In the small town of Chartes outside of Paris, in 1194, a master-builder unwittingly created principles for the age of the Gothic Cathedral-the 13th Century-that would be followed to some degree by all those that came after him. The elevation was separated into three parts, or tiers, which in one fell swoop eliminated the need for a gallery. Also, the key design feature, that set the tone for an age, was of course the vaulting of the ceiling. It was quadripartite which did away with the necessity of alternating supports. In terms of the exterior, Chartres was built sans it five towers which were originally called for over the transepts. By forsaking these towers, a more airy, less serried look became apparent and in the vernacular of the contemporary.
Chartes was the first Cathedral to built entirely in the High Gothic style and was dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
One of its most celebrated features is the floor, which is festooned with an elaborate labyrinth, sometimes called a pavement maze. Unlike a labyrinth with high walls, it was flat of course, but it was still meant for one to walk through its trickeries, to hopefully reach the middle bit, described with a lovely flower which was meant to symbolize either that life was a bowl of flowers or that with careful erudition and determination, one could find enlightenment.