Association Chartres sanctuaire du Monde

Association Chartres sanctuaire du Monde (CSM) is a French non-profit association (association loi de 1901) founded in 1992 by Pierre Firmin-Didot, who presided over it until 2001. Its mission is to ensure the preservation and influence of Notre-Dame de Chartres Cathedral, one of the most important sites of medieval Western art and spirituality. The association raises funds from individuals and companies in France and abroad, and works in partnership with the French State, particularly the Ministry of Culture, to finance restoration projects — most notably the cathedral's stained-glass windows. CSM is governed by a president. After Pierre Firmin-Didot, Servane de Layre-Mathéus led the association from 2001 to 2020; since 2020 the presidency has been held by Jean-François Lagier. The association maintains close ties with its American sister organization, American Friends of Chartres (AFC), founded in New York in 2005 and recognized as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization in the United States. AFC's president is Monika Riely. CSM receives groups of American personalities who are sponsors of the cathedral in Chartres. Over the years CSM has contributed to the restoration of numerous stained-glass windows in the ambulatory, the upper choir, the south transept and the nave, as well as to the cleaning of the Chapel of the Apostles, the restoration of the choir organ, the steps of the high altar, and studies and restoration of the choir's liturgical furniture. Current projects include the restoration of the deposited statue-columns and the reinstallation of the stained-glass windows of the Saint-Piat chapel. In 2014 CSM received the Europa Nostra certificate, special mention of the jury, European Heritage Award, and created the label "Mécène de la cathédrale 2014" to recognize donors. The association publishes an annual newsletter and is authorized to issue tax receipts for donations, which are deductible at 60% for companies and 66% for individuals in France. Corporate sponsorship is governed by Article 238 bis of the French General Tax Code, allowing a 60% tax reduction up to 0.5% of turnover. CSM also participates in the Transnational Giving in Europe (TGE) network.

Association Chartres sanctuaire du Monde (CSM) was founded in 1992 by Pierre Firmin-Didot, who served as its president until 2001. The association was established as a non-profit organization under the French law of 1901, with the goal of ensuring the preservation and influence of Notre-Dame de Chartres Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and a major site of medieval art and spirituality. From 2001 to 2020, the presidency was held by Servane de Layre-Mathéus. During this period, CSM expanded its fundraising activities and strengthened its partnerships, notably with the French State and the Ministry of Culture, to finance the restoration of the cathedral's stained-glass windows. In 2005, the American Friends of Chartres (AFC) was founded in New York as a sister organization, recognized as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity, with Monika Riely as president. AFC maintains close contact with CSM and helps channel American donations to the restoration efforts. In 2014, CSM received the Europa Nostra certificate, special mention of the jury, European Heritage Award, recognizing its contribution to heritage preservation. That same year, it created the label "Mécène de la cathédrale 2014" to honor its donors. Since 2020, Jean-François Lagier has served as president. Over the decades, CSM has contributed to the restoration of numerous stained-glass windows in the ambulatory (including the Apostles window, St James the Great, St Stephen, St Julian the Hospitaller, St Thomas), the upper choir (Virgin in Majesty, Moses and Isaiah, David and Ezekiel, St Peter, St Martin and the rose of Count Thibaud), the south transept (south portal rose, participation in the removal of five lancets with AFC, St Denis window), and the nave (St Giles and St George window). Other contributions include cleaning of the Chapel of the Apostles, restoration of the choir organ, steps of the high altar, and studies and restoration of the choir's liturgical furniture. Current projects include the restoration of the deposited statue-columns and the reinstallation of the stained-glass windows of the Saint-Piat chapel. CSM receives donations from individuals and companies in France and abroad, including Crédit Agricole, La Vie, MMA, and Minoteries Viron de Chartres. It publishes an annual newsletter and is authorized to issue tax receipts for donations, which are deductible at 60% for companies and 66% for individuals in France. Corporate sponsorship is governed by Article 238 bis of the French General Tax Code, allowing a 60% tax reduction up to 0.5% of turnover. CSM also participates in the Transnational Giving in Europe (TGE) network.

• 2026

  American Friends of Chartres celebrates 20th anniversary and launches ChartresGuide.org.

• 2020

  Jean-François Lagier becomes president.

• 2014

  CSM receives Europa Nostra certificate, special mention of the jury, European Heritage Award.

• 2014

  CSM creates the label "Mécène de la cathédrale 2014".

• 2005

  American Friends of Chartres founded in New York.

• 2001

  Servane de Layre-Mathéus becomes president.

• 1992

  Association Chartres sanctuaire du Monde founded by Pierre Firmin-Didot.

Non-profit heritage preservation organization dedicated to the restoration and influence of Notre-Dame de Chartres Cathedral.

• Restoration of stained-glass windows

  Funding for restoration of windows in the ambulatory, upper choir, south transept, and nave.

• Corporate sponsorship program

  Tax-deductible donations from companies under Article 238 bis of the French General Tax Code.

• Annual newsletter

  Publication summarizing the association's patronage actions.

1. 1Chartres sanctuaire du Monde - Official websitechartres-csm.org
2. 2About the association - Chartres sanctuaire du Mondechartres-csm.org
3. 3Mécénat d'entreprise | Chartres Sanctuaire du Mondechartres-csm.org
4. 4Association Chartres sanctuaire du Monde - Wikidatawikidata.org
5. 5Association Chartres sanctuaire du Monde - Wikipédiafr.wikipedia.org