passed, and spring became summer. I got to 380 when I realized I was walking too quickly the heels of a pair of black socks with skulls were in my line of sight ahead. the city began to carve a network of utility tunnels into Correction: A previous version of this article misstated the year and where photographer Ian Talty died. (Now thats what I call an exploratory herd.) Lexington Avenue in Saint Paul now has a tunnel enabling access to Como Park from the Midway, Minneapolis now has a connection under 35W between the Dinkytown Greenway and downtown, and the Samuel H Morgan trail along the east bank of the Mississippi has a bypass under 35E that avoids the freeway interchange. The most iconic tunnel in Saint Paul is the Selby Streetcar Tunnel, which was built in 1906 to enable electric streetcars to safely climb Cathedral Hill from downtown. Awesome website! @DanMarStP. The big water main runs directly under Wabasha Street on its way to the bridge, then heads over the river to the West Side, which had been annexed to St. Paul in 1874. An 1878 newspaper clipping on The Cave Dwellers reports that: Beneath Rogers block, in St Paul, there are a number of labyrinthian excavations made in the sand rock for sewerage and storage purposes, shaft holes connecting them with the buildings fronting on Third street [now Kellogg Boulevard]. a mention of how "the project was nearly disrupted by it be if beforehand we knew how to access places and what The community connection with the university began in the 1980s when it chose the Daytons Bluff site for its new headquarters. I rode through the Swede Valley tunnel for the first time back in February, after years of passing it by. seemed endless. A joint-use library [ edit ] Library sign for the joint Metropolitan University and Learning Center and the Dayton's Bluff Public Library. These tunnels were abandoned in 1953, when buses replaced streetcars. By 1893, St. Paul had passed an ordinance forbidding poles in the downtown area, too. At that time of night, it was safe to explore even the subterranean breakrooms of the water department workers, which were equipped with microwaves, TVs, and other amenities. Even now, when so many people are rediscovering hiking and bicycling as ideal social distancing activities, Fish Hatchery remains quiet and uncrowded. Located inside the Great Hall of the cathedral, this labyrinth is based on the design at Chartres, Frances. I brought along my construction worker costume, complete The concept of a sacred space includes other details thought to bring harmony such as the faux stained-glass medallions in the windows; photographs of trees; a prayer wall, and fabric art. Saint Paul, there were a whole bunch of tunnels. The second phase, planting the reflective gardens that will surround the labyrinth, were planned to be finished in 2014. We'd be robbed of the profound satisfaction Disable anytime. And I was like, this is the holy grail.. He was an avid gardener. Bottom: the Samuel H Morgan Trail crossing at 35E and the Gateway trail at Maryland Avenue. Within an hour of exploring Photo by: Rebecca Blissett. When the Twin Cities abandoned the streetcar system in 1954, the western end of the tunnel was paved over and the eastern end was sealed shut. (When did utilities become an attractive nuisance in our society? We've already risked The barred entrance to the Buzza Building tunnel near Dupont on the Greenway, The most contentious part of the project was how to accommodate existing businesses along the line whose access to the railroad would be cut by the trench. See more photos of St. Pauls labyrinth on the Vancouver Courier website, Sign in or register for your free account, St. Pauls labyrinth marks 20 years of walking meditation, A huge Pokmon championship is coming to Vancouver this month, Sea to Sky Gondola announces spring break events and activities, 'Hand up an elephant's a**': Canadian actor Eugene Levy hosts hilarious new travel show. It was the labyrinth that brought me here, she said. Finally, I would be remiss if I didnt mention the NE Yacht club, which does not in fact involve yachts but has a bona fide prohibition era smuggling tunnel, as the intrepid Bill Lindeke deftly reports. And to have such bike trails within a couple of miles from downtown St Paul is something quite special. https://saintpaulhistorical.com/items/show/249, Dayton's Bluff: Along East Seventh Street, Paths of Peace labyrinth and reflective garden, For more information and photographs of the. Paul. I woke up with the knowlege that I could The design represents a journey inward, to the center, and then after a period of reflection, a return to the outside world. Lets take a tour! I wonder how difficult it would be to do an open roof concept with that as well? No way. The St. Paul Gas Light Company was established in 1856. up with chains. And the Tunnels If you visit the Drewry tunnel, be sure to also see the Seventh Street Improvement Arches just a short distance to the south. Paul, Minnesota 55105 United States view map Directions/notes: This was an Eagle Award project coordinated by Scout Peter Kruse, member of the congregation. I couldnt find an exact date when researching online tho. extended to the buildings along the streets. read the newspaper every day. Somewhere under downtown I felt that it was an excellent way of getting caught. While there is no "right way" to walk a labyrinth, there is usually an entrance and path that leads walkers to the center. WebSt. was in my warped idea of heaven; the Labyrinth had been a circa 1925 via MNHS. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. He's a big bald guy, covered Just like their Wild West counterparts, the urban exploring community is a territorial, gritty bunch with often conflicting claims to the tunnels and caves that permeate the Twin Cities. In order to prevent this sort of subterranean tourism when the Republican National Convention came to St Paul in 2008, officials welded shut many of the manhole covers in the downtown area. Press J to jump to the feed. Looking westward toward Lake Phalen through the tunnel. stories deep, come in all sizes, and are in various states This is why the St. Pauls labyrinth is open to the public and not just members of its Anglican community where its used for myriad reasons, from reflection and grieving, to healing and celebration, said Connaughty. WebAt Metropolitan State University, the entrance to the labyrinth faces Seventh Street, and the path itself is made of grass and lined with bricks (you walk on the grass). Given the late hours, its no surprise that one report mentions getting a cup of coffee for 5 cents, presumably to remain wakeful during the expedition. This is a keeper!!! Fuck Sports. As for storm drains, there was one really big one, forming the lowest level in downtown St Paul, the St. Peter-Rondo tunnel, which drained the interstates in the vicinity. next morning, I woke up with more than a hangover and clothing an article about the construction of the Xcel Energy Center Our Christian history with labyrinths goes back to the Middle Ages with the creation of the large one inside Chartres Cathedral near Paris, France, in the early thirteenth century. I was at a punk show. Love the history, love the familiar places! Then the lighter goes out for good, and we had Occasionally wed come across rat mummies, desiccated in the desert heat of the sandy tunnels. The active utility systems and caught my eye while I was online. Instead, because of land acquisition and other complicating issues, the trail through the tunnel has yet to be completed and the tunnel has been languishing for eight years. And it just kept getting better the on, this system grew to be a complicated maze with more and The tunnels also connected to the riverbank, where finished cars were lowered down an elevator to be loaded onto river barges. The tunnel inhabitants could see our silhouettes perfectly as we entered, while we could only vaguely sense their flitting forms, putting us at a disadvantage. Company, which sold greeting cards and inspirational posters, opted to build a rail spur through a tunnel to their buildings basement. I was exploring Swede Hollow last summer, and stumbled upon the Drewry Tunnel, and hot hockey, I was shocked and almost lost my chain downshifting for that steep climb. Holy SHIT!" WebSt. The first phase-installing the labyrinth-was completed in 2013. Back in the Twin Cities, a more prolific, if slightly less detailed, urbex website known as Action Squad serves a similar purpose to bolster alienated explorers. ours so that you can explore virtually from home so stay The busy Milwaukee Road cut through the width of the city at grade just north of Lake Street. to forbidden places, the "holy shit! But even today, you can smell the sandrock tunnel which serviced the Selby tunnel, through one of the ventilation portals near the Cathedral, marking the deepest shaft in the utility system. You know, now that you mention it, I think I have noticed the East Phalen tunnel. , Ah, well, I do have 5. Paul, Minnesota 55105 United States view map Directions/notes: This was an Eagle Award project coordinated by Scout Peter Kruse, member of the congregation. St. Pauls utility labyrinth is bounded like a box: on the top by limestone, on the bottom by river level, on the north by the deep gash of Interstate 94, on the east by Lowertown (a valley where the sandstone is absent altogether), on the south by the river bluffs, and on the west by Seven Corners. An He declined to comment to avoid further criticism. In fact, 5% of the countrys daily freight traffic passes through Westminster Junction and the Division Street Wye, which is located just south of Westminster between Union Depot and Daytons Bluff. Its always been painfully difficult to bike out of downtown to the west. I suppose I could have told them I was searching for the Winter Carnival medallion. not try to access the Labyrinth! In a way, it is a metaphor for the life of faith. now we had the 15 year-old hazy recollection of a drunken Looking up from the bottom of a manhole shaft, I could tell that the parade was passing overhead. WebSt. working outward in concentric circles, noting possible entrances. I . a complete virtual tour of the system that you can enjoy without During my visit there was a quiet lineup at the entrance where the founder of the St. Pauls labyrinth, Rev. There is a simple sign explaining how to walk the labyrinth, essentially: respect others meditation, remove your shoes, find your own pace and relax. The St. Pauls labyrinth is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon and Sundays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Evening openings include Friday nights from 7 to 9 p.m. (the last Friday of the month features live music with recorded music on the other Fridays). Small wormholes would unexpectedly open up into large rooms. They correctly note that sealed tunnels can be deadly and that cell phones dont work underground. Loading cars unto barges. It could be Saint Pauls answer to the Stone Arch Bridge. The yellowing pages are filled with humorous details of their escapades, as when you were requested to Park and make sure no ones watching you. It seems the students actually enjoyed being chased by the utility workers, however, and brazenly invading the NSP plant itself, they used to purchase food from the vending machines. WebThe David Barton Labyrinth and Reflective Garden is located just west of Maria Avenue and East Seventh Street on the Metropolitan State University campus. The idea of Henry Ford himself, the tunnels were a sand mine for the plants glass factory. They are only unsafe if you dont bring a flashlight or are intending on lighting a fire (which is really dumb). The upper hall at the time was primarily used for storage and required much cleaning and repairing of the hardwood floors. territory brings. Of course, its virtually impossible to completely seal off something like a tunnel, and for decades the city has fought a losing battle trying to keep out homeless people seeking shelter and urban explorers seeking adventure. Came here to reccomend Action Squad! WebThe building is located only a few blocks from downtown Saint Paul and the Minnesota State Capitol. Melissa Wenzel. Of course, reopened is a loose term, given urban exploring was the main reason the cave was shut down. In the early 1900s, South Minneapolis faced a similar problemtoo many trains. the signs all pointed to this being the access point Thursday: 8am-8pm None so far have panned out. I called her, convinced her it would be a ton As far as safety goes, just be smart and don't get caught. WebSt. way in. For Christians, who are called to center their lives on Christ, walking the labyrinth can be a beneficial spiritual discipline. St. Pauls labyrinth is almost a half-kilometre long from start to finish. The entrance to the Metropolitan State University labyrinth faces 7th street, and the path itself is made of grass lined with bricks. 22 E. Chestnut Hill Ave., stpaulschestnuthill.org Delaware Art Museum Labyrinth, Wilmington But Anderson said it was a YouTube video featuring a common hideout like this one that prompted a fellow explorer to send him death threats. Ground was broken in 1991 for a new thirteen million dollar headquarters that was put up where the original hospital building had been, and the first phase of the project was officially opened in 1994. Check out the great view of the James J. Hill house, Cathedral of St. Paul and Mississippi River bluffs. Posts like this are why I started following Streets.MN so many years ago. While not nearly as prized or occult as the Labyrinth, he fears it will be closed if police catch wind it has reopened. By 1905, the American District Steam Company began service to the St. Paul Loop through steam tunnels that it had carved in the sandrock. But no one seems to be holding their breath. discovery to guide us. similarly useful was lacking. These subterranean structures It was the beginning of the fireworks show on Harriet Island. The warm tunnels prevented the mains from freezing during cold Minnesota winters. The active utility systems within are under tight security, especially after the events of 9/11. Shed signal when to enter so there would be enough space between people, much like the job of a kid working at the top of a waterslide. I can't remember where it was but I don't think there is easy access- you'll likely have to trespass. Contact: Phone: 651-227-6311 Tuesday: 8am-8pm It was then that I knew Owing to the pervasive asbestos contamination from deteriorating pipe-wrap, which menaced utility workers until it was removed in recent years, asbestos fibers covered the floor like snow in certain tunnels, and the more health-conscious among us wore respirators. WebThe building is located only a few blocks from downtown Saint Paul and the Minnesota State Capitol. The The Twin Cities, however, has never had a large population of Mole People like New York City, in the sense of people who live in subway and train tunnels. The first destination they share is less interesting, and they accompany any curious newcomers, observing how the explorer interacts with the space. Pauls Cathedral has two labyrinths on its campus: Courtyard Labyrinth Located outdoors in the courtyard facing Sixth Avenue and Balboa Park, this labyrinth is open during daylight hours and for special cathedral events. Theres also been little mention of what will happen to the riverfront Ford property between the dam and Hidden Falls Park. WebDo not try to access the Labyrinth! door had been there was now only an unbroken cement wall. Four of these tunnels remain and are heavily used to this day, the only active train tunnels in the state. the Metro/State section, and the Variety section, anyway. It is an eight circuit labyrinth, meaning that there are basically eight concentric circles in the path from entry to center. one of the utility tunnels that we'd been seeking, and asked we also got good and bored. It opened as a sacred space in 1997. About a mile and a half long, the tunnel cut into the sandstone bluffs in an inverted V shape, wide enough for two trucks to pass and taller than a telephone pole. Competition among the power companies led to duplicate tunnels on opposite sides of the street, but in 1916, Northern States Power Company was incorporated, and several formerly separate parallel tunnel systems were now joined under one banner. WARNING!!! The labyrinth is surrounded by seven haiku poems. That It is a shame to see something go to waste! be considered a very serious offense. the wrong side of town, planning on how we could climb the for places to explore: there are always blurbs on some historical Im a volunteer for the Minnesota Streetcar Museum (since 2018, so not an expert), but if my memory serves, the pedestrian underpass near the 42nd St./Lake Harriet station is original to the Twin City Lines system. Certainly worth a visit! to break an axle. A man stepped over one of the labyrinth paths to head in a different direction, and I waited for somebody to raise the alarm on the line-jumper. The air in the utility labyrinth was indeed hot, even though the system was naturally ventilated by strong convection updrafts, the air entering at holes under the Wabasha Bridge and whistling up through manhole lids in the downtown streets. Its purpose was to grade separate the tracks from the considerable crowds traveling to Lake Harriet. There was talk about using the Ford tunnels to lay some of the new utilities for the Ford site redevelopment, but havent heard much about that since, so Im guessing that idea has been forgotten. For more than a century, Swede Hollow was a slum that the rest of the city chose to ignore. Lets look at each of these utilities in turn. The current choices are steep hills, high car traffic, or a long detour (pick 2). (Nowadays, of course, natural gas is used mainly for heating and cooking, not illumination.) Jimmy then recounted finding a tunnel The tunnel originally spanned 1,472 feet from just downhill of the Cathedral to the intersection of Nina Street and Selby. WebThe David Barton Labyrinth and Reflective Garden is located just west of Maria Avenue and East Seventh Street on the Metropolitan State University campus. The path moves forward, often looping back in the direction from whence you came, only to keep leading you toward the Center. of 9/11. The entrance is off Portland Avenue, across from the playground. Damn, it's frickin' great tunnels under Saint Paul. Action Squad. I have a variety of experiences, but, basically, its a walking meditation a number of us are not ones to sit in lotus position. Most of the citys warehouses, however, were concentrated in Lowertown near the docks. Toggle the visibility of the Accessibility Toolbar, Local band Harlow brings poignant sound to Turf Club. And This is an exploration of the notable local tunnels past and present that can be visited on foot or by bike. to come look for it with us in a week or two, and gave me down and on the side of a very busy street. Primary focus is on the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul and surrounding suburbs. On the other side of downtown, railroads faced the same vertical challenge. We're Pedestrians arent allowed, but if you bike down the Rabbit Hole, youll see just how decrepit the structure under Kellogg has become since it was built in the 1930s. I jokingly asked my friend, in a loud voice, what would happen if someone knew we were down here. In 1997, when the present Science Museum of Minnesota was under construction, the bordello site was dug up and yielded 14,000 artifacts. But details, like street names and entrances, were later stripped from the map, plunging the Labyrinth back into obscurity. Web"The tunnel story starts in downtown St. Paul in the 1840s, when the city began to carve a network of utility tunnels into its underlying sandstone bedrock. At in the street we'd in theory be able to gain access without I love streets.mn because I learn something almost every week. The first phase, installing the labyrinth, was completed in 2012. Good luck have fun! How long could an extensive tunnel system hope Maybe two. Beginning in 1982, the Saint Paul Jaycees used the tunnels every fall for their Tunnel of Terror fundraiser, a truly epic haunted house with real live bats that flew out of the tunnel at dusk. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Friday: 10am-6pm The Selby tunnel allowed St. Pauls cable cars to get to the top of the plateau behind the downtown. WebAt Metropolitan State University, the entrance to the labyrinth faces Seventh Street, and the path itself is made of grass and lined with bricks (you walk on the grass). Occasionally the gas would leak out into the tunnels, leading to flying manhole lids if accidentally ignited. The St. Pauls labyrinth is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon and Sundays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Evening openings include Friday nights from 7 to 9 p.m. (the last Friday of the month features live music with recorded music on the other Fridays). Wading through waist-deep raw sewage in one tunnel, we actually came to a stairway leading steadily downwards, as if it was going to pass entirely under the river, but it stopped short at a large sewer vault. The most iconic tunnel in Saint Paul is the Selby Streetcar Tunnel, which was built in 1906 to enable electric streetcars to safely climb Cathedral Hill from downtown. But come on. But the holes led to a maze of crawlspaces around old building foundations in the Kellogg area, and it was for some reason utterly infested with centipedes, which I tried not to get down my collar. The only solution was to build a series of five tunnels, allowing the tracks to criss-cross in a Y shape (known as a Wye in railroad lingo.). I The labyrinthis a tradition dating from ancient Greece. It combines natural beauty, steep hills, deeply kept secrets, a stark contrast between wealth and poverty, a partially abandoned brewery, an amazing bridge, abandoned railroads, and an excellent tunnel. that was all I was able to find out. Taking it at speed feels bracingly out of control on a road bike. Theyre like, This is my cave, I want to be able to come back here, said junior Nathan Anderson, an explorer in the Twin Cities. Squad's "Slim Jim"), a local punk who has been around aware of the other Twin City's potential for underground adventuring. that reeked of smoke. Enable push notifications on your device. It represents a journey to our own center and back again out into the world. 22 E. Chestnut Hill Ave., stpaulschestnuthill.org Delaware Art Museum Labyrinth, Wilmington within are under tight security, especially after the events Ive been enjoying seeing your Twitter posts about these tunnels, and so thankful you put them all together for thus article! into the bluff along Shepherd Road but then dead-ended. We have Eastside bicycle advocate Melissa Wenzel to thank for urging the city and state to reopen the trail, which was closed for three years due to erosion. systems in the 80's told us about his old entrance: a door Navigating these initiations can be tricky. The Gateway Trail advocacy group reports that these issues may be nearing resolution and trail construction may begin as early as next year. Pauls downtown area being honeycombed with more tunnels than perhaps any other city in the world.. Or it could have been the speeches of appreciation in that low ceremonial light for Friday nights 20th anniversary celebration of the St. Pauls labyrinth. This tunnel ran right under the Ramsey County jail and doubtless the inmates occasionally watched our doings. With eight offshoots, this grotto was just a fraction of the Labyrinths size. These subterranean structures usually followed the streets above, and offshoots or drifts extended to the buildings along the streets. completely distinct tunnel system. As far as safety goes, just be smart and don't get caught. The little I was able to dredge up, however, I became alarmed until I realized that it was just a daily fluctuation, involving snow that had melted during the warmer winter midday. For more information, cast your pale blue eyes on Greg Bricks chapter titled The Velvet Underground. we were drunk as shit, walking around after bar close. skulls. /r/twincities is the most popular general content subreddit for all of Minnesota! You are safer in them than you are walking across the street. Its been claimed that the sons of many well-to-do families were sent to this bordello upon coming of age, to learn the basic manuevers. Rumor has it, the entrance has been blocked due to construction. The tunnels can be seen from the Lafayette overpass east of University and from Phalen Boulevard east of Olive Street, where a small interpretive display overlooks the two small tunnels. The bottom of the Rabbit Hole, which ascends up through the middle of Kellogg Boulvard in Saint Paul. WebThe labyrinth is a symbolic form of pilgrimage; you can walk the path for contemplation, meditation, and spiritual renewal. After squeezing back through the claustrophobic entrance, he turned around to carefully obscure the portal from view, and checked in again to ensure the entrance of the cave wont be published. City engineer George M. Shepards typical cross-section of Wabasha Street, published in a 1937 newspaper article, gives you the flavor of these catacombs, St. o' fun to come scouting with me. landmark being slated for demolition, or on plans to renovate lighter. WebThe Labyrinth, which graces the east entrance to St. Paul church, is a tool for prayer and quiet contemplation. WebThis was quite a few years ago but at that time, there was only one entrance (that I had heard of) and it required hopping a fence. In fact, there is a passage going under the river, a siphon bringing raw sewage over from the West Side, via Navy Islandbut nothing that a human being could pass through. WebThe labyrinth is a symbolic form of pilgrimage; you can walk the path for contemplation, meditation, and spiritual renewal. It is a new way to experience the setting of St Paul church. The St. Pauls labyrinth is painted on the wooden gym floor of the top floor of the old church hall in the West End, and its painted lines intersect with the thin and fading lines of a basketball court. A cave explorer illuminates a portion of an underground cave. Minutes I never had a chance to go in the labyrinth but one of my friends did. Though less hesitant to give insights on the Cities depths, Anderson isnt eager to attract the urbex communitys attention and vitriol either. It is an eight circuit labyrinth, meaning that there are basically eight concentric circles in the path from entry to center. it, though, it wasn't open anymore.". Like street names and entrances, were later stripped from the considerable traveling. Of Minnesota was under construction, the entrance has been blocked due to construction been was! Labyrinth but one of my friends did cold Minnesota winters learn something almost every week these tunnels and. Suppose I could have told them I was like, this is the most popular general content for... Minneapolis and St. Paul had passed an ordinance forbidding poles in the downtown area, too thats I! Passing it by River bluffs the Reflective gardens that will surround the labyrinth were. And Trail construction may begin as early as next year to trespass happen if knew. Got good and bored damn, it is a metaphor for the Winter Carnival.... ' great tunnels under Saint Paul, there were a whole bunch of tunnels what I call exploratory. Which ascends up through the middle of Kellogg Boulvard in Saint Paul and surrounding.... Doubtless the inmates occasionally watched our doings couldnt find an exact date when online. Are called to center go in the street into the tunnels, leading to flying manhole lids if accidentally.... Cave explorer illuminates a portion of an underground cave had a chance to go in the downtown have! The James J. Hill house, cathedral of St. Paul gas Light Company was established in 1856. with! Hardwood floors that cell phones dont work underground of course, natural gas used! Have such bike trails within a couple of miles from downtown Saint Paul and Mississippi bluffs... To learn the rest of the Labyrinths size they share is less interesting, they... Note that sealed tunnels can be deadly and that cell phones dont work.! That it is a symbolic form of pilgrimage ; you can walk the path forward. First time back in February, after years of passing it by inside great! We also got good and bored was now only an unbroken cement wall the second,... The main reason the cave was shut down drunk as shit, walking around after close! Are walking across the street tradition dating from ancient Greece at Maryland Avenue I ca n't remember it. Leading you toward the center the docks Ah, well, I think have! Did utilities become an attractive nuisance in our society been little mention of what will to... 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And Trail construction may begin as early as next year inspirational posters, opted to build a rail through... Bluff Public Library here, she said was searching for the plants glass.... Remain and are heavily used to this day, the entrance is off Avenue. To comment to avoid further criticism from start to finish Cities depths, isnt... Circuit labyrinth, were later stripped from the map, plunging the labyrinth had been there now. Call an exploratory herd., given urban exploring was the beginning of the utility that... Second phase, planting the Reflective gardens that will surround the labyrinth been. To keep leading you toward the center an exploratory herd. always been painfully difficult to out! Our society in 1997, when so many years ago Local tunnels past and present can... Have noticed the East Phalen tunnel names and entrances, were planned to be holding breath! In our society the rest of the Labyrinths size to center their lives Christ... The explorer interacts with the space to their buildings basement, just be smart and do n't think there easy! Access point Thursday: 8am-8pm None so far have panned out at Chartres, Frances the notable tunnels... Moves forward, often looping back in the 80 's told us about his old entrance: door...