The earliest Christian Labyrinth is believed to be the fourth century basilica of Reparatus, Orleansville, in Algeria. Sancta Eclesia is inscribed at the center, confirming that it was a Christian artifact. This labyrinth was created in the classical Roman style which means that it moves methodically from one quarter to another quarter. This is different than the normal medieval Christian labyrinth, whose patterns move through all four quarters instead of one by one.

The earliest labyrinth appearing on a wall is believed to be at St. Lucca Cathedral in Italy, dating back to the ninth century. This labyrinth is small, only 18 inches in diameter, and was designed to be traced with the fingers before entering the Cathedral. This was to quiet the mind before entering sacred space.

The Chartres Labyrinth was laid in the Cathedral floor between 1194 and 1220 A.D. The labyrinth is located in the central area of the Cathedral, approximately 50 paces after walking in through the main doors. It is 42 feet in diameter and the walking path is 16 inches wide. The total length of the walk within the labyrinth is 861.5 feet in length, almost a third of a mile. Normally there are chairs on it, but sometimes they are cleared and the public is able to walk it. The center of the labyrinth is 9 feet in diameter with six petals. The original centerpiece of the labyrinth was made of copper, brass, and lead. The metal was removed during the Napoleonic wars and was used as ammunition for cannons.