OK I found it,
The error was the ColumnSeries was missing the Title attribute, like this:
<charting:Chart Name="columnChart" Grid.Row="1" Grid.Column="1" Width="400" Height="400">
<charting:Chart.Series>
<charting:ColumnSeries
Title="Chart Title"
ItemsSource="{Binding items}"
IndependentValueBinding="{Binding Name}"
DependentValueBinding="{Binding Value}"
IsSelectionEnabled="True">
</charting:ColumnSeries>
</charting:Chart.Series>
</charting:Chart>
It seems that the Title attribute is mandatory.