Dordogne (24) and Corrèze (19)

..... "Saint Front". The cathedral was clearly "over restaurated" during the late 19th century. Paul Abadie, the architect, created a new coupole-style roof. Mr. Abadie later built another church, using a very similar design: Sacré-Cœur in Paris.

....the corner an old pilgrim was a looking down to the place behind the cathedral.....

...passed an old baptisterium. It was locked - and I could only see the outside...

One night we stayed with the Petits, who live here. About 5kms south of Bergerac

In this humble house - the great Bill Cody -"Buffalo Bill" - stayed overnight, when he visited Bergerac in October 1905. I learned all this from the little white sign.

Sarlat developed around a Benedictine abbey, founded in Carolingian times. The town flourished, even was the center of a diocese from 1317 on. Rebuilt after the Hundred Years War, the center of Sarlat has remained preserved - and by now is a major touristic center of the Perigord Noir area. In summer - it gets really crowded. Sainte-Marie was erected in Gothic style within the 14th and 15th century, replacing an older Romanesque church. It got consecrated in 1507. After the French Revolution it served as a factory for arms and gunpowder, bakery, coal storage... In 1834 the aspe got demolished. Meanwhile perfectly restored it serves as the "marche couvert" (market hall).

Saint-Martial is the church of a former abbey, that may be the oldest in the Périgord. Local traditions tell, that the abbey was founded by Saint Cybard (aka "Cybard d'Angoulême") within the 6th century. Documents prove an existence in Carolingian times. Norman raiders devastated the abbey in 849 and in 860, monks returned some decades later and rebuilt. During the heydays of medieval pilgrimage one of the many "chemins" to Santiago run through this valley, so this was a welcomed stop over for the "pelerins". The abbey suffered severely during the Hundred Years War, the nave of the church had to be rebuilt within the second half of the 15th century. The Wars of Religions caused more damage, when the abbey got looted by Protestant troops. The French Revolution finally put the monastic life to an end. Todays church may date to the 12th and 13th century, but many parts were added and rebuilt in later centuries. The structure is pretty massive with a total length of 46 meters.

Saint-Martial is the church of a former abbey, that may be the oldest in the Périgord. Local traditions tell, that the abbey was founded by Saint Cybard (aka "Cybard d'Angoulême") within the 6th century. Documents prove an existence in Carolingian times. Norman raiders devastated the abbey in 849 and in 860, monks returned some decades later and rebuilt. During the heydays of medieval pilgrimage one of the many "chemins" to Santiago run through this valley, so this was a welcomed stop over for the "pelerins". The abbey suffered severely during the Hundred Years War, the nave of the church had to be rebuilt within the second half of the 15th century. The Wars of Religions caused more damage, when the abbey got looted by Protestant troops. The French Revolution finally put the monastic life to an end. Todays church may date to the 12th and 13th century, but many parts were added and rebuilt in later centuries. The structure has a total length of 46 meters - and a massive tower.

Saint-Martial is the church of a former abbey, that may be the oldest in the Périgord. Local traditions tell, that the abbey was founded by Saint Cybard (aka "Cybard d'Angoulême") within the 6th century. Documents prove an existence in Carolingian times. Norman raiders devastated the abbey in 849 and in 860, monks returned some decades later and rebuilt. During the heydays of medieval pilgrimage one of the many "chemins" to Santiago run through this valley, so this was a welcomed stop over for the "pelerins". The abbey suffered severely during the Hundred Years War, the nave of the church had to be rebuilt within the second half of the 15th century. The Wars of Religions caused more damage, when the abbey got looted by Protestant troops. The French Revolution finally put the monastic life to an end. Todays church may date to the 12th and 13th century, but many parts were added and rebuilt in later centuries. The oldest part may be the massive tower (see previous upload). The ground floor of the tower, seen here, serves as a narthex.

Saint-Martial is the church of a former abbey, that may be the oldest in the Périgord. Local traditions tell, that the abbey was founded by Saint Cybard (aka "Cybard d'Angoulême") within the 6th century. Documents prove an existence in Carolingian times. Norman raiders devastated the abbey in 849 and in 860, monks returned some decades later and rebuilt. During the heydays of medieval pilgrimage one of the many "chemins" to Santiago run through this valley, so this was a welcomed stop over for the "pelerins". The abbey suffered severely during the Hundred Years War, the nave of the church had to be rebuilt within the second half of the 15th century. The Wars of Religions caused more damage, when the abbey got looted by Protestant troops. The French Revolution finally put the monastic life to an end. Todays church may date to the 12th and 13th century, but many parts were added and rebuilt in later centuries. The long nave is one of the "younger" parts.

Saint-Martial is the church of a former abbey, that may be the oldest in the Périgord. Local traditions tell, that the abbey was founded by Saint Cybard (aka "Cybard d'Angoulême") within the 6th century. Documents prove an existence in Carolingian times. Norman raiders devastated the abbey in 849 and in 860, monks returned some decades later and rebuilt. During the heydays of medieval pilgrimage one of the many "chemins" to Santiago run through this valley, so this was a welcomed stop over for the "pelerins". The abbey suffered severely during the Hundred Years War, the nave of the church had to be rebuilt within the second half of the 15th century. The Wars of Religions caused more damage, when the abbey got looted by Protestant troops. The French Revolution finally put the monastic life to an end. Todays church may date to the 12th and 13th century, but many parts were added and rebuilt in later centuries. The long nave is one of the "younger" parts - and of course these elegant vaults.

Saint-Martial is the church of a former abbey, that may be the oldest in the Périgord. Local traditions tell, that the abbey was founded by Saint Cybard (aka "Cybard d'Angoulême") within the 6th century. Documents prove an existence in Carolingian times. Norman raiders devastated the abbey in 849 and in 860, monks returned some decades later and rebuilt. During the heydays of medieval pilgrimage one of the many "chemins" to Santiago run through this valley, so this was a welcomed stop over for the "pelerins". The abbey suffered severely during the Hundred Years War, the nave of the church had to be rebuilt within the second half of the 15th century. The Wars of Religions caused more damage, when the abbey got looted by Protestant troops. The French Revolution finally put the monastic life to an end. Todays church may date to the 12th and 13th century, but many parts were added and rebuilt in later centuries. The long nave is one of the "younger" parts, but these two carvings may be reused, when it got rebuilt. The icon of two birds drinking from a chalice or fountain is older than Christianity. It developed into an Eucharistic symbol, associated with Baptism and Resurrection.

Trémolat (pop. ~600) developed around an abbey, that existed already within the 9th century. The village is placed between two loops of the river Dordogne. Here the former abbey church Saint-Nicolas and the village around are seen from the "Cingle de Trémolat", which is one of the loops.

Trémolat developed around an abbey, that existed already within the 9th century. There are many parallels to the village (and former abbey) Paunat (5kms north) in the history as well as in the architecture of Saint Nicholas, that now serves the parish. The tower may not be as old and massive as the tower in Paunat, but it is from the same time and was as well fortified. It got modified in Baroque times.

Trémolat developed around an abbey, that existed already within the 9th century. There are many parallels to the village (and former abbey) Paunat (5kms north) in the history as well as in the architecture of the church. Both abbeys have claimed to be founded by Saint Cybard (aka "Cybard d'Angoulême"), who may have been born in Trémolat around 500. During the heydays of pilgrimage to Santiago, the abbey in Tremolat belonged to the Cluniac network. I found a legend, that a "Holy Robe of Chirst Child" (given to the abbey by Charlemagne) was venerated here. Maybe a small version if the "Holy Robe" that is still kept in the Cathedral of Trier (Germany). Another "Holy Robe" is existed (upto the French Revolution) in Argenteuil (France). Charlemagne gave this to his daughter Theocrate, who was abbess there. That is what the legends tell.. The nave (with three domes) is dated 11th century, while the crossing (another dome) and the apse are a century younger.

The Chapelle de Tresséroux, once the center of a small priory dedicated to Saint Thomas, was abandoned for three centuries and had fallen into ruins, until "Les Amis de Tresséroux" cared for it. They raised more than 400.000 Euros for the restoration. Now the little 12th century chapel, next to the busy D709, is in good condition and used for concerts and exhibitions. When I visited, the chapel was locked. It is open at least one sunday per month over the summer. Here is more info: www.tresseroux.com/

This church, here seen from the parking lot, was a big surprise for me. It is visible that there is something strange, as the tower is just too massive.. It is not a "tower". This an octagonal chapel, that dates back to the 9th century. This is a Carolingian structure, related to Charlemagne´s octagonal "Palatine Chapel" in Aachen (= "Aix-la-Chapelle") and the oratory in Germigny-des-Prés. There is no town near. The chapel is placed "in the center of nowhere" next to the small river Isle. "LÍsle. Was there a ford? Many human bones were found during excavations, that may be even older than the rotunda. Was there a battle? Was there a cemetery? A "hospital"? Or was this a baptisterium? It is claimed here, that this is not the only such building in the Dordogne area, but in France! The Romanesque nave was added to the older structure within the 12th century.

This church, here seen from the parking lot, was a big surprise for me. It is visible that there is something strange, as the tower is just too massive.. It is not a "tower". This an octagonal chapel, that dates back to the 9th century. This is a Carolingian structure, related to Charlemagne´s octagonal "Palatine Chapel" in Aachen (= "Aix-la-Chapelle") and the oratory in Germigny-des-Prés. There is no town near. The chapel is placed "in the center of nowhere" next to the small river Isle. Was there a ford? Many human bones were found during excavations, that may be even older than the rotunda. Was there a battle? Was there a cemetery? A "hospital"? Or was this a baptisterium? It is claimed here, that this is not the only such building in the Dordogne area, but in France! The Romanesque nave was added to the older structure within the 12th century. The cemetery in front is modern.