Burgundy / Bourgogne

The priory of Anzy-le-Duc was founded 876. When Hugues de Poitier, one of the founders, died here in the "odeur" of sanctity (930) the first pilgrims started to head for this place. The church (used as a parish church today, dedicated to the Assumption), was erected 1180 - 1230, when great numbers of pilgrims met here. The layout of the church is similar to the (ruined) church of nearby Charlieu: a basilica with a transept and five apses. During the Wars of Religion Huguenots destroyed the tomb of St. Hugh and in 1594 the church was set on fire. After the priory was dissolved in 1789 the church was sold and abandoned, before the villagers used it as a parish church in the early 19th century. The church in Anzy-le-Duc is known for it´s richness of carvings, and so it is probably the finest example of romanesque art in the Southern Burgundy. The carvings are remarkable for their workmanship, though they may differ in quality. Six different masters (or workshops) can be found, differing in style - and in themes and designs. Í will resist to upload all photos I took. A corbel. A sunbathing mermaid holding her tail. In 2000 German historian Matthias Hamann published two volumes titled "Die burgundische Prioratskirche von Anzy-le-Duc und die romanische Plastik im Brionnais", totalling more than 600 pages (and 599 pics). Here is an abstract in French and English: www.uni-muenster.de/Fruehmittelalter/Projekte/Cluny/BiblC...

The church of the former Priory Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Benoît is now the parish church of the village. When I visited Perrecy-les-Forges in April 2011 I had the impression, that the church and the museum were locked since years. Charles Martel, grandfather of Charlemagne and leader of the frankish armee in the Battle of Tours (732), gave the Perrecey estate to his brother Childebrand as a gift to thank him for defeating the Sarascens in the valleys of the Rhone and the Saône in 732. Childebrands heirs bequeated it to the abbey of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire. First monks settled here 880/885. Some parts of the westwork may date back to the 9th century. 1020/1030 a romanesque basilica was constructed here. 1120/1130 the large narthex was added, which is - a unique masterpiece. This capital in the narthex depicts a mermaid in the middle of the foliage all capitals here have. Similar to the nearby Luxuria, the carving is a bit rough - and somebody took the effort to destroy her face. Note the row of small holes, that seem to mark the belt.

The church of the former Priory Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Benoît is now the parish church of the village. When I visited Perrecy-les-Forges in April 2011 I had the impression, that the church and the museum were locked since years. Charles Martel, grandfather of Charlemagne and leader of the frankish armee in the Battle of Tours (732), gave the Perrecey estate to his brother Childebrand as a gift to thank him for defeating the Sarascens in the valleys of the Rhone and the Saône in 732. Childebrands heirs bequeated it to the abbey of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire. First monks settled here 880/885. Some parts of the westwork may date back to the 9th century. 1020/1030 a romanesque basilica was constructed here. 1120/1130 the large narthex was added, which is - a unique masterpiece. This capital - for me - is the most interesting in Perrecy-les-Forges. Decades ago during my first year at university I wrote an essay, dealing with the subject "Medieval Elephants". There were only three elephants during medieval times: Abul Abbas, a present from Harun al Raschid to Charlemagne. Abul Abbas reached Aix La Chapelle in 802 died 810 after swimming in the Rhine. The Cremona-elephant was a present from Al Kamil to Frederik II in 1229. The third elephant was brought to Europe by Louis IX (Saint Louis) in 1255. It was given to Henry III and died in London 1258. There was not a single elephant in Europe between 810 and 1229, and this capital was carved 1120/1130. - It may be, that the carver of this "exotic" capital, was a well travelled person, but I doubt it. It is a phantastic carving designed completely out of rumours about a giant animal living far behind the horiziont. The animal would have a large nose or trunk, long teeth - and totally "uncommon" feet. Over the distances, the size of the ears got lost and the feet got fanshaped, but that is all details. Actually these elephants are pretty precise! I have built up a collection of medivale elephants, if you want to see more, just follow the link: www.flickr.com/photos/martin-m-miles/galleries/7215762494.. .

The church of the former Priory Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Benoît is now the parish church of the village. When I visited Perrecy-les-Forges in April 2011 I had the impression, that the church and the museum were locked since years. Charles Martel, grandfather of Charlemagne and leader of the frankish armee in the Battle of Tours (732), gave the Perrecey estate to his brother Childebrand as a gift to thank him for defeating the Sarascens in the valleys of the Rhone and the Saône in 732. Childebrands heirs bequeated it to the abbey of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire. First monks settled here 880/885. Some parts of the westwork may date back to the 9th century. 1020/1030 a romanesque basilica was constructed here. 1120/1130 the large narthex was added, which is - a unique masterpiece. This capital - for me - is the most interesting in Perrecy-les-Forges. Decades ago during my first year at university I wrote an essay, dealing with the subject "Medieval Elephants". There were only three elephants during medieval times: Abul Abbas, a present from Harun al Raschid to Charlemagne. Abul Abbas reached Aix La Chapelle in 802 died 810 after swimming in the Rhine. The Cremona-elephant was a present from Al Kamil to Frederik II in 1229. The third elephant was brought to Europe by Louis IX (Saint Louis) in 1255. It was given to Henry III and died in London 1258. There was not a single elephant in Europe between 810 and 1229, and this capital was carved 1120/1130. - It may be, that the carver of this "exotic" capital, was a well travelled person, but I doubt it. It is a phantastic carving designed completely out of rumours about a giant animal living far behind the horiziont. The animal would have a large nose or trunk, long teeth - and totally "uncommon" feet. Over the distances, the size of the ears got lost and the feet got fanshaped, but that is all details. Actually these elephants are pretty precise! I have built up a collection of medivale elephants, if you want to see more, just follow the link: www.flickr.com/photos/martin-m-miles/galleries/7215762494...

The church of the former Priory Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Benoît is now the parish church of the village. When I visited Perrecy-les-Forges in April 2011 I had the impression, that the church and the museum were locked since years. Charles Martel, grandfather of Charlemagne and leader of the frankish armee in the Battle of Tours (732), gave the Perrecey estate to his brother Childebrand as a gift to thank him for defeating the Sarascens in the valleys of the Rhone and the Saône in 732. Childebrands heirs bequeated it to the abbey of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire. First monks settled here 880/885. Some parts of the westwork may date back to the 9th century. 1020/1030 a romanesque basilica was constructed here. 1120/1130 the large narthex was added, which is - a unique masterpiece. This capital - for me - is the most interesting in Perrecy-les-Forges. Decades ago during my first year at university I wrote an essay, dealing with the subject "Medieval Elephants". There were only three elephants during medieval times: Abul Abbas, a present from Harun al Raschid to Charlemagne. Abul Abbas reached Aix La Chapelle in 802 died 810 after swimming in the Rhine. The Cremona-elephant was a present from Al Kamil to Frederik II in 1229. The third elephant was brought to Europe by Louis IX (Saint Louis) in 1255. It was given to Henry III and died in London 1258. There was not a single elephant in Europe between 810 and 1229, and this capital was carved 1120/1130. - It may be, that the carver of this "exotic" capital, was a well travelled person, but I doubt it. It is a phantastic carving designed completely out of rumours about a giant animal living far behind the horiziont. The animal would have a large nose or trunk, long teeth - and totally "uncommon" feet. Over the distances, the size of the ears got lost and the feet got fanshaped, but that is all details. Actually these elephants are pretty precise! I have built up a collection of medivale elephants, if you want to see more, just follow the link: www.flickr.com/photos/martin-m-miles/galleries/7215762494.. .

Paray-le-Monial - Basilique du Sacré Coeur The "Basilique du Sacré Coeur" in Paray-le-Monial. The monastry existing since 974 became a dependency of nearby Cluny in 999. The first church "Paray I" was consecrated by Odilo of Cluny already in 1004. Though enlarged later to "Paray II" by the still existing westwork and narthex,abbot Hugh of Cluny started the building of now existing church "Paray III" in 1090. As it has lots of similarities to the only little older "Cluny III", it is sometime called "Small Cluny". Here are two bearded mermen from one of the pillars in the interior of the basilique. Look for their friend the mermaid - on the other photo!

The "Basilique du Sacré Coeur" in Paray-le-Monial. The monastry existing since 974 became a dependency of nearby Cluny in 999. The first church "Paray I" was consecrated by Odilo of Cluny already in 1004. Though enlarged later to "Paray II" by the still existing westwork and narthex,abbot Hugh of Cluny started the building of now existing church "Paray III" in 1090. As it has lots of similarities to the only little older "Cluny III", it is sometimes called "Small Cluny". Here is a mermaid from one of the pillars in the interior of the basilique. Look for her friend the merman - on the other photo!

The "Basilique du Sacré Coeur" in Paray-le-Monial. A monastry existing here since 974 became a dependency of nearby Cluny in 999. The first church "Paray I" was consecrated by Odilo of Cluny in 1004. Though enlarged later to "Paray II" by the still existing westwork and narthex, abbot Hugh of Cluny started the building of now existing church "Paray III" in 1090. As it has lots of similarities to the only little older "Cluny III", it is sometimes called "Small Cluny". Paray-Le-Monial played a role in the medieval pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. Today pilgims are back. Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque lived here, a nun and mystic, who had visions in 1673. She promoted devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. So Paray-le-Monial now again is a place of pilgrimage in France. Even the patronage of the basilique changed in the 19th century from "Basilique du Notre Dame" to "Basilique du du Sacré Coeur". I have already uploaded a lot of photos of Paray-le-Monial, I took during other visits. About a year ago, I found a beatiful mermaid on one of the many sculpted capitals in Paray-le-Monial. So this year l added a photo of one of her bearded male collegues, holding a fish.

Hugh of Cluny (aka "Hugh the Great", "Saint Hugh", "Hugh of Semur"), abbot of Cluny, was born in this little village (one of the "Plus beaux villages de France") in May 1024. Hugh had the third abbey church at Cluny (aka Cluny III) built, the largest structure in Europe for centuries. He as well had Paray-le-Monial built, he founded Charité-sur-Loire, he was the godfather of Emperor Henry IV (see "Goslar) and an important mediator in the Investiture Controversy. And Hugh had the former collegiate church Saint-Hilaire, a basilica on a "cluniacensic blueprint" built in his home-village. The construction started of the church 1120/1130. Here is the "complete couple" on that capital. This is the impression given, after having piously contemplated over the life of Saint Hillary, seen on the masterly carved lintel.

Hugh of Cluny (aka "Hugh the Great", "Saint Hugh", "Hugh of Semur"), abbot of Cluny, was born in this little village (one of the "Plus beaux villages de France") in May 1024. Hugh had the third abbey church at Cluny (aka Cluny III) built, the largest structure in Europe for centuries. He as well had Paray-le-Monial built, he founded Charité-sur-Loire, he was the godfather of Emperor Henry IV (see "Goslar) and an important mediator in the Investiture Controversy. And Hugh had the former collegiate church Saint-Hilaire, a basilica on a "cluniacensic blueprint" built in his home-village. The construction started of the church 1120/1130. To the right of the lintel, that tells a story out of the life of Saint Hillary, is this capital. A Luxuria with a snake and a toad. I have seen a couple of Luxurias over the time, but this one has, compared to others, a strange face. Either, she wears a cap - and these are hair hanging down, or she has a beard, or a combination out of these two. Or these are all wrinkels, standing as a symbol for an "old" and or "ugly" face. Luxuria is not alone, there is somebody around the corner. Seen on the next shot.

The church of the former Priory Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Benoît is now the parish church of the village. When I visited Perrecy-les-Forges in April 2011 I had the impression, that the church and the museum were locked since years. Charles Martel, grandfather of Charlemagne and leader of the frankish armee in the Battle of Tours (732), gave the Perrecey estate to his brother Childebrand as a gift to thank him for defeating the Sarascens in the valleys of the Rhone and the Saône in 732. Childebrands heirs bequeated it to the abbey of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire. First monks settled here 880/885. Some parts of the westwork may date back to the 9th century. 1020/1030 a romanesque basilica was constructed here. 1120/1130 the large narthex was added, which is - a unique masterpiece. This capital in the narthex depicts a "Luxuria", sitting/standing in a barrel/bathtube. I have the impression, she is sitting in a bathtube, hands cover her knees. - Compared to the warriors and angels seen here (and all the foliage around), the carving of the Luxuria and the two snakes seems a bit "rough". Even taking in account, that somebody took the effort to destroy her face.

Today Montréal is a small village (pop. 200), but here was already a fortified settlement, when the Normans raided the area and pillaged the place in 888. From the 11th century on here was a castle. Anseric I, Seigneur de Montréal, obviously listened to Bernard de Clairvaux, who preached the Second Crusade at near Vezelay in 1146. Returning home from the crusade Anseric I founded a collegiate and commissioned the erection of the collegiate church, seen here. The church was completed around 1170 by Anseric II. The convent existed upto the French Revolution. For a year, the church served as a "Temple de la Raison", the according inscription is fading over the portal, before it was converted into a parish church. Eugène Viollet-le-Duc was impressed by the church and cared for the restauration in the first half of the 19th century.

Today Montréal is a small village (pop. 200), but here was already a fortified settlement, when the Normans raided the area and pillaged the place in 888. From the 11th century on here was a castle. Anseric I, Seigneur de Montréal, obviously listened to Bernard de Clairvaux, who preached the Second Crusade at near Vezelay in 1146. Returning home from the crusade Anseric I founded a collegiate and commissioned the erection of the collegiate church, seen here. The church was completed around 1170 by Anseric II. The convent existed upto the French Revolution. During the Revolution, the tympanum got destroyed and when for a year, the church served as a "Temple de la Raison". The according inscription is fading over the doors, where once the tympanum was. Today church serves the parish. Eugène Viollet-le-Duc was impressed by the church, built during the transition from Romanesque to Gothic style, and cared for the restauration in the first half of the 19th century. He restored the nice portal. The polylobe arches seem influenced by Moorish architecture, a style, that was more common in Southern France. I learned, that the rose window, seen here, is one of the oldest of its kind in the whole of France.

Today Montréal is a small village (pop. 200), but here was already a fortified settlement, when the Normans raided the area and pillaged the place in 888. From the 11th century on here was a castle. Anseric I, Seigneur de Montréal, obviously listened to Bernard de Clairvaux, who preached the Second Crusade at near Vezelay in 1146. Returning home from the crusade Anseric I founded a collegiate and commissioned the erection of the collegiate church, seen here. The church was completed around 1170 by Anseric II. The convent existed upto the French Revolution. During the Revolution, the tympanum got destroyed and when for a year, the church served as a "Temple de la Raison". The according inscription is fading over the doors, where once the tympanum was. Today church serves the parish. Eugène Viollet-le-Duc was impressed by the church, built during the transition from Romanesque to Gothic style, and cared for the restauration in the first half of the 19th century. Inside the former collegiate church are some extraordinary choir stalls, carved in 1522. I wonder how they survived the time, when this was a "Temple de la Raison" during the Revolution. Here is the "Adoration of the Magi".

Today Montréal is a small village (pop. 200), but here was already a fortified settlement, when the Normans raided the area and pillaged the place in 888. From the 11th century on here was a castle. Anseric I, Seigneur de Montréal, obviously listened to Bernard de Clairvaux, who preached the Second Crusade at near Vezelay in 1146. Returning home from the crusade Anseric I founded a collegiate and commissioned the erection of the collegiate church, seen here. The church was completed around 1170 by Anseric II. The convent existed upto the French Revolution. During the Revolution, the tympanum got destroyed and when for a year, the church served as a "Temple de la Raison". The according inscription is fading over the doors, where once the tympanum was. Today church serves the parish. Eugène Viollet-le-Duc was impressed by the church, built during the transition from Romanesque to Gothic style, and cared for the restauration in the first half of the 19th century. Inside the former collegiate church are some extraordinary choir stalls, carved in 1522. I wonder how they survived the time, when this was a "Temple de la Raison" during the Revolution. Not all of the carvings have biblical scenes. Here are two clerics having a couple of large aperitifs. Prosit! Cheers! Santé!

Italian architect Sebastiano Serlio imported Italian Renaissance to Burgundy in designing this château. It was erected on older foundations 1544-1550. www.chateau-ancy.com/

Italian architect Sebastiano Serlio imported Italian Renaissance to Burgundy in designing this château. It was erected on older foundations 1544-1550. www.chateau-ancy.com/

The market hall in Sens, opened in 1882, is a wonderful example of the 19th century cast-iron architecture. It is a landmark just like the cathedral on the opposite side of the Place de la République.