Vienne (86) and Deux-Sèvres (79)

Within the 5th century some Agapit founded an oratorium here under the name of "Saint Saturnin". He was joined by Adjutor, who later changed his name to Maixent (and got canonized). Since then the place bears his name. The monastery prospered thanks to donations of the merovingian dynasty and around 650, Saint Leodegar of Poitiers (aka "Léger d'Autun") started his career here as abbot. He came from a noble family (son of Saint Sigrada, brother of Saint Warinus, uncle of Saint Leudwinus). Later Leodegar played an important part in the struggle between Neustria and Austrasia. He got exiled, blinded and murdered by his Frankish opponents in 679. The Norman raids forced the monks to leave the abbey for some decades, but finally they return with the relics of Saint Maixent and Saint Leodegar. A church was erected here in the 940s. In 1059 an earthquake destroyed that structure and a Romanesque church was built between the 11th and 13th century. This church got devasted by Calvinists in 1568, and so a Gothic church got built on the Romanesque foundations. Since the French Revolution this church served the parish. The buildings of the abbey were used by the armee " La Caserne des Bénédictins", by now they host ENSOA ("École nationale des sous-officiers d'active").

Within the 5th century some Agapit founded an oratorium here under the name of "Saint Saturnin". He was joined by Adjutor, who later changed his name to Maixent (and got canonized). Since then the place bears his name. The monastery prospered thanks to donations of the merovingian dynasty and around 650, Saint Leodegar of Poitiers (aka "Léger d'Autun") started his career here as abbot. He came from a noble family (son of Saint Sigrada, brother of Saint Warinus, uncle of Saint Leudwinus). Later Leodegar played an important part in the struggle between Neustria and Austrasia. He got exiled, blinded and murdered by his Frankish opponents in 679. The Norman raids forced the monks to leave the abbey for some decades, but finally they return with the relics of Saint Maixent and Saint Leodegar. A church was erected here in the 940s. In 1059 an earthquake destroyed that structure and a Romanesque church was built between the 11th and 13th century. This church got devasted by Calvinists in 1568, and so a Gothic church got built on the Romanesque foundations. Since the French Revolution this church served the parish. The buildings of the abbey were used by the armee " La Caserne des Bénédictins", by now they host ENSOA ("École nationale des sous-officiers d'active").

Within the 5th century some Agapit founded an oratorium here under the name of "Saint Saturnin". He was joined by Adjutor, who later changed his name to Maixent (and got canonized). Since then the place bears his name. The monastery prospered thanks to donations of the merovingian dynasty and around 650, Saint Leodegar of Poitiers (aka "Léger d'Autun") started his career here as abbot. He came from a noble family (son of Saint Sigrada, brother of Saint Warinus, uncle of Saint Leudwinus). Later Leodegar played an important part in the struggle between Neustria and Austrasia. He got exiled, blinded and murdered by his Frankish opponents in 679. The Norman raids forced the monks to leave the abbey for some decades, but finally they return with the relics of Saint Maixent and Saint Leodegar. A church was erected here in the 940s. In 1059 an earthquake destroyed that structure and a Romanesque church was built between the 11th and 13th century. This got devasted in 1568, when during the Wars of Religion Calvinists undermined the walls and so let the church collapse. When the dust had settled and the pile of rubble was sorted, a Gothic church was erected on the Romanesque foundations and obviously some Romanesque carvings, found in the rubble, got reused. One is this Romanesque capital, depicting two mermaids. As only the right one has scales, detailled fins and "combed" hair, the artist may not have completed his work.

Within the 5th century some Agapit founded an oratorium here under the name of "Saint Saturnin". He was joined by Adjutor, who later changed his name to Maixent (and got canonized). Since then the place bears his name. The monastery prospered thanks to donations of the merovingian dynasty and around 650, Saint Leodegar of Poitiers (aka "Léger d'Autun") started his career here as abbot. He came from a noble family (son of Saint Sigrada, brother of Saint Warinus, uncle of Saint Leudwinus). Later Leodegar played an important part in the struggle between Neustria and Austrasia. He got exiled, blinded and murdered by his Frankish opponents in 679. The Norman raids forced the monks to leave the abbey for some decades, but finally they return with the relics of Saint Maixent and Saint Leodegar. A church was erected here in the 940s. In 1059 an earthquake destroyed that structure and a Romanesque church was built between the 11th and 13th century. This got devasted in 1568, when during the Wars of Religion Calvinists undermined the walls and so let the church collapse. When the dust had settled and the pile of rubble was sorted, a Gothic church was erected on the Romanesque foundations and obviously some Romanesque carvings, found n the rubble, got reused. One is this Romanesque capital. Devouring lions can often be seen in churches, but these lions have very special tails, that started to fight each other.

Within the 5th century some Agapit founded an oratorium here under the name of "Saint Saturnin". He was joined by Adjutor, who later changed his name to Maixent (and got canonized). Since then the place bears his name. The monastery prospered thanks to donations of the merovingian dynasty and around 650, Saint Leodegar of Poitiers (aka "Léger d'Autun") started his career here as abbot. He came from a noble family (son of Saint Sigrada, brother of Saint Warinus, uncle of Saint Leudwinus). Later Leodegar played an important part in the struggle between Neustria and Austrasia. He got exiled, blinded and murdered by his Frankish opponents in 679. The Norman raids forced the monks to leave the abbey for some decades, but finally they return with the relics of Saint Maixent and Saint Leodegar. A church was erected here in the 940s. In 1059 an earthquake destroyed that structure and a Romanesque church was built between the 11th and 13th century. This got devasted in 1568, when during the Wars of Religion Calvinists undermined the walls and so let the church collapse. When the dust had settled and the pile of rubble was sorted, a Gothic church was erected on the Romanesque foundations, but somehow the crypt, filled with rubble got forgotten. It was "rediscovered" in 1875. It is believed that it dates back to the end of the 7th century, for the relics of St. Leodegard ("Leger"). Two sarcophags can be seen behind the altar.

Within the 5th century some Agapit founded an oratorium here under the name of "Saint Saturnin". He was joined by Adjutor, who later changed his name to Maixent (and got canonized). Since then the place bears his name. The monastery prospered thanks to donations of the merovingian dynasty and around 650, Saint Leodegar of Poitiers (aka "Léger d'Autun") started his career here as abbot. He came from a noble family (son of Saint Sigrada, brother of Saint Warinus, uncle of Saint Leudwinus). Later Leodegar played an important part in the struggle between Neustria and Austrasia. He got exiled, blinded and murdered by his Frankish opponents in 679. The Norman raids forced the monks to leave the abbey for some decades, but finally they return with the relics of Saint Maixent and Saint Leodegar. A church was erected here in the 940s. In 1059 an earthquake destroyed that structure and a Romanesque church was built between the 11th and 13th century. This got devasted in 1568, when during the Wars of Religion Calvinists undermined the walls and so let the church collapse. When the dust had settled and the pile of rubble was sorted, a Gothic church was erected on the Romanesque foundations, but somehow the crypt, filled with rubble got forgotten. It was "rediscovered" in 1875. It is believed that it dates back to the end of the 7th century, for the relics of St. Leodegard ("Leger"). Two sarcophags can be seen behind the altar.

Early morning in Parthenay, a very well fortified town, sited on a rocky spur, surrounded by the River Thouet. It has a (now ruined) castle inside and is known since the 11th century. Many pilgrims, following a branch of the Via Turonensis passed through here. The main gate of Parthenay still has the name of Saint Jaques. The church Sainte-Croix dates back to the 12th century, founded by Ebbon, Seigneur of Parthenay, when he returned from the cruisade. Since then a particle of the legendary True Cross, once discovered in the Holy Land by Empress Helena, was one of the treasures kept here. That is why the many pilgrims walked the detour via Parthenay. The church got rebuilt, renovated and remodeled many times. It was a Collegiate Church for a while. The tower seen here was built in 1457.

Parthenay is a very well fortified town, sited on a rocky spur, surrounded by the River Thouet. It has a (now ruined) castle inside and is known since the 11th century. Many pilgrims, following a branch of the Via Turonensis passed through here. The main gate of Parthenay, where the pilgrims entered the town, still bears the name of Saint Jaques. The church Sainte-Croix dates back to the 12th century, founded by Ebbon, Seigneur of Parthenay, when he returned from the cruisade. Since then a particle of the legendary True Cross, once discovered in the Holy Land by Empress Helena, was one of the treasures kept here. That is why the many pilgrims walked the detour via Parthenay. The church got rebuilt, renovated and remodeled many times. It was a Collegiate Church for a while. This small portal, decorated with a griffon-archivolt, is about the last remaining part of the old structure, I found outside.

Parthenay is a very well fortified town, sited on a rocky spur, surrounded by the River Thouet. It has a (now ruined) castle inside and is known since the 11th century. Many pilgrims, following a branch of the Via Turonensis passed through here. The main gate of Parthenay, where the pilgrims once entered the town, still bears the name of Saint Jaques. Notre-Dame-de-la-Couldre, built in the 12th century, was the parish church of Partenay, while Sainte-Croix (previous uploads) was a Collegiate church. In 1623 the church was taken over by Ursulines, who had a convent here. After the French Revolution the church was sold as "National Property". The new owner, a former priest, planned to establish a spinning mill, but failed - and ruined the buildings. In 1847 the Ursulines opened a private school and integrated the ruins into the surrounding buildings. The school is still existing, here is the website: www.ndlacouldre.com/ Only the lower section of the Romanesque facade and the apse survived the times. The facade, here seen from the sidewalk of the street, is very damaged. The specific style with the three arches, typical for the area of the Saintonge and Poitou is still visible. Most of the artworks, that could be moved out from here, are now in museums in Paris, Boston, New York, Cambridge ...

Parthenay is a very well fortified town, sited on a rocky spur, surrounded by the River Thouet. It has a (now ruined) castle inside and is known since the 11th century. Many pilgrims, following a branch of the Via Turonensis passed through here. The main gate of Parthenay, where the pilgrims once entered the town, still bears the name of Saint Jaques. Notre-Dame-de-la-Couldre, built in the 12th century, was the parish church of Partenay, while Sainte-Croix (previous uploads) was a Collegiate church. In 1623 the church was taken over by Ursulines, who had a convent here. After the French Revolution the church was sold as "National Property". The new owner, a former priest, planned to establish a spinning mill, but failed - and ruined the buildings. In 1847 the Ursulines opened a private school and integrated the ruins into the surrounding buildings. The school is still existing, here is the website: www.ndlacouldre.com/ Only the lower section of the Romanesque facade and the apse survived the times. The facade (previous upload) now seen from the right side, is very damaged. I learned, that the northern blind arch (right) had a equestrian statue, while the southern (left) depicted Samson and the lion. The specific style with the three arches, typical for the area of the Saintonge and Poitou is still visible. Most of the artworks, that could be moved out from here, are now in museums in Paris, Bostson, New York, Cambridge ... Early morning is not a good time to take photos of western portals...

Parthenay is a very well fortified town, sited on a rocky spur, surrounded by the River Thouet. It has a (now ruined) castle inside and is known since the 11th century. Many pilgrims, following a branch of the Via Turonensis passed through here. The main gate of Parthenay, where the pilgrims once entered the town, still bears the name of Saint Jaques. Notre-Dame-de-la-Couldre, built in the 12th century, was the parish church of Partenay, while Sainte-Croix (previous uploads) was a Collegiate church. In 1623 the church was taken over by Ursulines, who had a convent here. After the French Revolution the church was sold as "National Property". The new owner, a former priest, planned to establish a spinning mill, but failed - and ruined the buildings. In 1847 the Ursulines opened a private school and integrated the ruins into the surrounding buildings. The school is still existing, here is the website: www.ndlacouldre.com/ Only the lower section of the Romanesque facade and the apse survived the times. The facade (see previous upload) is very damaged. Here are two musicians, carved in the lavish "style saintonge". The left one holds a vielle, the right musician plays the harp. To the very right either Samson or Daniel and a lion. Most of the artworks, that could be moved out from here, are now in museums in Paris, Bostson, New York, Cambridge ..

Parthenay is a very well fortified town, sited on a rocky spur, surrounded by the River Thouet. It has a (now ruined) castle inside and is known since the 11th century. Many pilgrims, following a branch of the Via Turonensis passed through here. The main gate of Parthenay, where the pilgrims once entered the town, still bears the name of Saint Jaques. Notre-Dame-de-la-Couldre, built in the 12th century, was the parish church of Partenay, while Sainte-Croix (previous uploads) was a Collegiate church. In 1623 the church was taken over by Ursulines, who had a convent here. After the French Revolution the church was sold as "National Property". The new owner, a former priest, planned to establish a spinning mill, but failed - and ruined the buildings. In 1847 the Ursulines opened a private school and integrated the ruins into the surrounding buildings. The school is still existing, here is the website: www.ndlacouldre.com/ Only the lower section of the Romanesque facade and the apse survived the times. The facade is very damaged. Here are details of the four semicircular archivolts of the central arch. Crist and the Lamb of God (2nd), flanked by angels. The third archivolt has probably virtues and vices. Interesting is the fourth. Here are the "Elders of the Apocalypse", holding instruments and bottles of parfume. Mostly there are 24 Elders ( in the Saintonge upto 50), seated in a long row. Here are only six of them, in a horzontal position, fitting perfectly into the archivolt. Most of the artworks, that could be moved out from here, are now in museums in Paris, Bostson, New York, Cambridge ..

Gédouin and Ebo, Seigneurs of Parthenay, invited the monks from "La Chaise-Dieu" in the Auvergne (some 500kms south east), to establish a priory here in 1092. The parish church, that had existed here already before, got replaced then by the church seen now in the early 11th century. Despite the monks roots in the Auvergne the facade is done in the style, common to the area, so they obviously employed master builders with regional experiences. Meanwhile the priory is out of existence since centuries. The church and the remaining buildings are privately owned, but the church is not locked! Merci beaucoup!

Gédouin and Ebo, Seigneurs of Parthenay, invited the monks from "La Chaise-Dieu" in the Auvergne (some 500kms south east), to establish a priory here in 1092. The parish church, that had existed here already before, got replaced then by the church seen now in the early 11th century. Despite the monks roots in the Auvergne the facade is done in the style, common to the area, so they obviously employed master builders with regional experiences. Meanwhile the priory is out of existence since centuries. The church and the remaining buildings are privately owned, but the church is not locked! Merci beaucoup! The left blind arch of the facade. Samson tears the lion apart. Though the stature is damaged and weathered it is still very "dynamic". Nice examples for the "style saintongue" (also named "poitevine", as it can be found all over the Poitou) are the foliage-archivolts and the strings of similar/identical icons. Over the corbels are carved blocks. Each block has up to six identical "fox-heads". One of the capitals (left) has a nice hunting centaur.

Gédouin and Ebo, Seigneurs of Parthenay, invited the monks from "La Chaise-Dieu" in the Auvergne (some 500kms south east), to establish a priory here in 1092. The parish church, that had existed here already before, got replaced then by the church seen now in the early 11th century. Despite the monks roots in the Auvergne the facade is done in the style, common to the area, so they obviously employed master builders with regional experiences. Meanwhile the priory is out of existence since centuries. The church and the remaining buildings are privately owned, but the church is not locked! Merci beaucoup! The right blind arch of the facade. An equestrian statue. The Poitou has an astonishing number of these large carvings (eg Melle, Surgeres, Airvolt), that can not found often elsewhere. On all places, a small person is sitting on the ground and is trampled over. Most historians see Constantine the Great, triumphing over heathenism. Here, the statue has an even more imperial attitude, as the (crowned) rider holds a falcon, a clear attribute of rank and nobility. The outer archivolt has griffons all around (similar to Sainte-Croix, Parhenay), while the inner archivolt depicts ladies in bathtubes (?), what may connect to another story. Maybe..

Gédouin and Ebo, Seigneurs of Parthenay, invited the monks from "La Chaise-Dieu" in the Auvergne (some 500kms south east), to establish a priory here in 1092. The parish church, that had existed here already before, got replaced then by the church seen now in the early 11th century. Despite the monks roots in the Auvergne the facade is done in the style, common to the area, so they obviously employed master builders with regional experiences. Meanwhile the priory is out of existence since centuries. The church and the remaining buildings are privately owned, but the church is not locked! Merci beaucoup! The right blind arch of the facade. A closer look onto the equestrian statue. The Poitou has an astonishing number of these large carvings (eg Melle, Surgeres, Airvolt), that can not found often elsewhere. On all places, a small person is sitting on the ground and is trampled over. Most historians see Constantine the Great, triumphing over heathenism. Here, the statue has an even more imperial attitude, as the (crowned) rider holds a falcon, a clear attribute of rank and nobility. The inner archivolt depicts ladies in bathtubes. - These ladies may refer to Mélusine, a legendary water nymph, connected to the House of Lusignan. The oral myth about water-nymphs as very old, but this specific story, centered in the Poitou (around Parthenay) story was written down first time by Jean d'Arras. It got translated - and spread all over Europe. Wikpedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_d%27Arras

Gédouin and Ebo, Seigneurs of Parthenay, invited the monks from "La Chaise-Dieu" in the Auvergne (some 500kms south east), to establish a priory here in 1092. The parish church, that had existed here already before, got replaced then by the church seen now in the early 11th century. Despite the monks roots in the Auvergne the facade is done in the style, common to the area, so they obviously employed master builders with regional experiences. Meanwhile the priory is out of existence since centuries. The church and the remaining buildings are privately owned, but the church is not locked! Merci beaucoup! The western facade has some nicely carved details, one is this "luxuria" in a very extreme position. Under a string of cat's heads the woman is tortured by two lions (and two toads or snakes).

Gédouin and Ebo, Seigneurs of Parthenay, invited the monks from "La Chaise-Dieu" in the Auvergne (some 500kms south east), to establish a priory here in 1092. The parish church, that had existed here already before, got replaced then by the church seen now in the early 11th century. Despite the monks roots in the Auvergne the facade is done in the style, common to the area, so they obviously employed master builders with regional experiences. Meanwhile the priory is out of existence since centuries. The church and the remaining buildings are privately owned, but the church is not locked! Merci beaucoup! The western facade has nicely carved corbels. These corbels seem to be an advertisment for the local hairdresser, specialized in creating unique beards. Or are these men two medieval fashion victims?