Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: clocher

Just like neighbouring Saint-Denis-en-Margeride Fontans has lost most of its population over the last decade due to the rural exodus. Today about 200 people live near the 12th century church, dedicated to St. Peter. Four men are needed to ring the bells. The once probably single nave church got onviously enlarged later. The bells: www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYlLefhruAs

Just like neighbouring Saint-Denis-en-Margeride Fontans has lost most of its population over the last decade due to the rural exodus. Today about 200 people live near the 12th century church, dedicated to St. Peter. Four men are needed to ring the bells. The bells: www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYlLefhruAs

The romanesque cathedral Saint-Théodorit destroyed within the Cathar Cruisade, was rebuilt but destroyed again during the Wars of Religion. The church of today was constructed within the 17th century. Just the 12th century bell-tower, named today "Tour Fenestrelle" survived the centuries. The structure of the round bell-tower is pretty complex, as to be seen here. In the middle the head of a ram, very common within that time. Below over the pillar a human face.

The romanesque cathedral Saint-Théodorit destroyed within the Cathar Cruisade, was rebuilt but destroyed again during the Wars of Religion. The church of today was constructed within the 17th century. Just the 12th century bell-tower, named today "Tour Fenestrelle" survived the centuries (though "reconstructed" in the higher levels). The tower is round - and seems to be a very close cousin of the italian campaniles.

The village of Uchizy (about 9km south of Tournus) was first mentioned, when Louis II ( aka "Louis the Stammerer") donated it to the monastery St.- Philibert in Tournus in 878. The church was built late 11th century probably by monks from Tournus. On the left (under the tree, next to the transsept) is the main entrance. The area around Tournus is dotted with romanesque churches. Nearly every village has conserved it´s church. They are open - not locked up as otherwise.

The village of Uchizy (about 9km south of Tournus) was first mentioned, when Louis II (aka "Louis the Stammerer") donated it to the monastery St.- Philibert in Tournus in 878. The church was built late 11th century probably by monks from Tournus. The church has this nice bell-tower, constructed over the crossing. The highest level of the tower has different windows. It was added later, when it was used as a watchtower. The area around Tournus is dotted with romanesque churches. Nearly every village has conserved it´s church. They are open - not locked up as otherwise.

A priory existed here already, when after the Albingensian Crusade, Pope John XXII founded the diocese of Rieux in 1317. A couple of small dioceses were founded at that time (eg. Mirepoix, Saint-Papoul, Alet..) to increase the presence of Catholic "control" in the former Cathar area. The cathedral was built in the 14th century in the "gothique méridional" style. The tower is impressive. The diocese of Rieux existed upto the French Revolution. Now Rieux-Volvestre is a small, picturesque town with a population of about 2500. This was my seond visit here - and again, the cathedral was locked.

A priory existed here already, when after the Albingensian Crusade, Pope John XXII founded the diocese of Rieux in 1317. A couple of small dioceses were founded at that time (eg. Mirepoix, Saint-Papoul, Alet..) to increase the presence of Catholic "control" in the former Cathar area. The cathedral was built in the 14th century in the "gothique méridional" style. The tower is impressive. The diocese of Rieux existed upto the French Revolution. Now Rieux-Volvestre is a small, picturesque town with a population of about 2500. This was my seond visit here - and again, the cathedral was locked.

The village (mostly just named Moustiers) on the entrance of the "Gorges de Verdon", clings onto high cliffs. It even has a waterfall in the middle. No wonder, that it is one of the "Plus Beaux Villages de France". The parish church has this exceptional bell tower seen here. The tower was constructed within the 12th century in "lombardic style". But the best known landmark of Moustiers is not seen here: the star! Since centuries a long chain with a golden star connects both cliffs - and a phantastic story is connected to that star. When we visited Moustiers, the star was "in repair". Some weeks earlier "myshy" took a nice photo of the chain and the star - and there is the full story as well: www.flickr.com/photos/myhsu/4990518112/

The elegant tower of Saint-Eustache was severely damaged by cyclone Lothar, that swept over Europe. in December 1999. Meanwhile all repairs are done - and so this is again the highest "slate roofed" steeple in France (54m).