Brioude - Saint-Julien

The Basilica Saint-Julien in Brioude was a collegiate church constructed between 1100 - 1180. The structure is influenced by great romanesque churches like "Notre-Dame-Du-Port" in Clermont-Ferrand (70kms north) or "Saint-Austremoine" in Issoire (30kms north), planned and constructed within the same century.

Under the roof of the one of the five apse chapels are many corbels. Here are two, depicting - ape and man, a theme, that can be find on a capital in "Notre-Dame-Du-Port" as well. Note the vivid and wild expression of the monkey´s face, both small hands lifted up. He is really trying to frighten the spectator. Quite different compared to the stoic looking man.