Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: 95

The river Seine seen from the bank at La Roche-Guyon. White limestone cliffs flank the northern riverside. Imagine 120 Viking boats, carrying about 5000 Normans, rowing up the river Seine in March 845. The Normans raided and looted Paris and only withdrew after being paid 7000 livres ransom (so called "Danegeld") by Charles the Bald. The Normans returned again in the 860s and secured loot or ransom, but 885-886 the city walls of Paris held.

La Roche-Guyon (pop. ~ 450) grew around the Château de La Roche-Guyon, built in the 12th century, to control the river Seine. Abbot Suger (St. Denis) wrote about the castle, that it was "invisible on the surface, dug in a high rock". Being on the border to the Normandie the castle had some stragetic importance. The Guy de La Roche family were the lords from the 10th to the 15th century. In the 12th century, Guy de la Roche was a vassal of Philip II of France, who rewarded his loyalty by granting him the toll for boats sailing on the Seine. In the 14th century, a mansion was built at the foot of the rock and a secret passage was dug to the upper castle. The strategic importance got lost. In the 18th century a representative entrance, terraces, a large salon, a library and even a small theater were built. Today the village, named after Guy de la Roche is one of the "Plus beaux villages de France" ("most beautiful villages of France").

La Roche-Guyon (pop. ~ 450) grew around the Château de La Roche-Guyon, built in the 12th century, to control the river Seine. Abbot Suger (St. Denis) wrote about the castle, that it was "invisible on the surface, dug in a high rock". Being on the border to the Normandie the castle had some stragetic importance. The Guy de La Roche family were the lords from the 10th to the 15th century. In the 12th century, Guy de la Roche was a vassal of Philip II of France, who rewarded his loyalty by granting him the toll for boats sailing on the Seine. Today the village, named after Guy de la Roche, is one of the "Plus beaux villages de France" ("most beautiful villages of France").

La Roche-Guyon (pop. ~ 450) grew around the Château de La Roche-Guyon, built in the 12th century, to control the river Seine. The town hall and the "halle de la marie" was inaugurated in 1847. Since some decades La Roche-Guyon is one of the "Plus beaux villages de France" (“the most beautiful villages of France”).

Troglodytic dwellings may have existed here already in prehistoric times. Most of the population lived in troglodytic caves still in the 19th century. The church was dug into the limstone cliff in 1670-1673 at the expense of Nicolas Dongois, who was the lord of the place.

In the 9th century, the Normans had a camp here from where they prepared the lootings in Paris. A castle existed in the 11th century. Vétheuil suffered during the Hundred Years' War - and is well known meanwhile as impressionist Claude Monet lived here from 1878 - 1881. During this time he produced some 150 paintings. Notre-Dame de Vétheuil is seen on at least four paintings. The construction of the church began end of the 12th century. Apse and crossing tower were completed in the 13th century. Later the construction of the nave was continued in flamboyant Gothic style. It was finally completed in the 16th century with a Renaissance portal.

Just like Saint-Martin in Cormeilles-en-Vexin (previous uploads) this church was transferred to the Abbey of Saint Denis by Jean d'Ivry, archbishop of Rouen, in 1071. Not much has survived from that early times, as the church, surrounded by flowering lilacs, got remodeled and extended numerous times over the centuries.

A church was mentioned here the first time in 1071, when William, abbot of Saint Denis, and Jean d'Ivry, archbishop of Rouen, discussed the revenues from here. What a contrast! The church was erected over at least two periods. The Romanesque nave was started late 11th/early 12th century. The Gothic chancel to the right was completed mid 13th century. Here the ties to Saint Denis are interesting, as Abbot Suger, rebuilding the Basilique Saint-Denis, had created a very new style with the support of some revolutionary masons/architects. So the Gothic chancel seen here, is for sure, strongly influenced by the "new choir" in Saint Denis. .. and another bricked up side portal...

A church was mentioned here the first time in 1071, when William, abbot of Saint Denis, and Jean d'Ivry, archbishop of Rouen, discussed the revenues from here. The Romanesque facade of Saint-Martin, created a few decades later, is not really spectacular. Unfortunately the owner of that car, parked in front of the door, did not have the keys to the church.

A plane creates a contrail over Le Bellay-en-Vexin. The erection of "Sainte-Marie-Madeleine", below the blue sky, started probably within the early 12th century. The base of the bell tower is Romanesque. I could not see the capitals inside, as the church was locked, but I learned, that they are Romanesque as well. It must have taken a long period to complete the structure - and it looks, that from that moment on the remodelling process started. Here again is a bricked up side portal.

Santeuil, just about 2kms south of Brignancourt (previous uplaod), hosts this wonderful parish church. "Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul" was built on a hillock between mid 12th century (apse, transept, bell tower) and the early 13th century (nave). It was erected in the very early Gothic style, that still was blended with many Romanesque parts. As the church never got damaged by wars or restauration, this is very much, how it must have looked 1250. Here, on a corbel, a nude beard-puller or a nude flutist, holding a pan flute, is falling down from heaven.

Santeuil, just about 2kms south of Brignancourt (previous uplaod), hosts this wonderful parish church. "Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul" was built on a hillock between mid 12th century (apse, transept, bell tower) and the early 13th century (nave). It was erected in the very early Gothic style, that still was blended with many Romanesque parts. As the church never got damaged by wars or restauration, this is very much, how it must have looked 1250. So many medieval churches have the former side portals bricked up. Here is just another example, with a nice zig-zag decor.

Santeuil, just about 2kms south of Brignancourt (previous uplaod), hosts this wonderful parish church. "Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul" was built on a hillock between mid 12th century (apse, transept, bell tower) and the early 13th century (nave). It was erected in the very early Gothic style, that still was blended with many Romanesque parts. As the church never got damaged by wars or restauration, this is very much, how it must have looked 1250. Unfortunately I was not allowed inside, but I could peep through the chicken wire. The nave is narrow and very high. Local information connects this to Notre Dame, erected from 1163 on in the center of Paris, just 50kms southeast.

Santeuil, just about 2kms south of Brignancourt (previous uplaod), hosts this wonderful parish church. "Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul" was built on a hillock between mid 12th century (apse, transept, bell tower) and the early 13th century (nave). It was erected in the very early Gothic style, that still was blended with many Romanesque parts. As the church never got damaged by wars or restauration, this is very much, how it must have looked 1250. Sorry for this contre-jour shot, but I did not have the time to wait..

Santeuil, just about 2kms south of Brignancourt (previous uplaod), hosts this wonderful parish church. "Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul" was built on a hillock between mid 12th century (apse, transept, bell tower) and the early 13th century (nave). It was erected in the very early Gothic style, that still was blended with many Romanesque parts. As the church never got damaged by wars or restauration, this is very much, how it must have looked 1250. The large window of the apse was probably smaller, the large one of today dates to the 14th century.

The parish church of Brignancourt (pop. 200) is one of the oldest Romanesque churches in the area. The nave was completed already late of the 11th century. A transept dates to the 12th century, when the church got enlarged. The church got severely damaged during the Hundred Years War. When it got restored after that, the ruined northern transept arm got demolished completely and never got rebuilt. A bunch of garden gnomes with red caps settled in the shadow of the church.

The parish church of Brignancourt (pop. 200) is one of the oldest Romanesque churches in the area. The nave was completed already late of the 11th century. A transept dates to the 12th century, when the church got enlarged. The church got severely damaged during the Hundred Years War and rebuilt and restored after that. The tympanum of the southern portal has a geometric pattern. The archivolt consists out of daisies. The portal is flanked by two slim columns. Here is the capital of the right side - a head with long braids, reminding me on dreadlocks.

The parish church of Brignancourt (pop. 200) is one of the oldest Romanesque churches in the area. The nave was completed already late of the 11th century. A transept dates to the 12th century, when the church got enlarged. The church got severely damaged during the Hundred Years War and rebuilt and restored after that. Here is the southern portal (12th c.). The tympanum has a geometric pattern. The archivolt consists out of daisies. Small lion heads are placed on both ends of it.