Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Sainte-Marie-Madeleine

"Sainte-Marie-Madeleine" in Le Villars is the last remaining structure of a priory that was erected here in the 11th and 12th century. The church actually has two separated naves under one roof. One was and still is used by the parish, the second one by the nuns. The nuns´ nave, seen here, is ruined meanwhile and used for an exhibition of old farm machinery. Once all walls were plastered and covered with frescoes. Some traces can still be found.

"Sainte-Marie-Madeleine" in Le Villars is the last remaining structure of a priory that was erected here in the 11th and 12th century. The church actually has two separated naves under one roof. One was and still is used by the parish, the second one by the nuns. The nuns´ nave, seen here, is ruined meanwhile and used for an exhibition of old farm machinery. Once all walls were plastered and covered with frescoes. Some traces can still be found.

"Sainte-Marie-Madeleine" in Le Villars is the last remaining structure of a priory that was erected here in the 11th and 12th century. The church actually has two separated naves under one roof. One was and still is used by the parish, the second one by the nuns. Behind the altar in the back pf the parish-nave is the choir, where this Romanesque "Majestas Domini" was found under plaster during restoration works.

"Sainte-Marie-Madeleine" in Le Villars is the last remaining structure of a priory that was erected here in the 11th and 12th century. The church actually has two separated naves under one roof. One, seen here, was and still is used by the parish, the second one by the nuns. Behind the altar in the back is the choir.

"Sainte-Marie-Madeleine" in Le Villars is the last remaining structure of a priory that was erected here in the 11th and 12th century. The church actually has two separated naves under one roof. One was used by the parish, the second one by the nuns. The portal is protected by a narthex with a wooden roof.

A petanque tournament is held in front of the church dedicated to "Sainte-Marie-Madeleine" in Le Villars. The church is the last remaining structure of a priory that was erected here in the 11th and 12th century. The church actually has two separated naves under one roof. One was used by the parish, the second one by the nuns.

I have been here a couple of times before, but I just cannot pass the area without stopping in Neuilly en Donjon. The church once belonged to the Priory de Marcigny (18kms southeast). The construction of the 11th/12th century building is pretty simple, but the curch has this very extraordenary and spectacular portal. The capitals, lintel and tympanum are delicately carved, though the style of the carvings disputed (see Raymond Oursel). The tympanon depicts Mary, the child and the Three Magis, standing on two phantastic animals, and flanked by four angels, blowing giant horns. The lintel below depicts Adam and Eve to the right and the last supper.

...the basilica is breathtaking gigantic...

The central tympanum over the entrance of the Basilique Sainte-Marie-Madeleine leading from the narthex to the nave has three archivolts. The middle archivolt is composed out of 29 round medailons. Here is one of these medailons, depicting a very strange chimare out of a cow or bull - and a fishtail. I have seen mermaids and mermen so far - but this is the first mercow.

The central tympanum over the entrance of the Basilique Sainte-Marie-Madeleine leading from the narthex to the nave has three archivolts. The middle archivolt is composed out of 29 round medailons. Here is one of these medailons, depincting a mermaid with very long hair.