Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: chimare

The 12th century church "Notre-Dame de Fleuriel" was once the seat of a priory, connected the abbey in Tournus. Now it is the parish church. It is known for the western portal. I had read, that it is one of the finest in the area of Bourbonnais. Well, the finer the work of art is, the more restauration and conservation it needs over the time. On this quiet sunday morning, I could even slip under the cover and have a close look. But I did not find the right distance to take photos. Here are the delicately carved capitals of the right side, under the archivolts. Strange chimares.

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.