Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Fleuriel

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. Two (of many) corbels under the roof of Notre Dame. Inbetween the two male faces is a smiling "heraldic" lion. The lion bends down to an obeisant position, like (see the tail!) giving a desperate plea. Note, that the horizontal area is decorated by a flower (rose?). The colour is still visible.

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. This is the most special of all carvings here. A capital, depicting a man, in a seated position. His right arm risen. His hand in an "atlas-gesture". His left arm holds a long pole or stick. The head is palce on top of that stick, he faces "the audience". The man is clothes in a very wide habit or coat. On the very left two birds. Cocks maybe. Here, on the very right is a large snake. According to the information I found in Fleuriel about this 13th century carving ("unique au monde"), this is Saint Jaques (so the pole is a pilgrim's staff). There is a legend of St. Jaques and Hermogenus, a heathenly sorcerer, who was opposed the apostel´s missionary efforts , but later was saved by St. Jaques, who freed him from evil demons. If this carving really is connected to that legend, then the two bird and the snake must be the symbols of sorcery. It is a wonderful piece of art, but I doubt that complex story/legend around. A little bit. I have to admit, I heard about the legend here the very first time.

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. This is the most special of all carvings here. A capital, depicting a man, in a seated position. His right arm risen. His hand in an "atlas-gesture". His left arm holds a long pole or stick. The head is palce on top of that stick, he faces "the audience". The man is clothes in a very wide habit or coat. On the very left two birds. Cocks maybe. On the very right (see next photo) is a large snake. According to the information I found in Fleuriel about this 13th century carving ("unique au monde"), this is Saint Jaques (so the pole is a pilgrim's staff). There is a legend of St. Jaques and Hermogenus, a heathenly sorcerer, who was opposed the apostel´s missionary efforts , but later was saved by St. Jaques, who freed him from evil demons. If this carving really is connected to that legend, then the two bird and the snake must be the symbols of sorcery. It is a wonderful piece of art, but I doubt that complex story/legend around. A little bit. I have to admit, I heard about the legend here the very first time.

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. A very cryptic carving. A giant snake, with the head of a cat or lion? - Could be, but the semicircular rolls, seen here are not connected. It seems a like a labyrinth, but these are just eleven semicircular rolls, crowned by a smiling cat. The artist carved two nice cones on the edges. And what were the holes used for?

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. This (double) capital with the two heads on the side seems pretty archaic, especially as most other carvings in and outside the church are very delicately carved. It may have been "reused" here in the 12th century, orginally coming from an older building.

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. Standing in the nave, facing east, to the choir. Notre Dame de Fleuriel is a basilica with two aisles. There are three bays. The pillars have carved capitals in very different styles.

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 slip under the cover and have a close look. But I did not find the right distance to take photos. This is a detail from the capital, on the right side of the door. I was pretty sure, that this is a mermaid, when I saw it first. Meanwhile I doubt that a bit. This could be as well a person growing out of the bud. Or it could be the head of a "tendrillar monster". After having entwined the small human body, it now swallows it.

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 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 closer look.- The French Tricolour on the right pinpoints the mairie and the post-office of Fleuriel. Note the oculus, that seems already influenced by the emerging gothic style.

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, within the Auvergne, it is always worthwile, to look around for the (sometimes hidden) monkey. We saw that maneating tendril already outside, munching a petit person, near the western portal. Here we can see the dangerous leaf tendrils growing out of two birds on the ground and the mouth of a monkey-head. The artist, who created this, is probably identical to the sculpor, who carved the capitals outside. Or at least - these works came from the same studio.