Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Seugne

A settlement existed on the banks of the river Seugne already in pre-Roman times. The Romans had a "castrum" here and may have built a bridge = pons crossing the river. Geoffroy III de Pons, Richard Lionheart´s vasall, fortified the town, placed on a limestone plateau over the valley. Down in the valley the construction of Saint-Vivien started in the 12th century. The structure got remodeled and enlarged over the centuries. The aisle and the immense apse, seen from here, were added in the 18th century. The "Via Turonensis" leads through Pons, so in the center of the roundabout (left) is a group of pilgrims, discussing directions. Only 200 meters away is the "hôpital des pèlerins", where they will find a place to stay.

A settlement existed on the banks of the river Seugne already in pre-Roman times. The Romans had a "castrum" here and may have built a bridge = pons crossing the river. Geoffroy III de Pons, Richard Lionheart´s vasall, fortified the town, placed on a limestone plateau over the valley. Down in the valley the construction of Saint-Vivien started in the 12th century. The structure got remodeled, rebuilt and enlarged over the centuries. Seen from this point of view is the large gotic tracery window, that was integrated into the otherwise Romaesque facade within the 15th century.

Late afternoon in Pons, where a settlement existed on the banks of the river Seugne already in pre-Roman times. The Romans had a "castrum" here and may have built a bridge = pons crossing the river. Centuries later, after Visigoths and Vandals had looted the area, the importance grew. Geoffroy III de Pons, a vasall of Richard Lionheart, fortified the town and erected this impressive donjon in 1187, that got a bit "remodeled" in the early 20th century. It is 33 meters high! Only this donjon is left from the medieval castle, that got destroyed by Louis XIII´s troops in 1622. Later the chateau seen left was built, now housing the "mairie", the mayor´s office.