Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Saint-Pierre

The town's origins date back to the 10th century when the Benedictine Abbey of St Michel was founded on the banks of the Tarn. Located on the Way of St. James, the abbey existed until the French Revolution. The city itself benefited from its favorable location: the trade route from the Rouergue to Toulouse crossed the navigable Tarn here, which in turn formed the most important trade route to Bordeaux on the Atlantic coast. Viticulture and the cultivation of woad also contributed to the prosperity of Gaillac. The Hundred Years' War and then the Black Death epidemic ruined Gaillac: it lost half its population and the wine trade ceased. These disasters were not the last, however, because between 1562 and 1572 , during the Wars of Religion , the city saw repeated fighting between Catholics and Protestants. The Catholics were chased out of the town by Protestants. After their return and the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre on 24 August 1572, in Paris, the Catholic Gaillacois massacred 74 out of the 90 Huguenots in the town. Gaillac is mainly known for its wine "Gaillac AOC". The region makes claims to be among the earliest viticultural centers of ancient Gaul, though possibly after those of Languedoc around Narbonne. Roman merchants transported wine to Bordeaux and Northern Europe down the Tarn. A church dedicated to Saint-Pierre already existed in 972, when the Bishop of Albi donated it to the new Abbey of Saint-Michel de Gaillac. It then returned fairly quickly to the dependency of the bishops of Albi. In 1185 Bishop Guillaume V de Pierre donated to the commandant of the hospital. The residents of Gaillac took care of the equipment of the hospital. The church was rebuilt in the Gothic style from 1271 on, retaining some Romanesque elements. This work ended around 1330 with the construction of the nave and the installation of a western portal. During the Wars of Religion in 1562, the Protestants occupied and used the church for a time. After the massacre of the Huguenots the Protestant troops managed to conquer Gaillac. During the two-year occupation, the church was looted and partially destroyed. The church was immediately rebuilt at the end of this period

The town's origins date back to the 10th century when the Benedictine Abbey of St Michel was founded on the banks of the Tarn. Located on the Way of St. James, the abbey existed until the French Revolution. The city itself benefited from its favorable location: the trade route from the Rouergue to Toulouse crossed the navigable Tarn here, which in turn formed the most important trade route to Bordeaux on the Atlantic coast. Viticulture and the cultivation of woad also contributed to the prosperity of Gaillac. The Hundred Years' War and then the Black Death epidemic ruined Gaillac: it lost half its population and the wine trade ceased. These disasters were not the last, however, because between 1562 and 1572 , during the Wars of Religion , the city saw repeated fighting between Catholics and Protestants. The Catholics were chased out of the town by Protestants. After their return and the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre on 24 August 1572, in Paris, the Catholic Gaillacois massacred 74 out of the 90 Huguenots in the town. Gaillac is mainly known for its wine "Gaillac AOC". The region makes claims to be among the earliest viticultural centers of ancient Gaul, though possibly after those of Languedoc around Narbonne. Roman merchants transported wine to Bordeaux and Northern Europe down the Tarn. A church dedicated to Saint-Pierre already existed in 972, when the Bishop of Albi donated it to the new Abbey of Saint-Michel de Gaillac. It then returned fairly quickly to the dependency of the bishops of Albi. In 1185 Bishop Guillaume V de Pierre donated to the commandant of the hospital. The residents of Gaillac took care of the equipment of the hospital. The church was rebuilt in the Gothic style from 1271 on, retaining some Romanesque elements. This work ended around 1330 with the construction of the nave and the installation of a western portal. During the Wars of Religion in 1562, the Protestants occupied and used the church for a time. After the massacre of the Huguenots the Protestant troops managed to conquer Gaillac. During the two-year occupation, the church was looted and partially destroyed. The church was immediately rebuilt at the end of this period

The town's origins date back to the 10th century when the Benedictine Abbey of St Michel was founded on the banks of the Tarn. Located on the Way of St. James, the abbey existed until the French Revolution. The city itself benefited from its favorable location: the trade route from the Rouergue to Toulouse crossed the navigable Tarn here, which in turn formed the most important trade route to Bordeaux on the Atlantic coast. Viticulture and the cultivation of woad also contributed to the prosperity of Gaillac. The Hundred Years' War and then the Black Death epidemic ruined Gaillac: it lost half its population and the wine trade ceased. These disasters were not the last, however, because between 1562 and 1572 , during the Wars of Religion , the city saw repeated fighting between Catholics and Protestants. The Catholics were chased out of the town by Protestants. After their return and the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre on 24 August 1572, in Paris, the Catholic Gaillacois massacred 74 out of the 90 Huguenots in the town. Gaillac is mainly known for its wine "Gaillac AOC". The region makes claims to be among the earliest viticultural centers of ancient Gaul, though possibly after those of Languedoc around Narbonne. Roman merchants transported wine to Bordeaux and Northern Europe down the Tarn. A church dedicated to Saint-Pierre already existed in 972, when the Bishop of Albi donated it to the new Abbey of Saint-Michel de Gaillac. It then returned fairly quickly to the dependency of the bishops of Albi. In 1185 Bishop Guillaume V de Pierre donated to the commandant of the hospital. The residents of Gaillac took care of the equipment of the hospital. The church was rebuilt in the Gothic style from 1271 on, retaining some Romanesque elements. This work ended around 1330 with the construction of the nave and the installation of a western portal. During the Wars of Religion in 1562, the Protestants occupied and used the church for a time. After the massacre of the Huguenots the Protestant troops managed to conquer Gaillac. During the two-year occupation, the church was looted and partially destroyed. The church was immediately rebuilt at the end of this period

Saint-Pierre of today is a fortified church dating back to the 12th century. It replaced a small chapel, that existed here since 989. The Romanesque facade got remodeled a couple of times over the centuries, but there are still many great carvings and sculptures. Along the nave are some capitals, created in the typical style saintongeais.

Saint-Pierre of today is a fortified church dating back to the 12th century. It replaced a small chapel, that existed here since 989. The Romanesque facade got remodeled a couple of times over the centuries, but there are still many great carvings and sculptures. Along the nave are some capitals, created in the typical style saintongeais. Here snakes whisper sinful tales into the men's ears, who hold them.

Saint-Pierre of today is a fortified church dating back to the 12th century. It replaced a small chapel, that existed here since 989. The Romanesque facade got remodeled a couple of times over the centuries, but there are still many great carvings and sculptures. Along the nave, here seen from the gallery, are some capitals, created in the typical style saintongeais.

Saint-Pierre of today is a fortified church dating back to the 12th century. It replaced a small chapel, that existed here since 989. The Romanesque facade got remodeled a couple of times over the centuries, but there are still many great carvings and sculptures. One of the corbels has this nice love couple.

Saint-Pierre of today is a fortified church dating back to the 12th century. It replaced a small chapel, that existed here since 989. The Romanesque facade got remodeled a couple of times over the centuries, but there are still many great carvings and sculptures. The two tiers have virtues and vices (most are lost) and below are the twelve apostles with Mary in the center. Here all statues have lost their heads. I found the info, that the decapitation took place 1848, more than half a century after the Revolution. Strange! Here is one the head of a virtue, one of the very few, that survived the furor.

Saint-Pierre of today is a fortified church dating back to the 12th century. It replaced a small chapel, that existed here since 989. The Romanesque facade got remodeled a couple of times over the centuries, but there are still many great carvings and sculptures. Seen in the "Ascension of Jesus". Jesus is in the mandorla, below his feet is an archivolt (heads of horses, very similar to the archivolt of Saint-Fortunat in Saint-Fort-sur-Gironde).

Saint-Pierre of today is a fortified church dating back to the 12th century. It replaced a small chapel, that existed here since 989. The Romanesque facade got remodeled a couple of times over the centuries, but there are still many great carvings and sculptures. Seen in the "Ascension of Jesus". Jesus is in the mandorla, below his feet is an archivolt (heads of horses, similar to the archivolt of Saint-Fortunat in Saint-Fort-sur-Gironde). The next tier has the virtues and vices (most are lost) and below are the twelve apostles with Mary in the center. Here all statues have lost their heads.

Saint-Pierre of today is a fortified church dating back to the 12th century. It replaced a small chapel, that existed here since 989. The Romanesque facade got remodeled a couple of times over the centuries, it was larger in the 12th century.

Silver and lead were mined in Melle since Roman times. In Merovingian and Carolingian times it was a home of a mint. In 2008 archaeologists found a silver penny under the floor of the Palatine Chapel in Aachen (Aix La Chapelle). It was minted at METVLLO what is Melle today. In medieval times Melle was a prosperous town, attracting many pilgrims following the Via Turonensis. The town (today´s pop. ~4000) still hosts three Romanesque churches, built during the 11th and 12th centuries. An oratory, dedicated to St. Peter, existed here around 950 in the center of a Carolingian cementary. This humble chapel was dependent from the abbey of Saint-Maixent (25kms north). This small structure got extended and enlarged in two stages during the early 12th century. The choir with the nicely decorated chapels and transept form the oldest existing part. The church was set on fire and defaced during the Wars of Religions. After the French Revolution this was the meeting place for the assemblies of the inhabitants. This corbel may depict a "Rich Man" or "Avarice", money bag around his neck. - Located next to Saint-Pierre is the very comfortable and agreeable Chambre d'hôtes Carillon & Cadran. Nicole & François are very friendly and helped us a lot. Merci beaucoup! chambredhotescarillon.jimdo.com/ - As I have uploaded many photos from here already, I will just add a few.

Silver and lead were mined in Melle since Roman times. In Merovingian and Carolingian times it was a home of a mint. In 2008 archaeologists found a silver penny under the floor of the Palatine Chapel in Aachen (Aix La Chapelle). It was minted at METVLLO what is Melle today. In medieval times Melle was a prosperous town, attracting many pilgrims following the Via Turonensis. The town (today´s pop. ~4000) still hosts three Romanesque churches, built during the 11th and 12th centuries. An oratory, dedicated to St. Peter, existed here around 950 in the center of a Carolingian cementary. This humble chapel was dependent from the abbey of Saint-Maixent (25kms north). This small structure got extended and enlarged in two stages during the early 12th century. The choir with the nicely decorated chapels and transept form the oldest existing part. The church was set on fire and defaced during the Wars of Religions. After the French Revolution this was the meeting place for the assemblies of the inhabitants. - Located next to Saint-Pierre is the very comfortable and agreeable Chambre d'hôtes Carillon & Cadran. Nicole & François are very friendly and helped us a lot. Merci beaucoup! chambredhotescarillon.jimdo.com/ - As I have uploaded many photos from here already, I will just add a few.

Silver and lead were mined in Melle since Roman times. In Merovingian and Carolingian times it was a home of a mint. In 2008 archaeologists found a silver penny under the floor of the Palatine Chapel in Aachen (Aix La Chapelle). It was minted at METVLLO what is Melle today. In medieval times Melle was a prosperous town, attracting many pilgrims following the Via Turonensis. The town (today´s pop. ~4000) still hosts three Romanesque churches, built during the 11th and 12th centuries. An oratory, dedicated to St. Peter, existed here around 950 in the center of a Carolingian cementary. This humble chapel was dependent from the abbey of Saint-Maixent (25kms north). This small structure got extended and enlarged in two stages during the early 12th century. The choir with the nicely decorated chapels and transept form the oldest existing part. The church was set on fire and defaced during the Wars of Religions. After the French Revolution this was the meeting place for the assemblies of the inhabitants. - Located next to Saint-Pierre is the very comfortable and agreeable Chambre d'hôtes Carillon & Cadran. Nicole & François are very friendly and helped us a lot. Merci beaucoup! chambredhotescarillon.jimdo.com/ - As I have uploaded many photos from here already, I will just add a few.

Carennac is a very picturesque village perching above the banks of the Dordogne river. The village is one of "Les Plus Beaux Villages de Franc". Not much seems to have changed within the last centuries. In 1047 a priory had been founded here, depending from the Benedictine abbey Saint-Pierre in Moissac and so woven into the "cluniac system". Saint-Pierre, now the parish church of Carennac, was erected within the 11th/12th century. During the Hundred Years War, the village suffered great damage. As by wonder, the tympanum (see previous uploads) survived. Most houses of the priory and the village did not. The cloister got destroyed got rebuilt in the second half of the 15th century. So only some parts of the cloister in Carennac are Romanesque.

Carennac is a very picturesque village perching above the banks of the Dordogne river. The village is one of "Les Plus Beaux Villages de Franc". Not much seems to have changed within the last centuries. In 1047 a priory had been founded here, depending from the Benedictine abbey Saint-Pierre in Moissac and so woven into the "cluniac system". Saint-Pierre, now the parish church of Carennac, was erected within the 11th/12th century. During the Hundred Years War, the village suffered great damage. As by wonder, the tympanum (see previous uploads) survived. Most houses of the priory and the village did not. The cloister got destroyed got rebuilt in the second half of the 15th century. So only some parts of the cloister in Carennac are Romanesque.

Carennac is a very picturesque village perching above the banks of the Dordogne river. The village is one of "Les Plus Beaux Villages de Franc". Not much seems to have changed within the last centuries. In 1047 a priory had been founded here, depending from the Benedictine abbey Saint-Pierre in Moissac and so woven into the "cluniac system". Saint-Pierre, now the parish church of Carennac, was erected within the 11th/12th century. The capitals in the nave as well as in the narthex are carved in a pretty rough style, compared to the masterly carved tympanum of Sanit-Pierre. The carvings here may be a century (or less) older than the tympanum. This is the left side of the (inner) portal. It is inside the narthex and so not very weathered. There is a lion to the very left. To see from this pov are two pairs of birds on the left and two lions on the right capital. Compared to the tympanum (only bout 2 meters apart, a very rough work. Above is an inscription - a signature, that is hard to read - and very long. GIRBERTUS - CEMENTARIUS - FECIT ISTUM PORTARIUM - BENEDICTA SIT ANIMA EIUS Girbertus, the mason, created this portal, blessed be his soul. This is the longest medieval signature I have ever seen - and the first with a "job title".

Carennac is a very picturesque village perching above the banks of the Dordogne river. The village is one of "Les Plus Beaux Villages de Franc". Not much seems to have changed within the last centuries. In 1047 a priory had been founded here, depending from the Benedictine abbey Saint-Pierre in Moissac and so woven into the "cluniac system". Saint-Pierre, now the parish church of Carennac, was erected within the 11th/12th century. The capitals in the nave as well as in the narthex are carved in a pretty rough style, compared to the masterly carved tympanum of Sanit-Pierre. The carvings here may be a century (or less older) than the tympanum. Here is one of the interior capitals, depicting a mystic, winged animal.