Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption

The cathedral in the small village of Senez, was once the centre of a diocese, founded within the 5th century and existing up to the French Revolution. It was constructed between 1176 and 1246. The building suffered during the Wars of Religion, but the Romanesque structure is still visible. Today probably the whole population of Senez (less than 200) would find a seat here. In 2010 the door of the cathedral was open and I could take a shot inside. See the PiP.

The "Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption" stands on that place, where during the "Council of Clermont" in November 1095 Pope Urban II launched the first cruisade. The war-cry "Deus lo vult" was heard here for the first time. The construction of the cathedral began as early as 1248 in the then new, gothic style. The black, vulcanic stones used from the beginning give the cathedral its dark colour. The choir, the transept and the start of the nave were finished about 50 years later, but it took upto the late 19th century, to finish the huge building, with its 96m high spires.

The first cathedral on this place was built already within the 5th century. This church was destroyed by Pepin the Short, who a couple of years later financed the reconstruction. This second structure here was destroyed by the Normans in 915. The third (romanesque) cathedral, was consecrated in 946. This building probably served as the model and prototype for many churches in the Auvergne. After a trip to Paris, the bishop was so enthusiastic about the the new gothic cathedrals being built in the north, that he had the romanesque cathedral was demolished - and in 1248 the construction of this cathedral started. It took hundreds of years - and actually never got completed. During the French Revolution the revolutionaries wanted to tear down the church, but they could be persuaded to use it as a gathering place. So only some the transept towers and the complete furniture and interior decoration got lost. Finally in 1866 the completion works began. In 1884, the western façade with its spires and the last span of the nave were finally completed. There are two aisles on both sides. Standing in the second southern aisle facing north/west. After having been in so many small romanesque churches over the last weeks, the sheer volume of the cathedral was breathtaking. The tiny person, seen on the left, is a fully grown adult.

The construction of the cathedral began as early as 1248 in the then very new, gothic style. The black, vulcanic stones used from the beginning give the cathedral its dark colour. As these black stones are very strong it was possible for the architects to create very high and elegant pillars. The choir, the transept and the start of the nave were finished about 50 years later, but it took upto the late 19th century, to finish the huge building, that was fortunately not dismantled during the French Revolution.

The construction of the cathedral began as early as 1248 in the then very new, gothic style. The black, vulcanic stones used from the beginning give the cathedral its dark colour. As these black stones are very strong it was possible for the architects to create very elegant pillars - and all around the large choir space for these fantastic stained glass windows. Louis IX´s son (the future Philip III) married Isabella of Aragon in this choir in May 1262. At this occasion the king may have financed a part of the stained glass windows that seem to be from the same workshop as those in Sainte-Chapelle on the Île de la Cité in Paris.

The first cathedral on this place was built already within the 5th century. This church was destroyed by Pepin the Short, who a couple of years later financed the reconstruction. This second structure here was destroyed by the Normans in 915. The third (romanesque) cathedral, was consecrated in 946. This building probably served as the model and prototype for many churches in the Auvergne. After a trip to Paris, the bishop was so enthusiastic about the the new gothic cathedrals being built in the north, that he had the romanesque cathedral was demolished - and in 1248 the construction of this cathedral started. It took hundreds of years - and actually never got completed. During the French Revolution the revolutionaries wanted to tear down the church, but they could be persuaded to use it as a gathering place. So only some the transept towers and the complete furniture and interior decoration got lost. Finally in 1866 the completion works began. In 1884, the western façade with its spires and the last span of the nave were finally completed. Standing in the nave, facing east to the choir, where the bright morning light bursts in. The cathedral is nearly 100 meters long. The choir was finished in 1287. When Louis IX of France (aka "Louis the Saint") came to Clermont marry his son Philipp (later Philipp III, aka "Philipp the Bold") to Isabella of Aragon. Probably taking this occasion the king financed part of the stained glass windows that may be from the same workshop as those in Sainte-Chapelle. Under the choir is a crypt, that dates back into the 10th century. The crypt is made up of an ambulatory and radiating chapels. It was this crypt, that I wanted to visit, as I had read, that it was a kind of model for other crypts in the Auvergne. I had been here before, but then the crypt was closed. It was not my lucky day - it was closed again.

Early morning light on the two black spires of the Clermont-Ferrand cathedral. The spires are more than 100 meters high and black, like the entire cathedral, as the entire structure is built from the vulcanic rock from Volvic. The first cathedral on this place was built already within the 5th century. This church was destroyed by Pepin the Short, who a couple of years later financed the reconstruction. This second structure here was destroyed by the Normans in 915. The third (romanesque) cathedral, was consecrated in 946. This building probably served as the model and prototype for many churches in the Auvergne. After a trip to Paris, the bishop was so enthusiastic about the the new gothic cathedrals being built in the north, that he had the romanesque cathedral was demolished - and in 1248 the construction of this cathedral started. It took hundreds of years - and actually never got completed. During the French Revolution the revolutionaries wanted to tear down the church, but they could be persuaded to use it as a gathering place. So only some the transept towers and the complete furniture and interior decoration got lost. Finally in 1866 the completion works began. In 1884, the western façade with its spires and the last span of the nave were finally completed. So what you see here - is pretty recent.

The cathedral in the small village of Senez, was once the center of an diocese, founded within the 5th century and existing until 1790. The cathedral was built between 1176 and 1246. Several older churches have been here before that. The building suffered a lot during the Wars of Religion, but the romanesque structure is still clearly visible. Today probably the whole population of Senez, which is below 200, would find a comfortable seat in the cathedral. Here is more information: www.provenceweb.fr/e/alaupro/senez/senez.htm

The cathedral in the small village of Senez, was once the center of an diocese, founded within the 5th century and existing upto the French Revolution . It was constructed between 1176 and 1246. The building suffered during the Wars of Religion, but the romanesque structure is still visible. Today probably the whole population of Senez (less than 200) would find a seat here. Looking to the apse, you´ll notice not only the lots of stalls, but left and right on the walls huge tapestries from the 16th and 17th century. I learned, that when Napoleon I rushed north via a road, today known as "Route Napoleon", he made a break here (March 1815), visited the church - and admired these tapestries. Here is more information: www.provenceweb.fr/e/alaupro/senez/senez.htm