Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Coussay-les-Bois

Saint-Martin was the first church in Coussay-les-Bois. It was erected from 1099 on and so is nearly a century even older than the much larger church Notre-Dame, seen in the background. The church was sold as national property after the French Revolution, but meanwhile serves the protestant parish - and was locked, when I tried to enter. It has a nice twisted steeple - "clocher tors".

Notre-Dame was built from white, local stones within the 12th century and got remodeled and enlarged at least three times, before the 19th-renovation startet. Actually parts of the transept are even older, dated to the 11th century. Three domes span over the nave. This church is known for the capitals. In case, there were doubts about the existence of a crocodile on the other capital (previous upload), all the doubts are gone here. This is a crocdile - and below is a chameleon.There cannot be any doubt about these animals. They are still exotic, but within the 12th centuries these animals must have been a myth. If - this capital was created within the 12th century. Did the carver return from a cruisade and saw crocodiles and chameleons? The sculpture of chameleon is so detailled - did he own a stuffed lizard? Or was this capital added during the 19th-century-renovation - and so is only about 150 years old? I could not find out, but it may well be.

Notre-Dame was built from white, local stones within the 12th century and got remodeled and enlarged at least three times, before the 19th-renovation startet. Actually parts of the transept are even older, dated to the 11th century. Three domes span over the nave. This church is known for the capitals. Here is one of them, depicting a (dancing?) pig (note the tail!), an ass, a cock, (a bit exotic), and a crocodil. Is this a croc? It does have the typical long snout, but how should a carver within the 12th century have knowlegde about this reptile. Did he return from a cruisade and saw crocodiles in Egypt? Or was this capital created and added during the 19th-century-renovation - and only is about 150 years old? I could not find out. In case, you do not "recognise" that croc - just see the next upload.

Notre-Dame was built from white, local stones within the 12th century and got remodeled and enlarged at least three times, before the 19th-renovation startet. Actually parts of the transept are even older, dated to the 11th century. There is a nave, flanked by two aisles. Similar to (far away) Saintes and Gensac, three domes span over the nave. This church is known for capitals, that are really surprising.

Notre-Dame was built from white, local stones within the 12th century and got remodeled and enlarged at least three times, before the 19th-renovation startet. Actually parts of the transept are even older, dated to the 11th century. Similar to (far away) Saintes and Gensac, three domes span over the nave. Standing in the crossing, facing west to the portal, the domes can be seen partly.

Cell-phones, smartphones, tablets, netbooks.. Communication is everywhere nowadays. The old office, that once connected Coussay-les-Bois to the world, is closed.