Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Culte de la Raison

The Cathédrale Notre-Dame was erected between 1163 and 1250. Then the transepts seemed old fashioned and got demoshed and rebuilt. This was finally done in 1363. This facade had been completed in 1225, the towers and the rose window in 1250. At that time Saint Denis was already 60 years old - elegant Laon about 10 years. There are two aisles on either side. The distance to the choir is about 130 meters. The height of the nave reaches 32,50 meters. The windows of the choir had no tracery in the early times. When Philipp II (1165-1223) made Paris the the capital of his kingdom, Paris may have had a population of 20.000 (just like Cologne). About half of the population could find a place inside the Cathédrale Notre-Dame. In 1793 the cathedral was dedicated to the Cult of Reason, later to the Cult of the Supreme Being, before is was just used as a warehouse for the storage of food.

Waiting in line again in front of the western facade of Notre Dame. The cathedral had been erected between 1163 and 1250. Then the transepts seemed old fashioned and got rebuilt. This was finally done in 1363. This facade had been completed in 1225, the towers and the rose window in 1250. At that time Saint Denis was already 60 years old - elegant Laon about 10 years. In 1793 the cathedral was dedicated to the Cult of Reason, later to the Cult of the Supreme Being, before is was just used as a warehouse for the storage of food. Here is the main portal, well restored after the Huguenots and the sans-culottes´ vandalism. The nearby portal of the Sainte Chapelle (previous uploads) looks like a simplified copy of this.

Waiting in line again in front of the western facade of Notre Dame. The cathedral had been erected between 1163 and 1250. Then the transepts seemed old fashioned and got rebuilt. This was finally done in 1363. This facade had been completed in 1225, the towers and the rose window in 1250. At that time Saint Denis was already 60 years old - elegant Laon about 10 years. I remember, that when I was here as a student, I had to count all squares I could detect on this facade. I have been here quite often and I have uploaded photos from Notre Dame already. So, I´ll cut the story short this time. Note the "Galerie des Rois" running across the facade. There are 28 huge statues of the biblical Kings of Judah. Since medieval times, the Parisians saw them as French Kings. During the French Revolution sans-culottes climbed up and beheaded them. The heads crashed to to the ground. 22 of the damaged heads were found during an excavation campaign in 1977 - and can now be seen in the "Musée de Cluny". The statues seen here date to back to the 19th century and there are rumours, that one of the "new kings" looks like the famous architect Viollet-le-Duc. In 1793 the cathedral was dedicated to the Cult of Reason, later to the Cult of the Supreme Being, before is was just used as a warehouse for the storage of food. When I was waiting I tried to see Quasimodo up there. Yes, he still lives there. I know this, as Mr. Hugo, one of Quasimodo´s few friends, told me that some years ago.

Legends tell, that Saint Junien has lived here as a hermit for 40 years. After Junien´s death (540) Bishop Roric from nearby Limoges had an oratorium built over the tomb. The oratorium soon was a place of pilgrimage and got enlarged over the next decades Gregory of Tours was impressed, when he visited the place in 593. This church got lost within the 9th century. Two centuries later a collegiate church got erected. It got consecrated by Raynaud, Bishop of Périgueux in 1100. The church got altered and enlarged a couple of times, but the collegiate lost the importance it had during the time of pilgrimage. It existed though upto the French Revolution, when it got looted. After that the church was used as "Temple of Reason", a prison and (like many churches) as a storage room for explosive saltpetre. The structure must have been in bad condition, as the crossing tower collapsed in 1816. It it got rebuilt from wood on a smaller scale. The collegiate church got restaurated in the second half of the 19th century, but in 1922 the wooden tower collapsed and caused lots of damage. The relics of Saint Julien were kept in a sacrophag from the 6th century on. This got entombed in the 12th century in a large, precious shrine. The head of one of the 24 Elders of the Apocalypse. The light inside the choir was a bit dim already and I had used a new LED-light (see the previous uploads) here, as I hate flashlights in churches. But here the LED gives a rather blueish light - not very pretty. It was an experiment. I am open for any suggestions..

Legends tell, that Saint Junien has lived here as a hermit for 40 years. After Junien´s death (540) Bishop Roric from nearby Limoges had an oratorium built over the tomb. The oratorium soon was a place of pilgrimage and got enlarged over the next decades Gregory of Tours was impressed, when he visited the place in 593. This church got lost within the 9th century. Two centuries later a collegiate church got erected. It got consecrated by Raynaud, Bishop of Périgueux in 1100. The church got altered and enlarged a couple of times, but the collegiate lost the importance it had during the time of pilgrimage. It existed though upto the French Revolution, when it got looted. After that the church was used as "Temple of Reason", a prison and (like many churches) as a storage room for explosive saltpetre. The structure must have been in bad condition, as the crossing tower collapsed in 1816. It it got rebuilt from wood on a smaller scale. The collegiate church got restaurated in the second half of the 19th century, but in 1922 the wooden tower collapsed and caused lots of damage. The relics of Saint Julien were kept in a sacrophag from the 6th century on. This got entombed in the 12th century in a large, precious shrine. The center of the northern side. The 12 Elders of the Apocalypse here add to the 12 of the of the opposite side to 24. In the center a mandorla around Virgin and Child. The child is standing on his mother´s knee, both hold small scepters. The mandorla has two inscriptions. Left side MVNDI ⋮ FATOREM • GENITRIX • GERIT • (et) • GENIT/OREM • MATERNOS • Q(ue) • SINVS • SARCINAT • [HI]C • DOMINVS ⋮ Right side AD • COLLVM • MAT(r)IS • PENDET • SAPIENTIA • PATRIS ⋮ ME • XPI • MATREM • PRODO • GERENDO • PAT(r)EM

Legends tell, that Saint Junien has lived here as a hermit for 40 years. After Junien´s death (540) Bishop Roric from nearby Limoges had an oratorium built over the tomb. The oratorium soon was a place of pilgrimage and got enlarged over the next decades Gregory of Tours was impressed, when he visited the place in 593. This church got lost within the 9th century. Two centuries later a collegiate church got erected. It got consecrated by Raynaud, Bishop of Périgueux in 1100. The church got altered and enlarged a couple of times, but the collegiate lost the importance it had during the time of pilgrimage. It existed though upto the French Revolution, when it got looted. After that the church was used as "Temple of Reason", a prison and (like many churches) as a storage room for explosive saltpetre. The structure must have been in bad condition, as the crossing tower collapsed in 1816. It it got rebuilt from wood on a smaller scale. The collegiate church got restaurated in the second half of the 19th century, but in 1922 the wooden tower collapsed and caused lots of damage. The relics of Saint Julien were kept in a sacrophag from the 6th century on. This got entombed in the 12th century in a large, precious shrine. To the left is the eastern/front side with Christ as a Pantocrator in a mandorla to the right the northern side. The 12 Elders of the Apocalypse here add to the 12 of the of the opposite side to 24. In the center a mandorla around Virgin and Child.

Legends tell, that Saint Junien has lived here as a hermit for 40 years. After Junien´s death (540) Bishop Roric from nearby Limoges had an oratorium built over the tomb. The oratorium soon was a place of pilgrimage and got enlarged over the next decades Gregory of Tours was impressed, when he visited the place in 593. This church got lost within the 9th century. Two centuries later a collegiate church got erected. It got consecrated by Raynaud, Bishop of Périgueux in 1100. The church got altered and enlarged a couple of times, but the collegiate lost the importance it had during the time of pilgrimage. It existed though upto the French Revolution, when it got looted. After that the church was used as "Temple of Reason", a prison and (like many churches) as a storage room for explosive saltpetre. The structure must have been in bad condition, as the crossing tower collapsed in 1816. It it got rebuilt from wood on a smaller scale. The collegiate church got restaurated in the second half of the 19th century, but in 1922 the wooden tower collapsed and caused lots of damage. The relics of Saint Julien were kept in a sacrophag from the 6th century on. This got entombed in the 12th century in a large, precious shrine. The eastern/front side with Christ as a Pantocrator in a mandorla, with the symbols of the Evangelists in the four triangels. Christ wears a kind of toga and holds a large book (bible). His face seems a bit mutilated and his bare knees are covered by small carved graffiti. Above is a inspcription HIC IACET • CORP(us) • S(an)C(t)I • IVNIANI • IN • VASE • IN • Q(u)O • PRIVS • POSITVM • FVIT (Here is the body of Sanctus Juniani in the vessel in which it was buried first)

Legends tell, that Saint Junien has lived here as a hermit for 40 years. After Junien´s death (540) Bishop Roric from nearby Limoges had an oratorium built over the tomb. The oratorium soon was a place of pilgrimage and got enlarged over the next decades Gregory of Tours was impressed, when he visited the place in 593. This church got lost within the 9th century. Two centuries later a collegiate church got erected. It got consecrated by Raynaud, Bishop of Périgueux in 1100. The church got altered and enlarged a couple of times, but the collegiate lost the importance it had during the time of pilgrimage. It existed though upto the French Revolution, when it got looted. After that the church was used as "Temple of Reason", a prison and (like many churches) as a storage room for explosive saltpetre. The structure must have been in bad condition, as the crossing tower collapsed in 1816. It it got rebuilt from wood on a smaller scale. The collegiate church got restaurated in the second half of the 19th century, but in 1922 the wooden tower collapsed and caused lots of damage. The relics of Saint Julien were kept in a sacrophag from the 6th century on. This got entombed in the 12th century in a large, precious shrine. The southern side has 12 (of the 24) Elders of the Apocalypse, a Agnus Dei and the wooden door. Here are three of the Elders, holding vielles and "golden vials full of odours". To the right is a hinge of the wooden door. Note the "miniature architecture", even the capitals are nicely designed, one with a "pillar eater". Revelation 4:4 "Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads."

Legends tell, that Saint Junien has lived here as a hermit for 40 years. After Junien´s death (540) Bishop Roric from nearby Limoges had an oratorium built over the tomb. The oratorium soon was a place of pilgrimage and got enlarged over the next decades Gregory of Tours was impressed, when he visited the place in 593. This church got lost within the 9th century. Two centuries later a collegiate church got erected. It got consecrated by Raynaud, Bishop of Périgueux in 1100. The church got altered and enlarged a couple of times, but the collegiate lost the importance it had during the time of pilgrimage. It existed though upto the French Revolution, when it got looted. After that the church was used as "Temple of Reason", a prison and (like many churches) as a storage room for explosive saltpetre. The structure must have been in bad condition, as the crossing tower collapsed in 1816. It it got rebuilt from wood on a smaller scale. The collegiate church got restaurated in the second half of the 19th century, but in 1922 the wooden tower collapsed and caused lots of damage. The relics of Saint Julien were kept in a sacrophag from the 6th century on. This got entombed in the 12th century in this large, precious shrine. This is the southern side of the shrine. Below the wooden door in an "Agnus Dei" in a round mandorla. The crowned men are 12 (of the 24) Elders of the Apocalypse, holding vielles and "golden vials full of odours". I will upload more details. Revelation 4:4 "Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads."

Legends tell, that Saint Junien has lived here as a hermit for 40 years. After Junien´s death (540) Bishop Roric from nearby Limoges had an oratorium built over the tomb. The oratorium soon was a place of pilgrimage and got enlarged over the next decades Gregory of Tours was impressed, when he visited the place in 593. This church got lost within the 9th century. Two centuries later a collegiate church got erected. It got consecrated by Raynaud, Bishop of Périgueux in 1100. The church got altered and enlarged a couple of times, but the collegiate lost the importance it had during the time of pilgrimage. It existed though upto the French Revolution, when it got looted. After that the church was used as "Temple of Reason", a prison and (like many churches) as a storage room for explosive saltpetre. The structure must have been in bad condition, as the crossing tower collapsed in 1816. It it got rebuilt from wood on a smaller scale. The collegiate church got restaurated in the second half of the 19th century, but in 1922 the wooden tower collapsed and caused lots of damage. The relics of Saint Julien were kept in a sacrophag from the 6th century on. This got entombed in the 12th century in this large, precious shrine. The shrine was placed behind an altar. The left part of the shrine was integrated in that altar and so is artless.

Legends tell, that Saint Junien has lived here as a hermit for 40 years. After Junien´s death (540) Bishop Roric from nearby Limoges had an oratorium built over the tomb. The oratorium soon was a place of pilgrimage and got enlarged over the next decades Gregory of Tours was impressed, when he visited the place in 593. This church got lost within the 9th century. Two centuries later a collegiate church got erected. It got consecrated by Raynaud, Bishop of Périgueux in 1100. The church got altered and enlarged a couple of times, but the collegiate lost the importance it had during the time of pilgrimage. It existed though upto the French Revolution, when it got looted. After that the church was used as "Temple of Reason", a prison and (like many churches) as a storage room for explosive saltpetre. The structure must have been in bad condition, as the crossing tower collapsed in 1816. It it got rebuilt from wood on a smaller scale. The collegiate church got restaurated in the second half of the 19th century, but in 1922 the wooden tower collapsed and caused lots of damage. The relics of three venerable saints were kept here during the times of pilgrimage. Saint Julien, who had come to this place to become a disciple of an even older hermit known as Saint Amandus. Later relics of Saint Martial, who had been the first bishop of Limoges, were added. Saint Martial´s relics may have been kept in this reliquary, seen on a rotating display behind the dusty security-glass of the treasury. Limoges was famous for this kind of work.

Legends tell, that Saint Junien has lived here as a hermit for 40 years. After Junien´s death (540) Bishop Roric from nearby Limoges had an oratorium built over the tomb. The oratorium soon was a place of pilgrimage and got enlarged over the next decades Gregory of Tours was impressed, when he visited the place in 593. This church got lost within the 9th century. Two centuries later a collegiate church got erected. It got consecrated by Raynaud, Bishop of Périgueux in 1100. The church got altered and enlarged a couple of times, but the collegiate lost the importance it had during the time of pilgrimage. It existed though upto the French Revolution, when it got looted. After that the church was used as "Temple of Reason", a prison and (like many churches) as a storage room for explosive saltpetre. The structure must have been in bad condition, as the crossing tower collapsed in 1816. It it got rebuilt from wood on a smaller scale. The collegiate church got restaurated in the second half of the 19th century, but in 1922 the wooden tower collapsed and caused lots of damage. Many capitals seen from nave and choir depict atlanta in different poses, some mythical beasts and creatures like these griffins. There is still some colour.

Legends tell, that Saint Junien has lived here as a hermit for 40 years. After Junien´s death (540) Bishop Roric from nearby Limoges had an oratorium built over the tomb. The oratorium soon was a place of pilgrimage and got enlarged over the next decades Gregory of Tours was impressed, when he visited the place in 593. This church got lost within the 9th century. Two centuries later a collegiate church got erected. It got consecrated by Raynaud, Bishop of Périgueux in 1100. The church got altered and enlarged a couple of times, but the collegiate lost the importance it had during the time of pilgrimage. It existed though upto the French Revolution, when it got looted. After that the church was used as "Temple of Reason", a prison and (like many churches) as a storage room for explosive saltpetre. The structure must have been in bad condition, as the crossing tower collapsed in 1816. It it got rebuilt from wood on a smaller scale. The collegiate church got restaurated in the second half of the 19th century, but in 1922 the wooden tower collapsed and caused lots of damage. Many capitals seen from nave and choir depict atlants in different poses. Here is on of them.

Legends tell, that Saint Junien has lived here as a hermit for 40 years. After Junien´s death (540) Bishop Roric from nearby Limoges had an oratorium built over the tomb. The oratorium soon was a place of pilgrimage and got enlarged over the next decades Gregory of Tours was impressed, when he visited the place in 593. This church got lost within the 9th century. Two centuries later a collegiate church got erected. It got consecrated by Raynaud, Bishop of Périgueux in 1100. The church got altered and enlarged a couple of times, but the collegiate lost the importance it had during the time of pilgrimage. It existed though upto the French Revolution, when it got looted. After that the church was used as "Temple of Reason", a prison and (like many churches) as a storage room for explosive saltpetre. The structure must have been in bad condition, as the crossing tower collapsed in 1816. It it got rebuilt from wood on a smaller scale. The collegiate church got restaurated in the second half of the 19th century, but in 1922 the wooden tower collapsed and caused lots of damage. Meanwhile the crossing tower and the damaged choir are rebuilt.

Legends tell, that Saint Junien has lived here as a hermit for 40 years. After Junien´s death (540) Bishop Roric from nearby Limoges had an oratorium built over the tomb. The oratorium soon was a place of pilgrimage and got enlarged over the next decades Gregory of Tours was impressed, when he visited the place in 593. This church got lost within the 9th century. Two centuries later a collegiate church got erected. It got consecrated by Raynaud, Bishop of Périgueux in 1100. The church got altered and enlarged a couple of times, but the collegiate lost the importance it had during the time of pilgrimage. It existed though upto the French Revolution, when it got looted. After that the church was used as "Temple of Reason", a prison and (like many churches) as a storage room for explosive saltpetre. The structure must have been in bad condition, as the crossing tower collapsed in 1816. It it got rebuilt from wood on a smaller scale. The collegiate church got restaurated in the second half of the 19th century, but in 1922 the wooden tower collapsed and caused lots of damage. Meanwhile the crossing tower is rebuilt but now the western facade needs some care - and is hidden behind a scaffolding.