Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Sainte-Marie

Souillac is a town, that I cannot pass, without stopping and visiting the former abbey church. Legends tell, that the abbey was founded by Saint Eligius (Saint Eloi), advisor of Merovingian King Dagobert I. The abbey got destroyed by the Saracens, and Charlemagne commissioned the reconstruction, which again was ruined got by Norman invaders. Of course, it got looted during the Wars of Religions but existed up to the French Revolution. The abbey church, today serving the parish, got built on the blueprint of a Latin Cross in the 12th century. The single nave is about 15 ms wide. Above are no vaults, but three domes. Inside this fantastic church are two Romanesque works of art, that are breathtaking. But - the church was locked.

Inside this fantastic church are two romanesque works of art, that are breathtaking. I had seen them already a couple of times, but I just had to see them again (and take more photos). But - this sunday all Dutch, who live in Southern France had gathered here for a Dutch mass, that just started, when we arrived. We had actually planned to attend "Souillac En Jazz", but we had changed plans. I still had a stretch to walk. So after this photo of the former abbey churches apse and radiating chapels was taken, we continued west.