Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Thouars

Thouars was an Aquitanien fortress, placed in a loop of the river Thouet. It was conquered and burnt down in 762 down by Pepin the Short, King of the Franks, who was accompanied by his 14 years old son, the future Charlemagne. A monastery was founded at this place in 1021. It was centered around relics of the popular Saint Lô (aka "Laud de Coutances"). The pilgrimage to these relics outgrew the early buildings soon and so a large church (and a bridge over the Thouet) got built during the first half of the 12th century. The massive Romanesque bell-tower seen here dates back to that church. A younger gothic bell tower, that existed as well, collapsed in 1711. The church get rebuilt, reconstructed, renovated many times. In a little chapel is the grave of unfortunate Margaret Stewart, Dauphine of France. To establish a diplomatic alliance during the 100 Year´s War, the daughter of James I of Scotland, was married to Louis XI of France (aka "The Prudent") at the age 11. Louis was 14 years old. He never liked her, she was mobbed by the French royal court and died, totally depressed, in 1445.

Thouars was an Aquitanien fortress, placed in a loop of the river Thouet. It was conquered and burnt down in 762 down by Pepin the Short, King of the Franks, who was accompanied by his 14 years old son, the future Charlemagne. In medieval times, the town prospered, and in the 12th century a large basilica-style church named "Saint-Médard-des-Champs" was erected just outside the city walls. Today this church is in the center of the town, that once was a stronghold of the Huguenots. After the revocation of the Edict of Nantes (1685) Thouars lost about half of its population, as most of the Huguenots migrated. The facade of Saint-Médard is created in the late Romanesque "style poitevin". The facade got "heavily" renovated during the 1870s. Here are two of the facade´s capitals. The the left is a musician accompanied by devils, probably standing for profane (sinful) music. To the right a man, being caught by the ears by a bird and a dragon. I doubt, that these carvings date back to the 12th century. They are so smooth, mint and complete, compared to other parts of the facade. I have the impression that they were added during the renovation end of the 19th century.

Thouars was an Aquitanien fortress, placed in a loop of the river Thouet. It was conquered and burnt down in 762 down by Pepin the Short, King of the Franks, who was accompanied by his 14 years old son, the future Charlemagne. In medieval times, the town prospered, and in the 12th century a large basilica-style church named "Saint-Médard-des-Champs" was erected just outside the city walls. Today this church is in the center of the town, that once was a stronghold of the Huguenots. After the revocation of the Edict of Nantes (1685) Thouars lost about half of its population, as most of the Huguenots migrated. The facade of Saint-Médard is created in the late Romanesque "style poitevin". The facade got "heavily" renovated during the 1870s. Most of the archivolts and the corbels, seen here, are a result of that work. Above the entrance door are large statues of Christ, flanked by angels, that are weathered and/or vandalized. The design seems like a prototype of the The "gallery of the kings", often seen on Gothic cathedrals (eg Reims Cathedral, Notre-Dame de Paris).

Thouars was an Aquitanien fortress, placed in a loop of the river Thouet. It was conquered and burnt down in 762 down by Pepin the Short, King of the Franks, who was accompanied by his 14 years old son, the future Charlemagne. In medieval times, the town prospered, and in the 12th century a large basilica-style church named "Saint-Médard-des-Champs" was erected just outside the city walls. Today this church is in the center of the town, that once was a stronghold of the Huguenots. After the revocation of the Edict of Nantes (1685) Thouars lost about half of its population, as most of the Huguenots migrated. The facade of Saint-Médard is created in the late Romanesque "style poitevin", the rose-window was added within the 15th century, when the bell tower was erected. The facade got "heavily" renovated during the 1870s. Most of the archivolts are a result of that work. Above the entrance door are large statues of Christ, flanked by angels. To the sides apostles and prophets. The design seems like a prototype of the The "gallery of the kings", often seen on Gothic cathedrals (eg Reims Cathedral, Notre-Dame de Paris )

Thouars was an Aquitanien fortress, placed in a loop of the river Thouet. It was conquered and burnt down in 762 down by Pepin the Short, King of the Franks, who was accompanied by his 14 years old son, the future Charlemagne. In medieval times, the town prospered, and in the 12th century a large basilica-style church named "Saint-Médard-des-Champs" was erected just outside the city walls. Today this church is in the center of the town, that once was a stronghold of the Huguenots. After the revocation of the Edict of Nantes (1685) Thouars lost about half of its population, as most of the Huguenots migrated. The facade of Saint-Médard is an example of the late Romanesque "style poitevin", the rose-window was added within the 15th century, when the bell tower was erected. It got "heavily" renovated during the 19th century.