The Michelin Guide called the façade of the church "highly original... The church is Gothic even though it is 16C." I couldn't get inside the church to take photos because mass was being celebrated when I arrived. Remember that you can click on the photos with your mouse, or tap them with your finger on a tablet, to see them at a larger size, in more detail.
masterpiece of architecture
ReplyDeleteThe Michelin Guide comment is odd -- what else other than Gothic would it be in the 16C? Nevertheless it is unusual, and not very 16C looking. My guess is the front is very late 16C, transitioning into the Baroque. There are a lot of classical elements there. It certainly looks more Baroque than Gothic to me.
ReplyDeleteEven though the last avatar of the Gothic style was still in force until 1550, the Renaissance was introduced in France in the first quarter of the 16th century. So it means that two styles were in use in the 16th century : the nascent Renaissance and the dying Flamboyant.
ReplyDeleteThe front of the church is actually early 17th. The back end is Gothic. In between there are many elements of Renaissance style.
ReplyDeleteHow amazing it is that you can get such close up photos of so many elements of this church. Thanks, Ken!
ReplyDeleteI am always stunned at the amount of work, the scope of the entire Thing ... size, architecture, etc and that it was done before there were any tools or equipment that we know today that makes things a bit easier.
ReplyDeleteThe size and weight of the stones ... that alone just boggles my mind :)