To my eye, it's kind of strange to see a church tower like the one above in the same picture as a
port de plaisance (yacht basin). But that's the way it is in La Rochelle. The church is the
église Saint-Sauveur.
During the wars of religion in the late 1500s, Saint-Sauveur and other Catholic churches in La Rochelle were sacked, pillaged, and burned. Fearing a siege, the people of the city tore down churches and used the stone to construct fortifications. Only the tall Gothic tower was left standing because it served a military purpose — it made a good observation tower. The church was rebuilt between 1652 and 1679 after the French king Louis XIII took control of the city. That church was destroyed by fire in 1705. Another new church was built on the site. During the French Revolution, there was an effort to sell the church, but nobody wanted to buy it. It ended up being used a warehouse. And on and on... The photo just above shows what the church looked like when we were there in 2018.
To my eye, it's kind of strange to see a church tower like the one above in the same picture as a port de plaisance (yacht basin). But that's the way it is in La Rochelle. The church is the église Saint-Sauveur.
I've often mentioned how French churches and châteaux have been modified, enlarged, and rebuilt over the centuries. Saint-Sauveur de La Rochelle is a prime example. It was built in the year 1152 by monks who lived on the nearby island called l'Île d'Aix. That church was destroyed by fire in the year 1419. It was rebuilt in the flamboyant Gothic style. The work was completed in 1492.
During the wars of religion in the late 1500s, Saint-Sauveur and other Catholic churches in La Rochelle were sacked, pillaged, and burned. Fearing a siege, the people of the city tore down churches and used the stone to construct fortifications. Only the tall Gothic tower was left standing because it served a military purpose — it made a good observation tower. The church was rebuilt between 1652 and 1679 after the French king Louis XIII took control of the city. That church was destroyed by fire in 1705. Another new church was built on the site. During the French Revolution, there was an effort to sell the church, but nobody wanted to buy it. It ended up being used a warehouse. And on and on... The photo just above shows what the church looked like when we were there in 2018.
I complain about our political climate nowadays but I am really glad I didn't live when those religious wars were going on. I think lots of ancestors came here for religious freedom. I hope we never lose the separation of church and state that gives us that freedom.
ReplyDeleteThanks for telling us the history of Saint-Sauveur and the nice photos of what is left of the church.
ReplyDeleteSo much history. I like those thoughts, Evelyn.
ReplyDelete