https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/album/778556 https://cdn.ipernity.com/p/105/57/EF/323415.buddy.jpg https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/album/778556 Fri, 21 Aug 2026 19:21:46 +0000 Fri, 21 Aug 2026 19:21:46 +0000 https://www.ipernity.com https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38272950/in/album/778556 tag:ipernity.com,2015-05-21,doc-38272950 Thu, 21 May 2015 20:17:13 +0000 2015-04-01T00:00:00+02:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38272950/in/album/778556"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/29/50/38272950.92d3eb2c.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="189" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">The first church here was an oratorium, erected around 370 over a Roman graveyard and dedicated to St. Hilary, the first bishop of Poitiers.<br /> <br /> This chapel was destroyed by Vandals in 412, got rebuilt and got destroyed again by the Huns in 453. After that a convent settled here and rebuilt the oratorium, but it got again pillaged and ruined by Moorish and later Norman troops. <br /> <br /> The large church seen today dates mostly from the 11th century. A fire around 1100 destroyed the wooden roof. The new roof was from stone. It was so heavy that an extra row of columns on each side of the nave had to be build at that time.<br /> <br /> Thanks to the tomb of Saint-Hilaire, the church attracted many pilgrims following the Via Turonensis on their way to Santiago de Compostela. This tradition goes on, as even today there is a special "tampon" for the visiting "pelerins".<br /> <br /> Protestant troops damaged and pillaged the church in 1572 and when the tower collapsed in 1590, the facade and aisles were badly damaged. More damage and pillaging took place during the Revolution in 1793. <br /> <br /> The church was restored in 1870. This involved the rebuilding of the nave from the ground up. The western part of the nave got demolished and the (shortened) structure got a new facade<br /> <br /> The ambulatory and the chapels in the dim evening light.</div> Poitiers - Saint-Hilaire le Grand <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38272950/in/album/778556"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/29/50/38272950.92d3eb2c.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="189" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">The first church here was an oratorium, erected around 370 over a Roman graveyard and dedicated to St. Hilary, the first bishop of Poitiers.<br /> <br /> This chapel was destroyed by Vandals in 412, got rebuilt and got destroyed again by the Huns in 453. After that a convent settled here and rebuilt the oratorium, but it got again pillaged and ruined by Moorish and later Norman troops. <br /> <br /> The large church seen today dates mostly from the 11th century. A fire around 1100 destroyed the wooden roof. The new roof was from stone. It was so heavy that an extra row of columns on each side of the nave had to be build at that time.<br /> <br /> Thanks to the tomb of Saint-Hilaire, the church attracted many pilgrims following the Via Turonensis on their way to Santiago de Compostela. This tradition goes on, as even today there is a special "tampon" for the visiting "pelerins".<br /> <br /> Protestant troops damaged and pillaged the church in 1572 and when the tower collapsed in 1590, the facade and aisles were badly damaged. More damage and pillaging took place during the Revolution in 1793. <br /> <br /> The church was restored in 1870. This involved the rebuilding of the nave from the ground up. The western part of the nave got demolished and the (shortened) structure got a new facade<br /> <br /> The ambulatory and the chapels in the dim evening light.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38105332/in/album/778556 tag:ipernity.com,2015-05-11,doc-38105332 Mon, 11 May 2015 21:52:23 +0000 2015-04-01T00:00:00+02:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38105332/in/album/778556"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/53/32/38105332.221eb1c9.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="195" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Notre-Dame la Grande, a former collegiate church, was completed around 1150. This facade is a masterpiece of Romanesque art. I have visited Poitiers a couple of times - and spent hours in front of this church.<br /> <br /> Now, for the first (and probably last time) I had walked to Poitiers. As it was already late afternoon, I decided to stay an extra-day here, as there are more places Poitiers, that I wanted to visit.<br /> <br /> Notre-Dame la Grande marks the end of my walk, that I had started in Paris in 2014, for now. I hope to continue to Saintes or Pons later this year. Ultreïa!</div> Poitiers - Notre-Dame la Grande <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38105332/in/album/778556"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/53/32/38105332.221eb1c9.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="195" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Notre-Dame la Grande, a former collegiate church, was completed around 1150. This facade is a masterpiece of Romanesque art. I have visited Poitiers a couple of times - and spent hours in front of this church.<br /> <br /> Now, for the first (and probably last time) I had walked to Poitiers. As it was already late afternoon, I decided to stay an extra-day here, as there are more places Poitiers, that I wanted to visit.<br /> <br /> Notre-Dame la Grande marks the end of my walk, that I had started in Paris in 2014, for now. I hope to continue to Saintes or Pons later this year. Ultreïa!</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38099792/in/album/778556 tag:ipernity.com,2015-05-11,doc-38099792 Mon, 11 May 2015 14:20:11 +0000 2015-04-01T00:00:00+02:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38099792/in/album/778556"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/97/92/38099792.dc5103be.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I am not sure, wether Buxerolles is a northern suburb of Poitiers - or an independent commune. Anyway these two pilgrims welcomed me at the first of Buxerolles´ roundabouts.</div> Poitiers - Buxerolles <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38099792/in/album/778556"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/97/92/38099792.dc5103be.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I am not sure, wether Buxerolles is a northern suburb of Poitiers - or an independent commune. Anyway these two pilgrims welcomed me at the first of Buxerolles´ roundabouts.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38092934/in/album/778556 tag:ipernity.com,2015-05-10,doc-38092934 Sun, 10 May 2015 21:51:27 +0000 2015-04-01T00:00:00+02:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38092934/in/album/778556"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/29/34/38092934.7d3cb551.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">The skyline of Poitiers, seen from north, is not very "romantic". I reached the historic center, saw "Notre-Dame la Grande" and met the friendly lady at the "Tourist Office", who stamped by "credencial", about two hours later.</div> Poitiers - Skyline <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38092934/in/album/778556"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/29/34/38092934.7d3cb551.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">The skyline of Poitiers, seen from north, is not very "romantic". I reached the historic center, saw "Notre-Dame la Grande" and met the friendly lady at the "Tourist Office", who stamped by "credencial", about two hours later.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38092422/in/album/778556 tag:ipernity.com,2015-05-10,doc-38092422 Sun, 10 May 2015 21:29:27 +0000 2015-04-01T00:00:00+02:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38092422/in/album/778556"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/24/22/38092422.d12cb844.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="183" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">The very last signpost, before I reached Portiers. Just below the the "Coquille St. Jacques" an unknown person, named "Theo", had left the note "Je ne suis pas un être mais une existence".</div> Via Turonensis <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38092422/in/album/778556"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/24/22/38092422.d12cb844.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="183" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">The very last signpost, before I reached Portiers. Just below the the "Coquille St. Jacques" an unknown person, named "Theo", had left the note "Je ne suis pas un être mais une existence".</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38089516/in/album/778556 tag:ipernity.com,2015-05-10,doc-38089516 Sun, 10 May 2015 18:11:50 +0000 2015-04-07T11:18:48+02:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38089516/in/album/778556"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/95/16/38089516.e8ec8be1.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="181" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">A new name for the road.</div> Chasseneuil-du-Poitou - JE SUIS CHARLIE <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38089516/in/album/778556"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/95/16/38089516.e8ec8be1.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="181" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">A new name for the road.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38089358/in/album/778556 tag:ipernity.com,2015-05-10,doc-38089358 Sun, 10 May 2015 17:54:12 +0000 2015-04-01T00:00:00+02:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38089358/in/album/778556"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/93/58/38089358.e148d4c3.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="181" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Seen on the horizon is Chasseneuil-du-Poitou and to the right Futuroscope, a large theme park, attracting about 2.000.000 visitors per year.</div> Chasseneuil-du-Poitou - Futuroscope <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38089358/in/album/778556"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/93/58/38089358.e148d4c3.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="181" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Seen on the horizon is Chasseneuil-du-Poitou and to the right Futuroscope, a large theme park, attracting about 2.000.000 visitors per year.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38085380/in/album/778556 tag:ipernity.com,2015-05-10,doc-38085380 Sun, 10 May 2015 12:41:33 +0000 2015-04-01T00:00:00+02:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38085380/in/album/778556"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/53/80/38085380.f6dda0e7.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="181" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I had perfect spring weather, when I continued that morning. The Roman road run straight south. In a couple of hours I would reach Poitiers.</div> Via Turonensis <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38085380/in/album/778556"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/53/80/38085380.f6dda0e7.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="181" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I had perfect spring weather, when I continued that morning. The Roman road run straight south. In a couple of hours I would reach Poitiers.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38083608/in/album/778556 tag:ipernity.com,2015-05-10,doc-38083608 Sun, 10 May 2015 10:48:52 +0000 2015-04-01T00:00:00+02:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38083608/in/album/778556"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/36/08/38083608.1a439412.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="188" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">The castle was built in the late 15th for Pierre d'Amboise, bishop of Poitiers. It then served as a residence for all succeeding bishops of Poitiers up to the French Revolution. It got altered during the 18th and completely restored and rebuilt in the early 20th century - and now looks perfect.</div> Dissay - Château <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38083608/in/album/778556"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/36/08/38083608.1a439412.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="188" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">The castle was built in the late 15th for Pierre d'Amboise, bishop of Poitiers. It then served as a residence for all succeeding bishops of Poitiers up to the French Revolution. It got altered during the 18th and completely restored and rebuilt in the early 20th century - and now looks perfect.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38080660/in/album/778556 tag:ipernity.com,2015-05-09,doc-38080660 Sat, 09 May 2015 23:08:31 +0000 2015-04-01T00:00:00+02:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38080660/in/album/778556"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/06/60/38080660.d0b47637.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="181" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Having passed a golf course, the Roman road I was on, crossed the D82. The center of Saint-Cyr is to the right, but I continue straight ahead. The "Coquille St. Jacques" tells me, that I am on the right way.</div> Saint-Cyr - Crossroads <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38080660/in/album/778556"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/06/60/38080660.d0b47637.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="181" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Having passed a golf course, the Roman road I was on, crossed the D82. The center of Saint-Cyr is to the right, but I continue straight ahead. The "Coquille St. Jacques" tells me, that I am on the right way.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38079722/in/album/778556 tag:ipernity.com,2015-05-09,doc-38079722 Sat, 09 May 2015 20:51:56 +0000 2015-04-01T00:00:00+02:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38079722/in/album/778556"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/97/22/38079722.ef74a90a.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="186" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">It is believed, that, seen from here, is the field, where on October 25, 732 the Battle of Tours was fought.<br /> <br /> Charles Martel, commander of the Frank armee had recruited his troops through a general mobilization order, turning all subjects of the kingdom into soldiers. There were Franks, Burgundians, Alamans, Saxons, Frisians, Bavarians, Visigoths and also Gallo Romans of Aquitaine, led by Eudes, who had been defeated near Bordeaux before.<br /> <br /> Charles Martel may have commanded 15.000 - 20.000 soldiers here (some estimate even 80.000).<br /> <br /> Approaching from south was the Moorish/Arab army, as well about 20.000 soldiers, commanded by Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi (aka "Abd ar-Rahman"). Since 711, when troops of the "Umayyad Caliphate" had crossed the Strait of Gibraltar, the Visigothic Kingdom was conquered, the Roman province Septimania (today Languedoc-Roussillon) was added to the Caliphate and raids had been made into northern Gaul.<br /> <br /> This was a fierce battle, with thousands of casualties in both sides. After Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi had been killed, the Moorish armee retreated.<br /> <br /> What may have been a strong action against a looting and plundering armee in Frankish territory, was seen by many 19th century historians<br /> as the decisive turning point in the struggle against Islam, a struggle which preserved Christianity as the religion of Europe. For them Charles Martel the savior of Christendom. German Leopold von Ranke wrote that "Poitiers was the turning point of one of the most important epochs in the history of the world."</div> Moussais-la-Bataille - Battlefield <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38079722/in/album/778556"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/97/22/38079722.ef74a90a.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="186" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">It is believed, that, seen from here, is the field, where on October 25, 732 the Battle of Tours was fought.<br /> <br /> Charles Martel, commander of the Frank armee had recruited his troops through a general mobilization order, turning all subjects of the kingdom into soldiers. There were Franks, Burgundians, Alamans, Saxons, Frisians, Bavarians, Visigoths and also Gallo Romans of Aquitaine, led by Eudes, who had been defeated near Bordeaux before.<br /> <br /> Charles Martel may have commanded 15.000 - 20.000 soldiers here (some estimate even 80.000).<br /> <br /> Approaching from south was the Moorish/Arab army, as well about 20.000 soldiers, commanded by Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi (aka "Abd ar-Rahman"). Since 711, when troops of the "Umayyad Caliphate" had crossed the Strait of Gibraltar, the Visigothic Kingdom was conquered, the Roman province Septimania (today Languedoc-Roussillon) was added to the Caliphate and raids had been made into northern Gaul.<br /> <br /> This was a fierce battle, with thousands of casualties in both sides. After Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi had been killed, the Moorish armee retreated.<br /> <br /> What may have been a strong action against a looting and plundering armee in Frankish territory, was seen by many 19th century historians<br /> as the decisive turning point in the struggle against Islam, a struggle which preserved Christianity as the religion of Europe. For them Charles Martel the savior of Christendom. German Leopold von Ranke wrote that "Poitiers was the turning point of one of the most important epochs in the history of the world."</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38057292/in/album/778556 tag:ipernity.com,2015-05-08,doc-38057292 Fri, 08 May 2015 08:56:52 +0000 2015-04-01T00:00:00+02:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38057292/in/album/778556"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/72/92/38057292.fdfc13df.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Heading south. In October 732 Charles Martel led an armee south here. The Frankish armee was supported by Lombard, Saxon and Frisian troops. Even Charles Martel´s old opponent Odo the Great, Duke of Aquitaine and his troops had joined the armee.</div> Roman Road <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38057292/in/album/778556"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/72/92/38057292.fdfc13df.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Heading south. In October 732 Charles Martel led an armee south here. The Frankish armee was supported by Lombard, Saxon and Frisian troops. Even Charles Martel´s old opponent Odo the Great, Duke of Aquitaine and his troops had joined the armee.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38056832/in/album/778556 tag:ipernity.com,2015-05-08,doc-38056832 Fri, 08 May 2015 07:59:41 +0000 2015-04-01T00:00:00+02:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38056832/in/album/778556"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/68/32/38056832.636e8e8d.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="182" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">The ruins of the semicircular theatre of "Vetus Pictavis" (aka "Vieux Poitiers"), a Gallo-Roman city, partly excavated by archaeologists. It was founded near the confluence of the rivers Clain and Vienne within the 1. century. The theater had a seating capacity of 10.000. The chemin ("Via Turonensis") is clearly marked - and turns left here.</div> Naintré - Vieux Poitiers <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38056832/in/album/778556"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/68/32/38056832.636e8e8d.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="182" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">The ruins of the semicircular theatre of "Vetus Pictavis" (aka "Vieux Poitiers"), a Gallo-Roman city, partly excavated by archaeologists. It was founded near the confluence of the rivers Clain and Vienne within the 1. century. The theater had a seating capacity of 10.000. The chemin ("Via Turonensis") is clearly marked - and turns left here.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38053572/in/album/778556 tag:ipernity.com,2015-05-07,doc-38053572 Thu, 07 May 2015 21:57:58 +0000 2015-04-01T00:00:00+02:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38053572/in/album/778556"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/35/72/38053572.973b4664.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">The tower, seen in the background, belongs to "Vetus Pictavis" (aka "Vieux Poitiers"), a Gallo-Roman city, partly excavated by archaeologists. It was founded near the confluence of the rivers Clain and Vienne within the 1. century.</div> Naintré - Vieux Poitiers <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38053572/in/album/778556"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/35/72/38053572.973b4664.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">The tower, seen in the background, belongs to "Vetus Pictavis" (aka "Vieux Poitiers"), a Gallo-Roman city, partly excavated by archaeologists. It was founded near the confluence of the rivers Clain and Vienne within the 1. century.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38051184/in/album/778556 tag:ipernity.com,2015-05-07,doc-38051184 Thu, 07 May 2015 19:16:22 +0000 2015-04-01T00:00:00+02:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38051184/in/album/778556"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/11/84/38051184.f4866698.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="183" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">To walk out of Châtellerault was a little boring. Having passed the (privately owned) Château des Sources I crossed the Vienne and entered Cenon sur Vienne.</div> Cenon sur Vienne - Château des Sources <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38051184/in/album/778556"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/11/84/38051184.f4866698.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="183" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">To walk out of Châtellerault was a little boring. Having passed the (privately owned) Château des Sources I crossed the Vienne and entered Cenon sur Vienne.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38047182/in/album/778556 tag:ipernity.com,2015-05-07,doc-38047182 Thu, 07 May 2015 12:51:03 +0000 2015-04-01T00:00:00+02:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38047182/in/album/778556"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/71/82/38047182.2e81c588.240.jpg?r2" width="180" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Châtellerault has been a halt for the pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela from the very beginning - and of course they all of them stopped at this church to pray. The construction of the church started in 1008 on the ruins of the chapel of an even older Saint-Jacques priory. <br /> <br /> In the heydays of the pilgrimage numerous hospices, inns and "auberges", all centered around this church, offered their services. <br /> <br /> This large, wooden statue of Saint Jacques is placed on a side aisle of the church. When it was carved within the 17th century, these heydays were already long ago.</div> Châtellerault - Saint-Jacques <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38047182/in/album/778556"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/71/82/38047182.2e81c588.240.jpg?r2" width="180" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Châtellerault has been a halt for the pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela from the very beginning - and of course they all of them stopped at this church to pray. The construction of the church started in 1008 on the ruins of the chapel of an even older Saint-Jacques priory. <br /> <br /> In the heydays of the pilgrimage numerous hospices, inns and "auberges", all centered around this church, offered their services. <br /> <br /> This large, wooden statue of Saint Jacques is placed on a side aisle of the church. When it was carved within the 17th century, these heydays were already long ago.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38046730/in/album/778556 tag:ipernity.com,2015-05-07,doc-38046730 Thu, 07 May 2015 11:42:02 +0000 2015-04-01T00:00:00+02:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38046730/in/album/778556"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/67/30/38046730.70b96df8.240.jpg?r2" width="156" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Châtellerault has been a halt for the pilgrims to Santiago de Compostella from the very beginning - and of course they all of them stopped at this church. The construction of the church started in 1008 on the ruins of the chapel of an even older Saint-Jacques priory. <br /> <br /> The facade and the towers, seen here, are a result of a major rebuilding project done in the 19th century. Prosper Mérimée, the inspector-general of historical monuments, did not like this (overdone) restoration at all.</div> Châtellerault - Saint-Jacques <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38046730/in/album/778556"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/67/30/38046730.70b96df8.240.jpg?r2" width="156" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Châtellerault has been a halt for the pilgrims to Santiago de Compostella from the very beginning - and of course they all of them stopped at this church. The construction of the church started in 1008 on the ruins of the chapel of an even older Saint-Jacques priory. <br /> <br /> The facade and the towers, seen here, are a result of a major rebuilding project done in the 19th century. Prosper Mérimée, the inspector-general of historical monuments, did not like this (overdone) restoration at all.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38045814/in/album/778556 tag:ipernity.com,2015-05-07,doc-38045814 Thu, 07 May 2015 10:16:00 +0000 2015-04-01T00:00:00+02:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38045814/in/album/778556"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/58/14/38045814.a2f3a011.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">After having passed the ugly commercial zone along the D910", dotted with cheap hotels and hamburger-restaurants, I finally reached the inner city of Châtellerault, where the "chemin" runs along the Vienne. Here is the "Pont Henri-IV", built from 1565 to 1609. The bridge is framed by two round towers on left bank of Vienne river.</div> Châtellerault - Pont Henri-IV <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38045814/in/album/778556"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/58/14/38045814.a2f3a011.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">After having passed the ugly commercial zone along the D910", dotted with cheap hotels and hamburger-restaurants, I finally reached the inner city of Châtellerault, where the "chemin" runs along the Vienne. Here is the "Pont Henri-IV", built from 1565 to 1609. The bridge is framed by two round towers on left bank of Vienne river.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38042358/in/album/778556 tag:ipernity.com,2015-05-06,doc-38042358 Wed, 06 May 2015 22:33:46 +0000 2015-04-01T00:00:00+02:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38042358/in/album/778556"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/23/58/38042358.700eefb9.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="173" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Spring is in the air. The field is ploughed. Hamlets line the horizont. I remembered, that some years ago, I had taken photos of the Romanesque church in Ingrandes, but I stayed on the track, as I had planned to reach Châtellerault in noontime.<br /> Only a few kilometers east is the village Oyre. There is another great church, that I had found that year.</div> Ingrandes - Spring <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38042358/in/album/778556"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/23/58/38042358.700eefb9.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="173" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Spring is in the air. The field is ploughed. Hamlets line the horizont. I remembered, that some years ago, I had taken photos of the Romanesque church in Ingrandes, but I stayed on the track, as I had planned to reach Châtellerault in noontime.<br /> Only a few kilometers east is the village Oyre. There is another great church, that I had found that year.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38032722/in/album/778556 tag:ipernity.com,2015-05-05,doc-38032722 Tue, 05 May 2015 22:08:04 +0000 2015-04-01T00:00:00+02:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38032722/in/album/778556"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/27/22/38032722.3786cb19.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">The "Priory of Saint Sulpice" is located about 4km south east of Les Ormes, near the "Château de La Fontaine". The priory was depended from the Benedictine "Abbey of Noyers", founded near Nouatre (16km north) in 1030. <br /> <br /> In 1035 land was given to the abbey here, so the the abbey could establish the priory soon after. The size of area was defined by what "could be ploughed by six oxes within a day" (~10 acres). This makes clear, that the monks installed a working farm here, producing food and funds for the abbey. This is still clearly visible, as many buildings of the priory still exist. Over the centuries a small hamlet grew up around the (fortified!) priory.<br /> <br /> <br /> The priory is privately owned since the French Revolution. We were lucky, to meet the owner, who not only allowed us to enter the premises but also showed us the priory and told us many details of it´s history. <br /> <br /> Merci beaucoup!<br /> <br /> The priory existed through many wars and feuds including the Hundred Years War and the French Wars of Religion. After the French Revolution all monks and lay brothers had left and the priory got sold. Soon after a school was installed in the church building. A perfect place to leave carved graffiti. These faces are from an outside wall.</div> Les Ormes - Prieuré de Saint Sulpice <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/38032722/in/album/778556"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/27/22/38032722.3786cb19.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">The "Priory of Saint Sulpice" is located about 4km south east of Les Ormes, near the "Château de La Fontaine". The priory was depended from the Benedictine "Abbey of Noyers", founded near Nouatre (16km north) in 1030. <br /> <br /> In 1035 land was given to the abbey here, so the the abbey could establish the priory soon after. The size of area was defined by what "could be ploughed by six oxes within a day" (~10 acres). This makes clear, that the monks installed a working farm here, producing food and funds for the abbey. This is still clearly visible, as many buildings of the priory still exist. Over the centuries a small hamlet grew up around the (fortified!) priory.<br /> <br /> <br /> The priory is privately owned since the French Revolution. We were lucky, to meet the owner, who not only allowed us to enter the premises but also showed us the priory and told us many details of it´s history. <br /> <br /> Merci beaucoup!<br /> <br /> The priory existed through many wars and feuds including the Hundred Years War and the French Wars of Religion. After the French Revolution all monks and lay brothers had left and the priory got sold. Soon after a school was installed in the church building. A perfect place to leave carved graffiti. These faces are from an outside wall.</div> Martin M. Miles