https://www.ipernity.com/group/exquisitefrance/doc https://cdn.ipernity.com/p/101/11/D9/317713.buddy.jpg https://www.ipernity.com/group/exquisitefrance/doc A group for lovely photo of France. Sat, 23 May 2026 14:08:30 +0000 Sat, 23 May 2026 14:08:30 +0000 https://www.ipernity.com https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/53186590/in/group/317713 tag:ipernity.com,2025-12-26,doc-53186590 Fri, 26 Dec 2025 20:50:32 +0000 2025-08-15T17:28:52+01:00 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/323415/53186590/in/group/317713"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/65/90/53186590.f7968b46.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="172" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Paris is the capital and largest city of France, with over 2 million inhabitants and more than 13 million in the greater metropolitan area.<br /> <br /> The first line of the Paris Métro opened on July 19, 1900, to coincide with the Paris World's Fair.<br /> <br /> With a total length of 245.6 kilometers and 405 stops at 321 stations served by sixteen independent lines, the network is one of the largest in the world. An estimated 4.3 million people use the Paris Métro daily.<br /> <br /> This is the Cluny – La Sorbonne station. The station ceiling is decorated with mosaics and the handwritten signatures of famous figures associated with the nearby Sorbonne University.</div> Paris - Métro <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/323415/53186590/in/group/317713"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/65/90/53186590.f7968b46.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="172" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Paris is the capital and largest city of France, with over 2 million inhabitants and more than 13 million in the greater metropolitan area.<br /> <br /> The first line of the Paris Métro opened on July 19, 1900, to coincide with the Paris World's Fair.<br /> <br /> With a total length of 245.6 kilometers and 405 stops at 321 stations served by sixteen independent lines, the network is one of the largest in the world. An estimated 4.3 million people use the Paris Métro daily.<br /> <br /> This is the Cluny – La Sorbonne station. The station ceiling is decorated with mosaics and the handwritten signatures of famous figures associated with the nearby Sorbonne University.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/53186562/in/group/317713 tag:ipernity.com,2025-12-26,doc-53186562 Fri, 26 Dec 2025 20:03:57 +0000 2025-08-01T16:44:07+01:00 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/323415/53186562/in/group/317713"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/65/62/53186562.9deee3b6.240.jpg?r2" width="161" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Paris is the capital and largest city of France, with over 2 million inhabitants and more than 13 million in the greater metropolitan area.<br /> <br /> La Samaritaine has been a Parisian department store since 1869.<br /> <br /> Since 2001, it has been owned by the luxury goods group LVMH.<br /> La Samaritaine was closed in 2005 due to fire safety regulations and subsequently renovated. It reopened in 2021.</div> Paris - La Samaritaine <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/323415/53186562/in/group/317713"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/65/62/53186562.9deee3b6.240.jpg?r2" width="161" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Paris is the capital and largest city of France, with over 2 million inhabitants and more than 13 million in the greater metropolitan area.<br /> <br /> La Samaritaine has been a Parisian department store since 1869.<br /> <br /> Since 2001, it has been owned by the luxury goods group LVMH.<br /> La Samaritaine was closed in 2005 due to fire safety regulations and subsequently renovated. It reopened in 2021.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/53182274/in/group/317713 tag:ipernity.com,2025-12-21,doc-53182274 Sun, 21 Dec 2025 10:55:12 +0000 2025-08-01T15:00:46+01:00 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/323415/53182274/in/group/317713"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/22/74/53182274.b69f2b70.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="194" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">The first parish was founded here in the 10th century, as was the first castle hill with its outer bailey, and the population began to settle around the castle. In the 12th century, Gannat Castle was built outside the town walls, but directly adjacent to them.<br /> <br /> Today, Gannat has about 5,500 inhabitants<br /> <br /> The church is located outside the city center in the suburb of Saint-Étienne, surrounded by a graveyard. It is said, that the church was built in the early 10th century by Benedictine monks on the site of a Gallo-Roman temple. It is Romanesque but got remodeled several times.</div> Gannat - Saint-Étienne <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/323415/53182274/in/group/317713"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/22/74/53182274.b69f2b70.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="194" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">The first parish was founded here in the 10th century, as was the first castle hill with its outer bailey, and the population began to settle around the castle. In the 12th century, Gannat Castle was built outside the town walls, but directly adjacent to them.<br /> <br /> Today, Gannat has about 5,500 inhabitants<br /> <br /> The church is located outside the city center in the suburb of Saint-Étienne, surrounded by a graveyard. It is said, that the church was built in the early 10th century by Benedictine monks on the site of a Gallo-Roman temple. It is Romanesque but got remodeled several times.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/53177940/in/group/317713 tag:ipernity.com,2025-12-16,doc-53177940 Tue, 16 Dec 2025 20:28:44 +0000 2025-08-01T11:49:16+01:00 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/323415/53177940/in/group/317713"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/79/40/53177940.c0f92420.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="181" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">A first mention of the castle was done around 1250. It was then a property of the Papabeuf family but the castle went from hand to hand and may have been abandoned during the Hundred Years' War.<br /> <br /> In 1387 the new lord of Domeyrat was Pons de Langheac. His son inherited the title in 1421 and he has deeply restructured the castle. The de Langheac family kept the castle until 1656.<br /> <br /> The edifice was less and less maintained by its successive owners and began to be dismantled during the French Revolution.<br /> <br /> Bought by the Conseil général of Haute-Loire, it was listed as a Historical monument in 1983.<br /> <br /> <br /> <a href="https://chateaudomeyrat.fr/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">chateaudomeyrat.fr</a></div> Château Domeyrat <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/323415/53177940/in/group/317713"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/79/40/53177940.c0f92420.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="181" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">A first mention of the castle was done around 1250. It was then a property of the Papabeuf family but the castle went from hand to hand and may have been abandoned during the Hundred Years' War.<br /> <br /> In 1387 the new lord of Domeyrat was Pons de Langheac. His son inherited the title in 1421 and he has deeply restructured the castle. The de Langheac family kept the castle until 1656.<br /> <br /> The edifice was less and less maintained by its successive owners and began to be dismantled during the French Revolution.<br /> <br /> Bought by the Conseil général of Haute-Loire, it was listed as a Historical monument in 1983.<br /> <br /> <br /> <a href="https://chateaudomeyrat.fr/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">chateaudomeyrat.fr</a></div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/53173814/in/group/317713 tag:ipernity.com,2025-12-13,doc-53173814 Sat, 13 Dec 2025 20:39:37 +0000 2025-08-01T21:04:02+01:00 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/323415/53173814/in/group/317713"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/38/14/53173814.deb631f4.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="189" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille is a town with approximately 1,800 inhabitants. Around 1900, when rural depopulation began, the population was twice as high.<br /> <br /> A monastery is documented as early as the 6th century, and in 625, Abbot Eudes led the town. His nephew Theofredus was stoned to death here, which earned him the reputation of a martyr and saint (Saint Chaffre) among the monks. In 817, Louis the Pious had the abbey restored.<br /> <br /> Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille is also known because Robert Louis Stevenson began his journey through the Cévennes from here in 1878, as he describes in his book "Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes." Today, the Robert Louis Stevenson Trail (GR 70) begins here.</div> Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille <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/323415/53173814/in/group/317713"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/38/14/53173814.deb631f4.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="189" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille is a town with approximately 1,800 inhabitants. Around 1900, when rural depopulation began, the population was twice as high.<br /> <br /> A monastery is documented as early as the 6th century, and in 625, Abbot Eudes led the town. His nephew Theofredus was stoned to death here, which earned him the reputation of a martyr and saint (Saint Chaffre) among the monks. In 817, Louis the Pious had the abbey restored.<br /> <br /> Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille is also known because Robert Louis Stevenson began his journey through the Cévennes from here in 1878, as he describes in his book "Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes." Today, the Robert Louis Stevenson Trail (GR 70) begins here.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/53167972/in/group/317713 tag:ipernity.com,2025-12-06,doc-53167972 Sat, 06 Dec 2025 21:04:39 +0000 2025-08-06T13:00:06+01:00 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/323415/53167972/in/group/317713"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/79/72/53167972.974b5489.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="228" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">La Canourgue developed around a Benedictine monastery, which was founded as early as the 7th century and grew ever larger through donations.<br /> <br /> The narrow streets in the old town center, with their houses built of fieldstone and half-timbered construction, convey a medieval impression.<br /> <br /> <br /> St. Martin, the former abbey and later collegiate church, is located at the "Place au Ble" forms the center of the town.</div> La Canourgue - St. Martin <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/323415/53167972/in/group/317713"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/79/72/53167972.974b5489.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="228" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">La Canourgue developed around a Benedictine monastery, which was founded as early as the 7th century and grew ever larger through donations.<br /> <br /> The narrow streets in the old town center, with their houses built of fieldstone and half-timbered construction, convey a medieval impression.<br /> <br /> <br /> St. Martin, the former abbey and later collegiate church, is located at the "Place au Ble" forms the center of the town.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/53159896/in/group/317713 tag:ipernity.com,2025-11-26,doc-53159896 Wed, 26 Nov 2025 12:43:37 +0000 2025-08-01T16:00:30+01:00 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/323415/53159896/in/group/317713"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/98/96/53159896.13bc140b.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="186" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Toulouse, then known as Tolose, was an important Gallic city. It became part of the Roman Empire under the name of Tolosa. It was the capital of the province of Gallia Narbonensis, situated between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. From the 4th century onward, Toulouse was the seat of the Archdiocese of Toulouse. <br /> <br /> In 413, Toulouse became part of the Visigothic Kingdom. In 507, following the Visigoths' defeat by the Franks, the Visigothic kingdom of Toulouse came to an end. In 721, the city was unsuccessfully besieged by Arabs for several months. Upto 843, Toulouse was the seat of the Kingdom of Aquitaine, after which the independent County of Toulouse was established, a center of Languedoc culture.<br /> <br /> In 1208 Pope Innocent III called for a crusade against the Albigensians, during which the city was plundered. In 1228, after a grueling and destructive war of almost 20 years, Raymond VII of Toulouse gave up resistance and signed the Treaty of Paris.<br /> <br /> During the Renaissance, Toulouse was one of the wealthiest cities in France. Woad a plant that at the time provided the only stable blue dye, thrived well in the near Lauragais region. The city's dominant market position gradually ended after 1550, when the Portuguese began importing the more affordable indigo from their colonies.<br /> <br /> -<br /> French sculptor James Colomina describes his red figures as “street art” because they can be found everywhere in public spaces. Some of them can be found in Toulouse. Here, a man is fishing for one of the Olympic rings.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.james-colomina.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.james-colomina.com</a></div> Toulouse - James Colomina <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/323415/53159896/in/group/317713"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/98/96/53159896.13bc140b.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="186" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Toulouse, then known as Tolose, was an important Gallic city. It became part of the Roman Empire under the name of Tolosa. It was the capital of the province of Gallia Narbonensis, situated between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. From the 4th century onward, Toulouse was the seat of the Archdiocese of Toulouse. <br /> <br /> In 413, Toulouse became part of the Visigothic Kingdom. In 507, following the Visigoths' defeat by the Franks, the Visigothic kingdom of Toulouse came to an end. In 721, the city was unsuccessfully besieged by Arabs for several months. Upto 843, Toulouse was the seat of the Kingdom of Aquitaine, after which the independent County of Toulouse was established, a center of Languedoc culture.<br /> <br /> In 1208 Pope Innocent III called for a crusade against the Albigensians, during which the city was plundered. In 1228, after a grueling and destructive war of almost 20 years, Raymond VII of Toulouse gave up resistance and signed the Treaty of Paris.<br /> <br /> During the Renaissance, Toulouse was one of the wealthiest cities in France. Woad a plant that at the time provided the only stable blue dye, thrived well in the near Lauragais region. The city's dominant market position gradually ended after 1550, when the Portuguese began importing the more affordable indigo from their colonies.<br /> <br /> -<br /> French sculptor James Colomina describes his red figures as “street art” because they can be found everywhere in public spaces. Some of them can be found in Toulouse. Here, a man is fishing for one of the Olympic rings.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.james-colomina.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.james-colomina.com</a></div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/53143970/in/group/317713 tag:ipernity.com,2025-11-09,doc-53143970 Sun, 09 Nov 2025 22:16:25 +0000 2025-07-01T16:06:50+01:00 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/323415/53143970/in/group/317713"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/39/70/53143970.746b1743.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="194" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">The Bastide Rudelle was founded around 1250 by Bertrand de Cardaillac, the lord of Lacapelle-Marival, on a side route of the Camino de Santiago (Via Podiensis).<br /> <br /> The church of Saint-Martial was originally the chapel of a pilgrim hospital.<br /> <br /> The first mention of a fortified church dates back to 1320. The second level was likely added only in the 14th century as a refuge chamber to protect the inhabitants of Rudelle from the unrest caused by the passage of mercenary companies and bandits during the Hundred Years' War.<br /> <br /> It only became a parish church in the second half of the 15th century, in 1470, at the request of the inhabitants. In 1471, Astorg de Cardaillac, lord of Lacapelle-Marival, ceded his tower in Rudelle to the inhabitants so that they could take refuge there and store their belongings. However, they were required to maintain and repair it.<br /> <br /> In 1593, during the Wars of Religion, the Duke of Bouillon, Viscount of Turenne and a Protestant, came to besiege the tower, which was defended by the inhabitants of Rudelle.</div> Rudelle - St. Martial <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/323415/53143970/in/group/317713"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/39/70/53143970.746b1743.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="194" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">The Bastide Rudelle was founded around 1250 by Bertrand de Cardaillac, the lord of Lacapelle-Marival, on a side route of the Camino de Santiago (Via Podiensis).<br /> <br /> The church of Saint-Martial was originally the chapel of a pilgrim hospital.<br /> <br /> The first mention of a fortified church dates back to 1320. The second level was likely added only in the 14th century as a refuge chamber to protect the inhabitants of Rudelle from the unrest caused by the passage of mercenary companies and bandits during the Hundred Years' War.<br /> <br /> It only became a parish church in the second half of the 15th century, in 1470, at the request of the inhabitants. In 1471, Astorg de Cardaillac, lord of Lacapelle-Marival, ceded his tower in Rudelle to the inhabitants so that they could take refuge there and store their belongings. However, they were required to maintain and repair it.<br /> <br /> In 1593, during the Wars of Religion, the Duke of Bouillon, Viscount of Turenne and a Protestant, came to besiege the tower, which was defended by the inhabitants of Rudelle.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/53138596/in/group/317713 tag:ipernity.com,2025-11-07,doc-53138596 Fri, 07 Nov 2025 21:06:39 +0000 2025-07-01T13:55:20+01:00 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/323415/53138596/in/group/317713"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/85/96/53138596.5251ab63.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="228" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">The church of Saint-Pierre is one of the most unusual church buildings in southern France.<br /> <br /> The church was commissioned in 1540 by Galiot de Genouillac (1465–1546), who was born in Assier and was one of France's highest dignitaries. He designated it as his burial place. One of his many titles and duties was that of ‘Grand Master of Artillery of France’. <br /> The church was completed three years after his death. No alterations or extensions were made to the original church building, making the church in Assier a unique example of the transitional style from late Gothic to Renaissance.</div> Assier - St. Pierre <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/323415/53138596/in/group/317713"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/85/96/53138596.5251ab63.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="228" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">The church of Saint-Pierre is one of the most unusual church buildings in southern France.<br /> <br /> The church was commissioned in 1540 by Galiot de Genouillac (1465–1546), who was born in Assier and was one of France's highest dignitaries. He designated it as his burial place. One of his many titles and duties was that of ‘Grand Master of Artillery of France’. <br /> The church was completed three years after his death. No alterations or extensions were made to the original church building, making the church in Assier a unique example of the transitional style from late Gothic to Renaissance.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/53115244/in/group/317713 tag:ipernity.com,2025-10-21,doc-53115244 Tue, 21 Oct 2025 20:34:03 +0000 2025-07-01T14:31:10+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/323415/53115244/in/group/317713"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/52/44/53115244.b622f8a3.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="164" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">The Cité de Carcassonne, seen in the backdrop, is the large medieval fortress, that was saved by Prosper Mérimée and reconstructed by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc within the 19th century. It was added to UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites in 1997. With 4 million visitors a year, it is the city's main tourist attraction and one of the most visited destinations in France. The river Aude runs in the foreground.</div> Carcassonne - Cité <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/323415/53115244/in/group/317713"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/52/44/53115244.b622f8a3.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="164" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">The Cité de Carcassonne, seen in the backdrop, is the large medieval fortress, that was saved by Prosper Mérimée and reconstructed by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc within the 19th century. It was added to UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites in 1997. With 4 million visitors a year, it is the city's main tourist attraction and one of the most visited destinations in France. The river Aude runs in the foreground.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/christian-c/53106780/in/group/317713 tag:ipernity.com,2025-10-12,doc-53106780 Sun, 12 Oct 2025 16:01:13 +0000 2022-08-02T09:30:00+02:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Christian C) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/christian-c">Christian C</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/christian-c/53106780/in/group/317713"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/67/80/53106780.233c75bf.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="39" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Panorama sur la Maurienne</div> IMG 20220802 093130 - IMG 20220802 093152 <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/christian-c">Christian C</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/christian-c/53106780/in/group/317713"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/67/80/53106780.233c75bf.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="39" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Panorama sur la Maurienne</div> Christian C https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/53091192/in/group/317713 tag:ipernity.com,2025-09-29,doc-53091192 Mon, 29 Sep 2025 12:48:47 +0000 2025-07-01T16:18:00+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/323415/53091192/in/group/317713"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/11/92/53091192.2fc6ffeb.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="183" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Caen experienced rapid urban development in the 11th century. It was the center of a ducal domain and possessed markets and a port. It initially flourished as an important city in the Duchy of Normandy under William the Conqueror. He had a strong fortress built in Caen, as well as an abbey for women (Abbaye aux dames) and one for men (Abbaye aux hommes) around 1059, in which he was also buried. He had the monasteries built to atone for his marriage to his cousin Matilda, which was disapproved by the Pope. Both monasteries are among the most important architectural monuments in Normandy and are now used as parish churches.<br /> <br /> The castle is the former city fortress of the Norman dukes. The approximately 5.5-hectare Château de Caen is located at a height of approximately 10 to 20 meters between the two former abbeys – each approximately 700 meters apart.<br /> <br /> A rampart and moat system had existed on this site since the early 11th century. The construction of a fortress was by the Norman Duke William the Conqueror, who chose Caen as the capital of his duchy. At Christmas 1182, King Henry II of England and his two sons, Richard the Lionheart and John Lackland, received homage from more than 1,000 knights.<br /> <br /> In 1204, the French King Philip II reconquered the Duchy of Normandy. He and his successors had the castle expanded. During the French Revolution, the medieval keep was demolished. During the Allied invasion (June 1944), the city of Caen and thus also the castle were severely damaged by aerial bombs.</div> Caen - Château de Caen <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/323415/53091192/in/group/317713"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/11/92/53091192.2fc6ffeb.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="183" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Caen experienced rapid urban development in the 11th century. It was the center of a ducal domain and possessed markets and a port. It initially flourished as an important city in the Duchy of Normandy under William the Conqueror. He had a strong fortress built in Caen, as well as an abbey for women (Abbaye aux dames) and one for men (Abbaye aux hommes) around 1059, in which he was also buried. He had the monasteries built to atone for his marriage to his cousin Matilda, which was disapproved by the Pope. Both monasteries are among the most important architectural monuments in Normandy and are now used as parish churches.<br /> <br /> The castle is the former city fortress of the Norman dukes. The approximately 5.5-hectare Château de Caen is located at a height of approximately 10 to 20 meters between the two former abbeys – each approximately 700 meters apart.<br /> <br /> A rampart and moat system had existed on this site since the early 11th century. The construction of a fortress was by the Norman Duke William the Conqueror, who chose Caen as the capital of his duchy. At Christmas 1182, King Henry II of England and his two sons, Richard the Lionheart and John Lackland, received homage from more than 1,000 knights.<br /> <br /> In 1204, the French King Philip II reconquered the Duchy of Normandy. He and his successors had the castle expanded. During the French Revolution, the medieval keep was demolished. During the Allied invasion (June 1944), the city of Caen and thus also the castle were severely damaged by aerial bombs.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/53088692/in/group/317713 tag:ipernity.com,2025-09-26,doc-53088692 Fri, 26 Sep 2025 19:18:21 +0000 2025-07-01T13:16:29+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/323415/53088692/in/group/317713"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/86/92/53088692.0965e6ad.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="215" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">The cathedral "Notre-Dame de Bayeux" is the seat of the Bishop of Bayeux. It was the original home of the Bayeux Tapestry, that by now can be seen in the "Musée de la Tapisserie de Bayeux".<br /> <br /> As seen on the Bayeux Tapestry, it was here that William the Bastard forced Harold Godwinson to take the oath, the breaking of which led to the Norman conquest of England. So William got "the Conqueror".<br /> <br /> The preceding carolingian cathedral burnt down in 1047 and soon after the construction of the church seen today started. The cathedral got consecrated in 1077 by power-hungry Odon de Bayeux, who was William´s half-brother, well known warrior and bishop here. Of course, William was present during the consecration, as then he was Duke of Normandy and King of England. <br /> <br /> At that time the building was not completed, the construction site was seriously damaged twice by fire during the 12th century and, when the walls of the nave were built (1180) the style changed from Romanesque to Gothic.<br /> <br /> The cathedral got pillaged by Huguenots during the Wars of Religions, during the French Cathedral this was a "Temple de la Raison". Renovation and restauration of the cathedral started mid 19th century under the direction of Eugène Viollet-le-Duc.</div> Bayeux - Cathedrale <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/323415/53088692/in/group/317713"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/86/92/53088692.0965e6ad.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="215" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">The cathedral "Notre-Dame de Bayeux" is the seat of the Bishop of Bayeux. It was the original home of the Bayeux Tapestry, that by now can be seen in the "Musée de la Tapisserie de Bayeux".<br /> <br /> As seen on the Bayeux Tapestry, it was here that William the Bastard forced Harold Godwinson to take the oath, the breaking of which led to the Norman conquest of England. So William got "the Conqueror".<br /> <br /> The preceding carolingian cathedral burnt down in 1047 and soon after the construction of the church seen today started. The cathedral got consecrated in 1077 by power-hungry Odon de Bayeux, who was William´s half-brother, well known warrior and bishop here. Of course, William was present during the consecration, as then he was Duke of Normandy and King of England. <br /> <br /> At that time the building was not completed, the construction site was seriously damaged twice by fire during the 12th century and, when the walls of the nave were built (1180) the style changed from Romanesque to Gothic.<br /> <br /> The cathedral got pillaged by Huguenots during the Wars of Religions, during the French Cathedral this was a "Temple de la Raison". Renovation and restauration of the cathedral started mid 19th century under the direction of Eugène Viollet-le-Duc.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/53087010/in/group/317713 tag:ipernity.com,2025-09-24,doc-53087010 Wed, 24 Sep 2025 20:40:42 +0000 2025-07-01T15:27:03+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/323415/53087010/in/group/317713"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/70/10/53087010.d237c16c.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="229" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">The "Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Beauvais" is incomplete. Only the transept (16th c.) and choir, with apse and apsidal chapels (13th c.) are standing after a tragic history.<br /> The erection of the cathedral began in 1225. Within the 13th century, there was a race for the largest and tallest cathedral and the daring builders here took part in it.<br /> <br /> They pushed the technology to the limits. The choir was completed in 1272. Reaching 42,50m, this was the highest-vaulted cathedral in France. In 1284, 12 years after completion, parts of the vaults collapsed. The choir got rebuilt over the next decades, but more columns were added now in chevet and choir. Due to the 100 Years War, the construction came to a complete stop in 1347.<br /> <br /> The transepts were added to the choir 1500-1548. The vaultings of the southern transept reached 48,50m (still the highest worldwide) - and then a crossing tower was planned and built. This tower was completed in 1569, with 153m it was the highest of its time.<br /> <br /> Four years later (1573), when the large procession had just left the cathedral on the "Feast of the Ascension", the tower collapsed. It took again years to repair the damage. The building of the nave that once was planned was never started.</div> Beauvais - Cathédrale <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/323415/53087010/in/group/317713"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/70/10/53087010.d237c16c.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="229" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">The "Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Beauvais" is incomplete. Only the transept (16th c.) and choir, with apse and apsidal chapels (13th c.) are standing after a tragic history.<br /> The erection of the cathedral began in 1225. Within the 13th century, there was a race for the largest and tallest cathedral and the daring builders here took part in it.<br /> <br /> They pushed the technology to the limits. The choir was completed in 1272. Reaching 42,50m, this was the highest-vaulted cathedral in France. In 1284, 12 years after completion, parts of the vaults collapsed. The choir got rebuilt over the next decades, but more columns were added now in chevet and choir. Due to the 100 Years War, the construction came to a complete stop in 1347.<br /> <br /> The transepts were added to the choir 1500-1548. The vaultings of the southern transept reached 48,50m (still the highest worldwide) - and then a crossing tower was planned and built. This tower was completed in 1569, with 153m it was the highest of its time.<br /> <br /> Four years later (1573), when the large procession had just left the cathedral on the "Feast of the Ascension", the tower collapsed. It took again years to repair the damage. The building of the nave that once was planned was never started.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/53085888/in/group/317713 tag:ipernity.com,2025-09-23,doc-53085888 Tue, 23 Sep 2025 19:11:56 +0000 2025-07-01T12:29:27+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/323415/53085888/in/group/317713"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/58/88/53085888.2775ac3d.240.jpg?r2" width="237" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">The name of the town "Montdidier" comes from the fact that in 774 Didier, king of the Lombards defeated by Charlemagne, and his wife "Desiderada" were imprisoned on an estate belonging to the Abbey of Corbie, which was situated on a hill on the site where the town was later built, which was given the name "Montdidier". <br /> <br /> The original town hall was destroyed in the First World War. The current town hall is a brick building in the Art Deco style with stepped gables and a wavy brick pattern. It was built between 1927 and 1930 according to designs by the architects Charles Duval and Emmanuel Gonse.<br /> <br /> The belfry rises to 48 meters</div> Montdidier - Hôtel de Ville <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/323415/53085888/in/group/317713"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/58/88/53085888.2775ac3d.240.jpg?r2" width="237" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">The name of the town "Montdidier" comes from the fact that in 774 Didier, king of the Lombards defeated by Charlemagne, and his wife "Desiderada" were imprisoned on an estate belonging to the Abbey of Corbie, which was situated on a hill on the site where the town was later built, which was given the name "Montdidier". <br /> <br /> The original town hall was destroyed in the First World War. The current town hall is a brick building in the Art Deco style with stepped gables and a wavy brick pattern. It was built between 1927 and 1930 according to designs by the architects Charles Duval and Emmanuel Gonse.<br /> <br /> The belfry rises to 48 meters</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/53082540/in/group/317713 tag:ipernity.com,2025-09-19,doc-53082540 Fri, 19 Sep 2025 21:08:46 +0000 2025-07-01T15:49:51+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/323415/53082540/in/group/317713"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/25/40/53082540.1d63ad1b.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="225" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">The construction of the "Cathédrale Notre-Dame d'Amiens" started in 1220, after a predecessor Romanesque church burnt down two years earlier. Unusual for medieval structures, the first architects are known here. Robert de Luzarches was the architect until 1228. He was followed by Thomas de Cormont until 1258. His son, Renaud de Cormont, acted as the architect until 1288.<br /> <br /> Today Amiens Cathedral is the largest existing Gothic cathedral in France. There was a lot of competition between the cities and towns about the largest nave, the highest vaults. The long and relatively peaceful reign of Louis IX (aka "Saint Louis") brought prosperity to the region, so that Amiens could afford such a structure. The cathedral is 145m long (interior length 133,50m). The volume of the structure is about 200.000m³, Notre Dame de Paris has only about 100.000m³<br /> <br /> The west front, seen here, was built from 1220 to 1236, actually the building process started here. There are three vast deep porches, capped with the gallery of twenty-two over lifesize kings. During a cleaning process in the 1990s, it was discovered that the facade was originally painted in multiple colours. The south tower was completed in 1366, the north (highner) one in 1406.<br /> <br /> The rose window of the west façade was completed in 1225.</div> Amiens - Cathedral <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/323415/53082540/in/group/317713"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/25/40/53082540.1d63ad1b.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="225" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">The construction of the "Cathédrale Notre-Dame d'Amiens" started in 1220, after a predecessor Romanesque church burnt down two years earlier. Unusual for medieval structures, the first architects are known here. Robert de Luzarches was the architect until 1228. He was followed by Thomas de Cormont until 1258. His son, Renaud de Cormont, acted as the architect until 1288.<br /> <br /> Today Amiens Cathedral is the largest existing Gothic cathedral in France. There was a lot of competition between the cities and towns about the largest nave, the highest vaults. The long and relatively peaceful reign of Louis IX (aka "Saint Louis") brought prosperity to the region, so that Amiens could afford such a structure. The cathedral is 145m long (interior length 133,50m). The volume of the structure is about 200.000m³, Notre Dame de Paris has only about 100.000m³<br /> <br /> The west front, seen here, was built from 1220 to 1236, actually the building process started here. There are three vast deep porches, capped with the gallery of twenty-two over lifesize kings. During a cleaning process in the 1990s, it was discovered that the facade was originally painted in multiple colours. The south tower was completed in 1366, the north (highner) one in 1406.<br /> <br /> The rose window of the west façade was completed in 1225.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/53082538/in/group/317713 tag:ipernity.com,2025-09-19,doc-53082538 Fri, 19 Sep 2025 21:03:58 +0000 2025-07-01T23:03:58+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/323415/53082538/in/group/317713"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/25/38/53082538.7e346ad7.240.jpg?r2" width="234" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">The construction of the "Cathédrale Notre-Dame d'Amiens" started in 1220, after a predecessor Romanesque church burnt down two years earlier. Unusual for medieval structures, the first architects are known here. Robert de Luzarches was the architect until 1228. He was followed by Thomas de Cormont until 1258. His son, Renaud de Cormont, acted as the architect until 1288.<br /> <br /> Today Amiens Cathedral is the largest existing Gothic cathedral in France. There was a lot of competition between the cities and towns about the largest nave, the highest vaults. The long and relatively peaceful reign of Louis IX (aka "Saint Louis") brought prosperity to the region, so that Amiens could afford such a structure. The cathedral is 145m long (interior length 133,50m). The volume of the structure is about 200.000m³, Notre Dame de Paris has only about 100.000m³<br /> <br /> The west front, seen here, was built from 1220 to 1236, actually the building process started here. There are three vast deep porches, capped with the gallery of twenty-two over lifesize kings. During a cleaning process in the 1990s, it was discovered that the facade was originally painted in multiple colours. The south tower was completed in 1366, the north (highner) one in 1406.</div> Amiens - Cathedral <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/323415/53082538/in/group/317713"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/25/38/53082538.7e346ad7.240.jpg?r2" width="234" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">The construction of the "Cathédrale Notre-Dame d'Amiens" started in 1220, after a predecessor Romanesque church burnt down two years earlier. Unusual for medieval structures, the first architects are known here. Robert de Luzarches was the architect until 1228. He was followed by Thomas de Cormont until 1258. His son, Renaud de Cormont, acted as the architect until 1288.<br /> <br /> Today Amiens Cathedral is the largest existing Gothic cathedral in France. There was a lot of competition between the cities and towns about the largest nave, the highest vaults. The long and relatively peaceful reign of Louis IX (aka "Saint Louis") brought prosperity to the region, so that Amiens could afford such a structure. The cathedral is 145m long (interior length 133,50m). The volume of the structure is about 200.000m³, Notre Dame de Paris has only about 100.000m³<br /> <br /> The west front, seen here, was built from 1220 to 1236, actually the building process started here. There are three vast deep porches, capped with the gallery of twenty-two over lifesize kings. During a cleaning process in the 1990s, it was discovered that the facade was originally painted in multiple colours. The south tower was completed in 1366, the north (highner) one in 1406.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/53079184/in/group/317713 tag:ipernity.com,2025-09-17,doc-53079184 Wed, 17 Sep 2025 15:21:56 +0000 2025-06-01T20:12:33+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/323415/53079184/in/group/317713"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/91/84/53079184.66456cb3.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="183" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Sommer evening in Wasquehal (near Lille)</div> Wasquehal - Laverie <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/323415/53079184/in/group/317713"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/91/84/53079184.66456cb3.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="183" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Sommer evening in Wasquehal (near Lille)</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/christian-c/52882084/in/group/317713 tag:ipernity.com,2025-04-18,doc-52882084 Fri, 18 Apr 2025 16:48:00 +0000 2025-04-06T15:46:00+02:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Christian C) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/christian-c">Christian C</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/christian-c/52882084/in/group/317713"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/20/84/52882084.f7096943.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="160" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description"></div> DSN 9016(a)(1)R <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/christian-c">Christian C</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/christian-c/52882084/in/group/317713"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/20/84/52882084.f7096943.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="160" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description"></div> Christian C https://www.ipernity.com/doc/christian-c/52693710/in/group/317713 tag:ipernity.com,2024-11-14,doc-52693710 Thu, 14 Nov 2024 13:23:46 +0000 2024-07-26T11:20:32+01:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Christian C) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/christian-c">Christian C</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/christian-c/52693710/in/group/317713"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/37/10/52693710.53cb3d0b.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Le Monal et le Mont Pourri.</div> IMG 20240726 112032(a)R <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/christian-c">Christian C</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/christian-c/52693710/in/group/317713"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/37/10/52693710.53cb3d0b.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Le Monal et le Mont Pourri.</div> Christian C