Tuesday 28 June 2011

Round and About - Aixe-sur-Vienne Part 4

Following on from Part1, Part 2 and Part 3, here is my final post on Aixe-sur-Vienne.

L’église Sainte-Croix (The church Sainte-Croix) dates back to the 13th century.  It was built true to tradition and it would have been a place where travellers who were returning from Jerusalem would have stopped. The South Chapel was added in the 15th century.  Various changes were made over the years, but in 1767, there was severe lightning damage to the bell tower and major repairs took place in 1768.  In the 1800's, there were various repairs with restoration finishing in 1884. Further restoration of the tower and the West wing were done in 1983.  The three-span vaulted warheads of the nave are from the 16th century, and were restored in 2002.  The church contains great treasures as there are 21 shrines there.








Finally, here are a couple more photos that I took of the medieval bridge  when I visited it with my friend a couple of weeks ago. I think they are an improvement on my previous efforts!! See Part 3

 This one was of a house downstream which, I imagine, had an industrial use at some stage, with its very high chimney.  There was a man happily fishing on the wall, but I think he must have moved behind the tree!  My friend is in the foreground taking her own photos.
It was so peaceful and tranquil here with only the birds singing in the background. 

64 comments:

  1. Hello Diane:
    The church of Sainte Croix is so very pretty and how remarkable that this place of worship has been on that spot since the C13. One really does feel a part of living history when observing such architectural treasures.

    You have captured such peace and tranquility in your photographs and we can feel a real sense of place through them. We have so enjoyed our tour and your posts make a marvellous record of your visit.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks Jane and Lance. My friend could not believe how quiet it was in the church and then the tranquillity down by the water. She had just arrived so it was a good way to shake of the dust of air travel. Take care Diane

    ReplyDelete
  3. What an awesome place Diane. Can't believe it dates so far back and that there is so much known about the church. I am in awe of the craftsmanship of the people in those days when the church was built. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This has been by far my fav of your wonderful series on Aixe-sur-Vienne because I love Churches. My deep faith of course is the more important reason, but my love of history is another. Especially churches dating from the 11th-13th centuries. I would want to visit all 21 Shrines! Would this Church be on the pilgrims' route to Santiago de Compostela in Spain?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Diane,
    I love the stained glass windows, and the effect they have on the light inside the church.
    You've convinced me to stop off at Aix-sur-Vienne on my next trip to Limoges airport. I always take the quicker trip down the auroroute, but come back a more scenic route and combine the journey with a visit to somewhere I/we haven't seen.

    ReplyDelete
  6. It's so pretty by that stream. Maybe the house was once a grist mill?

    ReplyDelete
  7. You have some wonderful pictures and some history to accompany that. I love the Medieval Bridges!

    I got your comment that you tried visiting me but could not. I am not sure why as other friends are still able to visit me. My blog had some issues few weeks back but now it is ok I think and I checked it in other computers too with different Anti virus settings and it is not flagged. I really do appreciate that you tried to find a way to contact me and let me know that you tried. Thanks so much for that.

    I hope you are having lots of good time in this summer. Have fun and enjoy the Sun!
    Cruise Pictures

    ReplyDelete
  8. The whole feel is romantic and old=time.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love taking photo journeys with you. Thanks for taking us along.

    Velva

    ReplyDelete
  10. So amazing to see structures so old and glad for the restorations. Does look very peaceful.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wonderful photos. I especially love the stained glass windows.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wow, thanks for sharing another gorgeous place of your trip. The view is beautiful and very comfortable as well....totally eye feasting.
    Hope you're enjoying your day.
    Kristy

    ReplyDelete
  13. Lovely shots Diane. You captured the stained glass windows really well. The bridge looks excellent too. Thanks for the tour.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Becca I have to agree how did the people that long ago build such marvellous buildings without the equipment we have today. It never ceases to amaze me!! Diane

    ReplyDelete
  15. Dolly I know very little about the Pilgrim Routes, but the history of this church does state, that it is where a pilgrim would have rested returning from Jerusalem and bearer of a fragment of the true cross. After reading the history, I realised that I should have spent more time there, but as always I take the photos and then look up the history later :-( Diane

    ReplyDelete
  16. GaynorB, take a look at a map of Aixe before you go as I missed a lot on my visit, you need to know where to look. I just stopped off and walked aimlessly the first time, and only then because I knew where the pottery shop was! I also do not usually use that route any more since the new road opened. Diane

    ReplyDelete
  17. Margie you may well be right but there may be more to it as it is built right on the river. I did not find anything about it when I was searching the history of the town, but I as everything is in French I may well have missed it !! Diane

    ReplyDelete
  18. Sailor I have just tried again now and the moment I click on your blog it says malware has been detected and will not allow me in!!! Diane

    ReplyDelete
  19. Rosaria, old time is the right word and oh so peaceful. Diane

    ReplyDelete
  20. Velva thanks for joining me, it is nice to know that the trips are appreciated. Diane

    ReplyDelete
  21. Gaelyn it is good that the old buildings are generally well looked after but especially the churches. Diane

    ReplyDelete
  22. Joyful the stained glass windows in this church were particularly beautiful, but I battle to take photos of them as the light behind is always so bright. I only have a cheap camera and I have not idea how to do fancy settings !!! Diane

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thanks Kristy, it really is peaceful there both in the church and by the river. Have a good week. Diane

    ReplyDelete
  24. Craig thanks for the kind comments. Wish I knew more about photography and settings as the pictures of the windows could be improved on but.... Diane

    ReplyDelete
  25. thanks for taking the time to research one of my more local towns - why is it I never get the time to do so myself?!!!
    Hope to catch up with you next time xx

    ReplyDelete
  26. Une France profonde, calme et sereine.
    Ça donne envie de partir en vacance tout de suite.
    A très bientôt.

    ReplyDelete
  27. As always, a lovely post. I can feel the fragrance of French fields. Could it be the smell of lavender drifting from the south?

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hi Roz, yes I hope so too. I will soon be running out of places to research as the only road I seem to use is the one to Limoges and back. I try various scenic routes but there is a limit!! Diane

    ReplyDelete
  29. Nadji, oui vacances maintenant serait parfait:-) A bientôt, Diane

    ReplyDelete
  30. Olga I can smell the fragrance of lavender from my garden :-))) Diane

    ReplyDelete
  31. Diane, I have always lusted after those medieval door hinges... don't know why, I just love them! I was so hoping to get to France this trip but can't do it this time... maybe next year!

    ReplyDelete
  32. lostpastremembered I agree those hinges are very special. Hopefully we will still be here next year :-) Diane

    ReplyDelete
  33. I like, so much, the curved bridges.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Beautiful Church and countryside - just lovely. I'm very excited as we may be coming to Paris - can't wait!
    Mary

    ReplyDelete
  35. Abe I have to agree with you I also love the bridge, it is a pity that the other part of it has gone AWOL. Diane

    ReplyDelete
  36. Mary, Mum's Kitchen, I am sure you will love Paris but sadly it is a very long way from us so we will not get to meet you. Diane

    ReplyDelete
  37. Oh Diane, your posts take my breath away! This is a nice and elegant church, a true and fine example of Romanesque style! Just love the cast iron design on the door. Magnificently built bridge! What a place indeed! Arthur

    ReplyDelete
  38. michelangelo, Thanks so much for your very kind comments. I have been driving through this town on a regular basis, to and from the airport for 6 years. It is only now I have discovered how much history is attached to the place!! If it were not for blogging I would probably still not have known anything! Diane

    ReplyDelete
  39. so the fishing man hasgone hiding becos he saw you and your friend? haha! anyway, it was nice looking at all the photos that you have taken during this trip!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Diane, I know what you mean about the backlight coming through the windows. You've overcome the challenges marvellously. Your photos are much better than mine looking through windows :-)

    ReplyDelete
  41. Lena maybe you are right, he just took one look at us and went into hiding:-)) Diane

    ReplyDelete
  42. Joyful if I have overcome them it is thanks to the auto setting on the camera, I have no idea what I am doing!! Diane

    ReplyDelete
  43. It is good to be back at last catching up with your blogging activities, have really enjoyed your recent virtual tours and the chocolate.:)

    ReplyDelete
  44. You always come across the prettiest sceneries. Love the church and the bridge =)

    ReplyDelete
  45. enjoyed the lovely posts in your site looks wonderful

    ReplyDelete
  46. Linda it is good to have you back, life has been a bit chaotic for you over the past few months. Glad you have enjoyed the tours. Diane

    ReplyDelete
  47. Thanks Peggy but it is not that hard to find pretty scenes in France they are all over the place. Diane

    ReplyDelete
  48. I love the photos! The church looks amazing! I love the stain glass windows, so beautiful. Thanks for your comment on my blog!

    Cheers,
    Yas
    www.tickle-your-tastebuds.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  49. Torviewtoronto than you so much for your visit, I am happy that you enjoyed my posts. Take care Diane

    ReplyDelete
  50. Yasmin most of the churches here have beautiful stained glass windows but I find them difficult to take photos of because of the back light. Thanks for your visit. Diane

    ReplyDelete
  51. C'est avec plaisir que je retrouve la meilleure guide anglophone de cette belle région ! Merci de faire partager à vos lecteurs le goût de ces lieux chargés d'histoire!
    Bravo aussi pour votre jardin, en espérant que vos plantes auront bénéficié des dernières pluies sans faire de dégâts!

    ReplyDelete
  52. Luci, merci pour votre visite et vos aimables et encourageants commentaires. Nous n'avons toujours pas de pluie!!!! A bientôt. Diane

    ReplyDelete
  53. What a lovely spot. That bridge looks so tranquil and the water most inviting. I love to take these tours with you. It is always a pleasure to see new sights. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

    ReplyDelete
  54. Thanks Mary it was very tranquil around there, Have a great weekend. Diane

    ReplyDelete
  55. I have thoroughly enjoyed this series of posts and am sorry that they have come to an end. That said I am looking forward to the next post very much, whatever it may be. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  56. Thanks Froggy, the next post is a bit more artistic, then I will go back to villages and the garden again. Not that the latter is doing very well thanks to still no rain!! Take care, Diane

    ReplyDelete
  57. Bon dimanche et à bientôt.

    ReplyDelete
  58. What a beautiful place to visit. It's just amazing to me how some of these churches have survived the ravages of times and so hard to believe how old they are. It's nice to know they are well taken care of now.
    Sam

    ReplyDelete
  59. Merci Nadji, Bon dimanche à vous aussi. Diane

    ReplyDelete
  60. Sam I am continually amazed at these beautiful old buildings and how they have (with some help) survived. I am even more amazed as to how they were built with out the tools we have today. Diane

    ReplyDelete
  61. Interesting bridge, I was going to ask you if that stone arch beside it was sculptural, but I found the link to your old post which answered that question. Interesting things you have here on your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  62. Thanks Stone Art's blog for your visit and kind comments. Much appreciated. Diane

    ReplyDelete
  63. Very idyllic place!!!
    Many thanks Diane for so interesting tour, with your great pictures!!!
    Amities

    ReplyDelete
  64. Magda. Glad that you enjoyed the tour and the pictures. Take care Diane

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for taking the time to visit and pass a comment. Every comment is appreciated and I try to reply to each and every one. All comments are verification free but will come to me for approval first :-)) No Anonymous Users!

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.