Yesterday I went to my nearby village of Besse to order a couple of well-matured Oak planks that will eventually become part of the barn's new kitchen work surfaces.
On entering the village one passes this stunningly beautiful medieval church. I just had to pull-up by the side of the road to take a picture.
The church looks to have been untouched since it was built in the 11th C, and the stone roofing is all in perfect condition. It has of course been slightly altered throughout the centuries; but without losing any of it's essential character.
Aficionados can learn more by looking at 'Besse, Dordogne' on Wiki.
The sawmill was a little further down the hill, and in its way, just as enthralling.
p.s. Amazingly, there are churches like this in almost every nearby village. Maybe not quite so spectacular, but often equally fascinating.
29 comments:
How lucky you are to live in such beatiful place.
What a beautiful building. No wonder you stopped. You say it's in perfect condition, so I presume the building is being looked after and maintained. Is it still being used as a church?
Yes, it's just the village church, but very well cared for (not always the case).
What a weird and wonderful concoction - so different in design from English churches - intriguing.
Do you have a trailer? Why is it "Besse 24" and not just Besse?
24 is the number of our department (county). France is very organised in that way. My post code begins with 24, it's on my car number plate, and just about everywhere else.
Trailer?
It is breathtakingly beautiful. I must do some research.
I don't know what you're on about; I don't own a trailer.
When you approach the village from my side, you descend a hill and suddenly there it is; an amazing sight.
Lucky indeed; and no Hamas or IS on my doorstep!
I think it was originally part of a fortified monastery, so partly defensive.
How did you get the planks home? Tied to the roof of the car?
Until you said it, I did not realise the building is a church. On closer inspection - the entrance is the giveaway.
Yes, I have a couple of planks strapped across the top.... see tomorrow's offering. Sorry; I didn't realise what you meant; I picked them up yesterday afternoon. Dodgy.
Yes, they weren't going to be short lengths were they! There's no flies on me.
That's wonderful. Reminds me of Bradford on Avon's Saxon church. They tried to make miniature cathedrals.
Simple, yet beautiful!
Lovely.
Pretty. It looks like it is from a fairytale, very delicate and whimsical. Would be fun to go inside and explore the place.
The carvings/sculpture around the main porch are beautiful.
What a glorious building! Churches like this are more than enough reason to inspire someone to visit Europe. (Maybe someday...)
I think it proves how powerful the medieval church was. Today the village has 155 habitants.
Yes, I should have gone around to photograph it... I was in a rush.
Stunning Cro …… that's what I love about France …. and Italy etc. { although, I never forget that we also have some beautiful churches }.
Will you be fitting the worktops ? XXXX
When you get time perhaps you could take a few pics of the inside. What an intriguing building.
I wish walls could talk... Beautiful and lonely at the same time.
Happy weekend!
Hughugs
No, my skills are not adequate. I have a pukka chippy who'll do it. He also has all the right kit.
They recently uncovered some early paintings inside. I'll try to go back quite soon.
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