Étampes - Notre-Dame-du-Fort

Since the times of Hugh Capet, the first King of the Franks of the House of Capet, Étampes was an important place. It was a crown domain between Paris and Orleans. Hugh´s son Robert II (aka "Robert the Pious") built a stronghold here and founded a collegiate here in the 11th century.

The former collegiate church Notre-Dame-du-Fort was erected within the 12th century in (traditional) Romanesque and (modern) Gothic style. Only the crypt dates back to the earlier 10th century-church. Here the relics of the martyrs Cantius, Cantianus, and Cantianilla were kept. The popular saints were orphaned siblings beheaded during Diocletian's persecution. "Robert the Pious" had transferred the relics to Étampes from Milano.

Meanwhile Notre-Dame-du-Fort serves the parish. In 1562, during the first War of Religions, the Calvinist troops raided and ransacked the church. Here is, what the vandals left of the tympanum over the western portal, erected within the 13th century. All carvings that could be reached during the fury iconoclasm are severely damaged. In case something was spared, it got smashed during the French Revolution.

"The story" can still be seen.

It starts in the left corner of the low tier

(from left to right)

- the Annunciation (Luke 1:26-39)
- the Visitation (Luke 1:39–56)
- the Nativity of Jesus
- the Annunciation to the shepherds (Luke 2:8–14)
- the Massacre of the Innocents (Matthew 2:16-18)
- the Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15)

The upper tier depicts in the center

- the Adoration of the Magi. Mary seated on a wooden throne.
- I am not sure about the left side. The Magi´s three horses?
Is there a wing of an angel?
- to the right are the Dreaming Magi.