Martin M. Miles' photos

In 1827 the villages La Rochebeaucourt and Argentine merged to La Rochebeaucourt-et-Argentine. Mid 19th century La Rochebeaucourt-et-Argentine was a prosperious village with a population of about 1200. Meanwhile the number of people living here has sunken to about 300. The exodus has left marks. Empty shops line the streets. Gone forever.

In 1827 the villages La Rochebeaucourt and Argentine merged to La Rochebeaucourt-et-Argentine. The former collegiate church serves the parish now (and was unfortunately locked). The first church was built in 1121 and given to the monks of Cluny, who soon moved to Argentine and transfered this church to collegiate canons and so became a collegiate church. Looted and partly destroyed in the 14th and 15th century it got rebuilt again later. Th Cluniac monks had moved the convent to Argentine, where they erected Saint-Martin, as one of the many chemins to Santiago de Compostella run through there. Supporting the pilgrims was a lucrative business, so soon monks and canons quarrelled about the profits. In 1154 Pope Anastasius IV spent some days here, to settle the dispute, but the irascible canons kicked him out.

In 1827 the villages La Rochebeaucourt et Argentine merged to La Rochebeaucourt-et-Argentine. La Maison Du Pont, on the banks of the Rizonne, is a cosy and very agreeable Chambres d'hôtes here.

In 1827 the villlages La Rochebeaucourt and Argentine merged to La Rochebeaucourt-et-Argentine. Louis Hector de Galard de Béarn had a Neo-Renaissance château erected on the foundation of an older castle. This Château de la Rochebeaucourt burnt down during the German occupation 1941. Only some ruins are still visible.

Château de Montfort, located on a promontory, overlooks the "Cingle de Montfort" (= Montfort Meander) on the Dordogne River.

The church, dedicated to Saint-Caprais (aka "Caprais d'Agen"), Bishop of Agen, martyred in the 4th century, is located at the confluence of the rivers Nea and Dordogne. The original design (nave and transepts) dates to the 12th century. During the 15th century two aisles were added to the (once) single nave church. This capital is from the 12th century. It is very strange and enigmatic. Who is the roped person? Is he getting kicked and beaten? Martyred?

The church, dedicated to Saint-Caprais (aka "Caprais d'Agen"), Bishop of Agen, martyred in the 4th century, is located at the confluence of the rivers Nea and Dordogne. The original design (nave and transepts) dates to the 12th century. During the 15th century two aisles were added to the (once) single nave church. This was as well the time, when the vaulting was done. Renovations started in the late 19th century and continued through the first half of the 20th.

The church, dedicated to Saint-Caprais (aka "Caprais d'Agen"), Bishop of Agen, martyred in the 4th century, is located at the confluence of the rivers Nea and Dordogne. The original design (nave and transepts) dates to the 12th century. During the 15th century two aisles were added to the (once) single nave church. This was as well the time, when the vaulting was done. Renovations started in the late 19th century and continued through the first half of the 20th.

The church, dedicated to Saint-Caprais (aka "Caprais d'Agen"), Bishop of Agen, martyred in the 4th century, is located at the confluence of the rivers Nea and Dordogne. The original design (nave and transepts) dates to the 12th century. During the 15th century two aisles were added to the (once) single nave church. Three chapels were added later. Renovations started in the late 19th century and continued through the first half of the 20th. Nice corbels under the roof of the 12th-century-apse. Here is a contortionist, who of course is very flexible. He may be nude, but I´m not sure.

The church, dedicated to Saint-Caprais (aka "Caprais d'Agen"), Bishop of Agen, martyred in the 4th century, is located at the confluence of the rivers Nea and Dordogne. The original design (nave and transepts) dates to the 12th century. During the 15th century two aisles were added to the (once) single nave church. Three chapels were added later. Renovations started in the late 19th century and continued through the first half of the 20th. Nice corbels under the roof of the 12th-century-apse.

The church, dedicated to Saint-Caprais (aka "Caprais d'Agen"), Bishop of Agen, martyred in the 4th century, is located at the confluence of the rivers Nea and Dordogne. The original design (nave and transepts) dates to the 12th century. During the 15th century two aisles were added to the (once) single nave church. Three chapels were added later. Renovations started in the late 19th century and continued through the first half of the 20th.

The church, dedicated to Saint-Caprais (aka "Caprais d'Agen"), Bishop of Agen, martyred in the 4th century, is located at the confluence of the rivers Nea and Dordogne. The original design (nave and transepts) dates to the 12th century. During the 15th century two aisles were added to the (once) single nave church. Three chapels were added later. Renovations started in the late 19th century and continued through the first half of the 20th.

Souillac is another town, that I cannot pass, without stopping and visiting the former abbey-church. Legends tell, that the abbey was founded by Saint Eligius (Saint Eloi), advisor of Merovingian King Dagobert I. The abbey got destroyed by the Saracens, Charlemagne commissioned the reconstruction, that again ruined got by Norman invaders. Of course it got looted during the Wars of Religions, but existed upto the French Revolution. The abbey-church, today serving the parish, got built on the blueprint of a Latin Cross in the 12th century. The single nave is about 15 ms wide. Above are no vaults, but three domes, similar to Saint-Front in Périgueux and Saint Etienne in Cahors. During the Wars of Religions the complex carvings that once were on the outside of the church got removed and placed inside, to save them from iconoclastic vandals. Well, unfortunately the vandals were already quite successful, before the carvings were moved inside. So some large parts of the former portal are missing. This work may have been part of the tympanum.

Souillac is another town, that I cannot pass, without stopping and visiting the former abbey-church. Legends tell, that the abbey was founded by Saint Eligius (Saint Eloi), advisor of Merovingian King Dagobert I. The abbey got destroyed by the Saracens, Charlemagne commissioned the reconstruction, that again ruined got by Norman invaders. Of course it got looted during the Wars of Religions, but existed upto the French Revolution. The abbey-church, today serving the parish, got built on the blueprint of a Latin Cross in the 12th century. The single nave is about 15 ms wide. Above are no vaults, but three domes, similar to Saint-Front in Périgueux and Saint Etienne in Cahors. During the Wars of Religions the complex carvings that once were on the outside of the church got removed and placed inside, to save them from iconoclastic vandals. The "Dancing Isaiah" is another masterpiece, probably carved about 1130/1140 by the same artist (or studio), who created the "Pilier de Souillac" (previous photo). Isaiah´s dance seems to ber very ecstatic. A very imaginative and evocative work, comparable only to the Jeremiah in Moissac ( ~ 100kms south).

Souillac is another town, that I cannot pass, without stopping and visiting the former abbey-church. Legends tell, that the abbey was founded by Saint Eligius (Saint Eloi), advisor of Merovingian King Dagobert I. The abbey got destroyed by the Saracens, Charlemagne commissioned the reconstruction, that again ruined got by Norman invaders. Of course it got looted during the Wars of Religions, but existed upto the French Revolution. The abbey-church, today serving the parish, got built on the blueprint of a Latin Cross in the 12th century. The single nave is about 15 ms wide. Above are no vaults, but three domes, similar to Saint-Front in Périgueux and Saint Etienne in Cahors. During the Wars of Religions the complex carvings that once were on the outside of the church got removed and placed inside, to save them from iconoclastic vandals. The "Dancing Isaiah" is another masterpiece, probably carved about 1130/1140 by the same artist (or studio), who created the "Pilier de Souillac" (previous photo). Isaiah´s dance seems to ber very ecstatic. A very imaginative and evocative work, comparable only to the Jeremiah in Moissac ( ~ 100kms south).

Souillac is another town, that I cannot pass, without stopping and visiting the former abbey-church. Legends tell, that the abbey was founded by Saint Eligius (Saint Eloi), advisor of Merovingian King Dagobert I. The abbey got destroyed by the Saracens, Charlemagne commissioned the reconstruction, that again ruined got by Norman invaders. Of course it got looted during the Wars of Religions, but existed upto the French Revolution. The abbey-church, today serving the parish, got built on the blueprint of a Latin Cross in the 12th century. The single nave is about 15 ms wide. Above are no vaults, but three domes, similar to Saint-Front in Périgueux and Saint Etienne in Cahors. During the Wars of Religions the complex carvings that once were on the outside of the church got removed and placed inside, to save them from iconoclastic vandals. The "Pilier de Souillac", a masterpiece, probably once used as a trumeau. Similar (but less complex) pillars, populated with humans and beasts, exist in Moissac, Freising (Germany), Lund (Sweden) and Lucca (Italy). To the left is the head of the "Dancing Isaiah".

Souillac is another town, that I cannot pass, without stopping and visiting the former abbey-church. Legends tell, that the abbey was founded by Saint Eligius (Saint Eloi), advisor of Merovingian King Dagobert I. The abbey got destroyed by the Saracens, Charlemagne commissioned the reconstruction, that again ruined got by Norman invaders. Of course it got looted during the Wars of Religions, but existed upto the French Revolution. The abbey-church, today serving the parish, got built on the blueprint of a Latin Cross in the 12th century. The single nave is about 15 ms wide. Above are no vaults, but three domes, similar to Saint-Front in Périgueux and Saint Etienne in Cahors. During the Wars of Religions the complex carvings that once were on the outside of the church got removed and placed inside, to save them from iconoclastic vandals. The "Pilier de Souillac", a masterpiece, probably once used as a trumeau. Similar (but less complex) pillars, populated with humans and beasts, exist in Moissac, Freising (Germany), Lund (Sweden) and Lucca (Italy). Here is a detail.

Souillac is another town, that I cannot pass, without stopping and visiting the former abbey-church. Legends tell, that the abbey was founded by Saint Eligius (Saint Eloi), advisor of Merovingian King Dagobert I. The abbey got destroyed by the Saracens, Charlemagne commissioned the reconstruction, that again ruined got by Norman invaders. Of course it got looted during the Wars of Religions, but existed upto the French Revolution. The abbey-church, today serving the parish, got built on the blueprint of a Latin Cross in the 12th century. The single nave is about 15 ms wide. Above are no vaults, but three domes, similar to Saint-Front in Périgueux and Saint Etienne in Cahors. During the Wars of Religions the complex carvings that once were on the outside of the church got removed and placed inside, to save them from iconoclastic vandals. The "Pilier de Souillac", a masterpiece, probably once used as a trumeau. Similar (but less intricate) pillars, populated with humans and beasts, exist in Moissac, Freising (Germany), Lund (Sweden) and Lucca (Italy). Here is a detail.