Corrèze (19), Creuse (23), Haute-Vienne (87) = Limousin

Saint-Hilaire, a nice 12th century village church, erected on a Latin Cross plan, has a massive crossing tower.

Sainte Marguerite was erected mid 15th century on top of a motte, that before was the place of a wooden castle owned by the Family of Lastours. The Lastours had given up the motte and moved into a modern castle, built from stone.

Legends tell, that Saint Junien has lived here as a hermit for 40 years. After Junien´s death (540) Bishop Roric from nearby Limoges had an oratorium built over the tomb. The oratorium soon was a place of pilgrimage and got enlarged over the next decades Gregory of Tours was impressed, when he visited the place in 593. This church got lost within the 9th century. Two centuries later a collegiate church got erected. It got consecrated by Raynaud, Bishop of Périgueux in 1100. The church got altered and enlarged a couple of times, but the collegiate lost the importance it had during the time of pilgrimage. It existed though upto the French Revolution, when it got looted. After that the church was used as "Temple of Reason", a prison and (like many churches) as a storage room for explosive saltpetre. The structure must have been in bad condition, as the crossing tower collapsed in 1816. It it got rebuilt from wood on a smaller scale. The collegiate church got restaurated in the second half of the 19th century, but in 1922 the wooden tower collapsed and caused lots of damage. Meanwhile the crossing tower is rebuilt but now the western facade needs some care - and is hidden behind a scaffolding.

Legends tell, that Saint Junien has lived here as a hermit for 40 years. After Junien´s death (540) Bishop Roric from nearby Limoges had an oratorium built over the tomb. The oratorium soon was a place of pilgrimage and got enlarged over the next decades Gregory of Tours was impressed, when he visited the place in 593. This church got lost within the 9th century. Two centuries later a collegiate church got erected. It got consecrated by Raynaud, Bishop of Périgueux in 1100. The church got altered and enlarged a couple of times, but the collegiate lost the importance it had during the time of pilgrimage. It existed though upto the French Revolution, when it got looted. After that the church was used as "Temple of Reason", a prison and (like many churches) as a storage room for explosive saltpetre. The structure must have been in bad condition, as the crossing tower collapsed in 1816. It it got rebuilt from wood on a smaller scale. The collegiate church got restaurated in the second half of the 19th century, but in 1922 the wooden tower collapsed and caused lots of damage. Meanwhile the crossing tower and the damaged choir are rebuilt.

Legends tell, that Saint Junien has lived here as a hermit for 40 years. After Junien´s death (540) Bishop Roric from nearby Limoges had an oratorium built over the tomb. The oratorium soon was a place of pilgrimage and got enlarged over the next decades Gregory of Tours was impressed, when he visited the place in 593. This church got lost within the 9th century. Two centuries later a collegiate church got erected. It got consecrated by Raynaud, Bishop of Périgueux in 1100. The church got altered and enlarged a couple of times, but the collegiate lost the importance it had during the time of pilgrimage. It existed though upto the French Revolution, when it got looted. After that the church was used as "Temple of Reason", a prison and (like many churches) as a storage room for explosive saltpetre. The structure must have been in bad condition, as the crossing tower collapsed in 1816. It it got rebuilt from wood on a smaller scale. The collegiate church got restaurated in the second half of the 19th century, but in 1922 the wooden tower collapsed and caused lots of damage. Many capitals seen from nave and choir depict atlants in different poses. Here is on of them.

Legends tell, that Saint Junien has lived here as a hermit for 40 years. After Junien´s death (540) Bishop Roric from nearby Limoges had an oratorium built over the tomb. The oratorium soon was a place of pilgrimage and got enlarged over the next decades Gregory of Tours was impressed, when he visited the place in 593. This church got lost within the 9th century. Two centuries later a collegiate church got erected. It got consecrated by Raynaud, Bishop of Périgueux in 1100. The church got altered and enlarged a couple of times, but the collegiate lost the importance it had during the time of pilgrimage. It existed though upto the French Revolution, when it got looted. After that the church was used as "Temple of Reason", a prison and (like many churches) as a storage room for explosive saltpetre. The structure must have been in bad condition, as the crossing tower collapsed in 1816. It it got rebuilt from wood on a smaller scale. The collegiate church got restaurated in the second half of the 19th century, but in 1922 the wooden tower collapsed and caused lots of damage. Many capitals seen from nave and choir depict atlanta in different poses, some mythical beasts and creatures like these griffins. There is still some colour.

Legends tell, that Saint Junien has lived here as a hermit for 40 years. After Junien´s death (540) Bishop Roric from nearby Limoges had an oratorium built over the tomb. The oratorium soon was a place of pilgrimage and got enlarged over the next decades Gregory of Tours was impressed, when he visited the place in 593. This church got lost within the 9th century. Two centuries later a collegiate church got erected. It got consecrated by Raynaud, Bishop of Périgueux in 1100. The church got altered and enlarged a couple of times, but the collegiate lost the importance it had during the time of pilgrimage. It existed though upto the French Revolution, when it got looted. After that the church was used as "Temple of Reason", a prison and (like many churches) as a storage room for explosive saltpetre. The structure must have been in bad condition, as the crossing tower collapsed in 1816. It it got rebuilt from wood on a smaller scale. The collegiate church got restaurated in the second half of the 19th century, but in 1922 the wooden tower collapsed and caused lots of damage. The relics of three venerable saints were kept here during the times of pilgrimage. Saint Julien, who had come to this place to become a disciple of an even older hermit known as Saint Amandus. Later relics of Saint Martial, who had been the first bishop of Limoges, were added. Saint Martial´s relics may have been kept in this reliquary, seen on a rotating display behind the dusty security-glass of the treasury. Limoges was famous for this kind of work.

Legends tell, that Saint Junien has lived here as a hermit for 40 years. After Junien´s death (540) Bishop Roric from nearby Limoges had an oratorium built over the tomb. The oratorium soon was a place of pilgrimage and got enlarged over the next decades Gregory of Tours was impressed, when he visited the place in 593. This church got lost within the 9th century. Two centuries later a collegiate church got erected. It got consecrated by Raynaud, Bishop of Périgueux in 1100. The church got altered and enlarged a couple of times, but the collegiate lost the importance it had during the time of pilgrimage. It existed though upto the French Revolution, when it got looted. After that the church was used as "Temple of Reason", a prison and (like many churches) as a storage room for explosive saltpetre. The structure must have been in bad condition, as the crossing tower collapsed in 1816. It it got rebuilt from wood on a smaller scale. The collegiate church got restaurated in the second half of the 19th century, but in 1922 the wooden tower collapsed and caused lots of damage. The relics of Saint Julien were kept in a sacrophag from the 6th century on. This got entombed in the 12th century in this large, precious shrine. The shrine was placed behind an altar. The left part of the shrine was integrated in that altar and so is artless.

Legends tell, that Saint Junien has lived here as a hermit for 40 years. After Junien´s death (540) Bishop Roric from nearby Limoges had an oratorium built over the tomb. The oratorium soon was a place of pilgrimage and got enlarged over the next decades Gregory of Tours was impressed, when he visited the place in 593. This church got lost within the 9th century. Two centuries later a collegiate church got erected. It got consecrated by Raynaud, Bishop of Périgueux in 1100. The church got altered and enlarged a couple of times, but the collegiate lost the importance it had during the time of pilgrimage. It existed though upto the French Revolution, when it got looted. After that the church was used as "Temple of Reason", a prison and (like many churches) as a storage room for explosive saltpetre. The structure must have been in bad condition, as the crossing tower collapsed in 1816. It it got rebuilt from wood on a smaller scale. The collegiate church got restaurated in the second half of the 19th century, but in 1922 the wooden tower collapsed and caused lots of damage. The relics of Saint Julien were kept in a sacrophag from the 6th century on. This got entombed in the 12th century in this large, precious shrine. This is the southern side of the shrine. Below the wooden door in an "Agnus Dei" in a round mandorla. The crowned men are 12 (of the 24) Elders of the Apocalypse, holding vielles and "golden vials full of odours". I will upload more details. Revelation 4:4 "Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads."

Legends tell, that Saint Junien has lived here as a hermit for 40 years. After Junien´s death (540) Bishop Roric from nearby Limoges had an oratorium built over the tomb. The oratorium soon was a place of pilgrimage and got enlarged over the next decades Gregory of Tours was impressed, when he visited the place in 593. This church got lost within the 9th century. Two centuries later a collegiate church got erected. It got consecrated by Raynaud, Bishop of Périgueux in 1100. The church got altered and enlarged a couple of times, but the collegiate lost the importance it had during the time of pilgrimage. It existed though upto the French Revolution, when it got looted. After that the church was used as "Temple of Reason", a prison and (like many churches) as a storage room for explosive saltpetre. The structure must have been in bad condition, as the crossing tower collapsed in 1816. It it got rebuilt from wood on a smaller scale. The collegiate church got restaurated in the second half of the 19th century, but in 1922 the wooden tower collapsed and caused lots of damage. The relics of Saint Julien were kept in a sacrophag from the 6th century on. This got entombed in the 12th century in a large, precious shrine. The southern side has 12 (of the 24) Elders of the Apocalypse, a Agnus Dei and the wooden door. Here are three of the Elders, holding vielles and "golden vials full of odours". To the right is a hinge of the wooden door. Note the "miniature architecture", even the capitals are nicely designed, one with a "pillar eater". Revelation 4:4 "Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads."

Legends tell, that Saint Junien has lived here as a hermit for 40 years. After Junien´s death (540) Bishop Roric from nearby Limoges had an oratorium built over the tomb. The oratorium soon was a place of pilgrimage and got enlarged over the next decades Gregory of Tours was impressed, when he visited the place in 593. This church got lost within the 9th century. Two centuries later a collegiate church got erected. It got consecrated by Raynaud, Bishop of Périgueux in 1100. The church got altered and enlarged a couple of times, but the collegiate lost the importance it had during the time of pilgrimage. It existed though upto the French Revolution, when it got looted. After that the church was used as "Temple of Reason", a prison and (like many churches) as a storage room for explosive saltpetre. The structure must have been in bad condition, as the crossing tower collapsed in 1816. It it got rebuilt from wood on a smaller scale. The collegiate church got restaurated in the second half of the 19th century, but in 1922 the wooden tower collapsed and caused lots of damage. The relics of Saint Julien were kept in a sacrophag from the 6th century on. This got entombed in the 12th century in a large, precious shrine. To the left is the eastern/front side with Christ as a Pantocrator in a mandorla to the right the northern side. The 12 Elders of the Apocalypse here add to the 12 of the of the opposite side to 24. In the center a mandorla around Virgin and Child.

Legends tell, that Saint Junien has lived here as a hermit for 40 years. After Junien´s death (540) Bishop Roric from nearby Limoges had an oratorium built over the tomb. The oratorium soon was a place of pilgrimage and got enlarged over the next decades Gregory of Tours was impressed, when he visited the place in 593. This church got lost within the 9th century. Two centuries later a collegiate church got erected. It got consecrated by Raynaud, Bishop of Périgueux in 1100. The church got altered and enlarged a couple of times, but the collegiate lost the importance it had during the time of pilgrimage. It existed though upto the French Revolution, when it got looted. After that the church was used as "Temple of Reason", a prison and (like many churches) as a storage room for explosive saltpetre. The structure must have been in bad condition, as the crossing tower collapsed in 1816. It it got rebuilt from wood on a smaller scale. The collegiate church got restaurated in the second half of the 19th century, but in 1922 the wooden tower collapsed and caused lots of damage. The relics of Saint Julien were kept in a sacrophag from the 6th century on. This got entombed in the 12th century in a large, precious shrine. The center of the northern side. The 12 Elders of the Apocalypse here add to the 12 of the of the opposite side to 24. In the center a mandorla around Virgin and Child. The child is standing on his mother´s knee, both hold small scepters. The mandorla has two inscriptions. Left side MVNDI ⋮ FATOREM • GENITRIX • GERIT • (et) • GENIT/OREM • MATERNOS • Q(ue) • SINVS • SARCINAT • [HI]C • DOMINVS ⋮ Right side AD • COLLVM • MAT(r)IS • PENDET • SAPIENTIA • PATRIS ⋮ ME • XPI • MATREM • PRODO • GERENDO • PAT(r)EM

Legends tell, that Saint Junien has lived here as a hermit for 40 years. After Junien´s death (540) Bishop Roric from nearby Limoges had an oratorium built over the tomb. The oratorium soon was a place of pilgrimage and got enlarged over the next decades Gregory of Tours was impressed, when he visited the place in 593. This church got lost within the 9th century. Two centuries later a collegiate church got erected. It got consecrated by Raynaud, Bishop of Périgueux in 1100. The church got altered and enlarged a couple of times, but the collegiate lost the importance it had during the time of pilgrimage. It existed though upto the French Revolution, when it got looted. After that the church was used as "Temple of Reason", a prison and (like many churches) as a storage room for explosive saltpetre. The structure must have been in bad condition, as the crossing tower collapsed in 1816. It it got rebuilt from wood on a smaller scale. The collegiate church got restaurated in the second half of the 19th century, but in 1922 the wooden tower collapsed and caused lots of damage. The relics of Saint Julien were kept in a sacrophag from the 6th century on. This got entombed in the 12th century in a large, precious shrine. The head of one of the 24 Elders of the Apocalypse. The light inside the choir was a bit dim already and I had used a new LED-light (see the previous uploads) here, as I hate flashlights in churches. But here the LED gives a rather blueish light - not very pretty. It was an experiment. I am open for any suggestions..

Saint-Martin, the church in the center of the small village Saint-Martin-de-Jussac (pop ~ 500), seems to consist out of three different parts, of which the nave is probably Romanesque. The front, with the wooden bell-tower, is somehow unbalanced or incomplete. The church was locked.

The collegiate church Saint-Pierre (aka "St-Pierre-aux-Liens") dates back to the 12th century, though many alterations and the fortification seen here, were done later. A church and convent that existed here, got looted and burnt down by the Normans in 866. It was named "Scotorum", so it may be have been founded by Scottish/Irish monks. Around 980 a collegiate was founded here, dedicated to Saint Peter. Under the first monks were Israël and his disciple Theobald, who later became the patron saints of Le Dorat. The church of the collegiate was set on fire by local villagers during a regional war in 1013 and burnt down. The newly built church got consecrated in 1063 - and burnt down in 1080. Soon after this a crypt was built, but the erection of the church above the crypt did not start before 1112. When in 1130, the choir and the radial chapels were completed, the relics of Saint Israël and Saint Theobald were "translated" into the church, what attracted obviously lots of pilgrims following the Via Lemovicensis to a little detour. In the following centuries Le Dorat was threatened by and involved into many wars and feuds and so town and church got heavily fortified. That did not help, when in 1567 a Huguenot-armee of 15.000 troops conquered the place, killed about 400 inhabitants and looted town and convent. All buildings of the collegiate got lost after the French Revolution, only the really large church (74,70 m long) survived the times and now serves as a parish church.

The collegiate church Saint-Pierre (aka "St-Pierre-aux-Liens") dates back to the 12th century, though many alterations and the fortification seen here, were done later. A church and convent that existed here, got looted and burnt down by the Normans in 866. It was named "Scotorum", so it may be have been founded by Scottish/Irish monks. Around 980 a collegiate was founded here, dedicated to Saint Peter. Under the first monks were Israël and his disciple Theobald, who later became the patron saints of Le Dorat. The church of the collegiate was set on fire by local villagers during a regional war in 1013 and burnt down. The newly built church got consecrated in 1063 - and burnt down in 1080. Soon after this a crypt was built, but the erection of the church above the crypt did not start before 1112. When in 1130, the choir and the radial chapels were completed, the relics of Saint Israël and Saint Theobald were "translated" into the church, what attracted obviously lots of pilgrims following the Via Lemovicensis to a little detour. In the following centuries Le Dorat was threatened by and involved into many wars and feuds and so town and church got heavily fortified. That did not help, when in 1567 a Huguenot-armee of 15.000 troops conquered the place, killed about 400 inhabitants and looted town and convent. All buildings of the collegiate got lost after the French Revolution, only the really large church (74,70 m long) survived the times and now serves as a parish church. The main portal has very interesting archivolts.

The collegiate church Saint-Pierre (aka "St-Pierre-aux-Liens") dates back to the 12th century, though many alterations and the fortification seen here, were done later. A church and convent that existed here, got looted and burnt down by the Normans in 866. It was named "Scotorum", so it may be have been founded by Scottish/Irish monks. Around 980 a collegiate was founded here, dedicated to Saint Peter. Under the first monks were Israël and his disciple Theobald, who later became the patron saints of Le Dorat. The church of the collegiate was set on fire by local villagers during a regional war in 1013 and burnt down. The newly built church got consecrated in 1063 - and burnt down in 1080. Soon after this a crypt was built, but the erection of the church above the crypt did not start before 1112. When in 1130, the choir and the radial chapels were completed, the relics of Saint Israël and Saint Theobald were "translated" into the church, what attracted obviously lots of pilgrims following the Via Lemovicensis to a little detour. In the following centuries Le Dorat was threatened by and involved into many wars and feuds and so town and church got heavily fortified. That did not help, when in 1567 a Huguenot-armee of 15.000 troops conquered the place, killed about 400 inhabitants and looted town and convent. All buildings of the collegiate got lost after the French Revolution, only the really large church (74,70 m long) survived the times and now serves as a parish church. The design of the portal with its two even doors can be seen frequently in the Limousin (eg Saint-Junien, Saint-Chamant), but the multitude of wavy archivolts is pretty unique.

The collegiate church Saint-Pierre (aka "St-Pierre-aux-Liens") dates back to the 12th century, though many alterations and the fortification seen here, were done later. A church and convent that existed here, got looted and burnt down by the Normans in 866. It was named "Scotorum", so it may be have been founded by Scottish/Irish monks. Around 980 a collegiate was founded here, dedicated to Saint Peter. Under the first monks were Israël and his disciple Theobald, who later became the patron saints of Le Dorat. The church of the collegiate was set on fire by local villagers during a regional war in 1013 and burnt down. The newly built church got consecrated in 1063 - and burnt down in 1080. Soon after this a crypt was built, but the erection of the church above the crypt did not start before 1112. When in 1130, the choir and the radial chapels were completed, the relics of Saint Israël and Saint Theobald were "translated" into the church, what attracted obviously lots of pilgrims following the Via Lemovicensis to a little detour. In the following centuries Le Dorat was threatened by and involved into many wars and feuds and so town and church got heavily fortified. That did not help, when in 1567 a Huguenot-armee of 15.000 troops conquered the place, killed about 400 inhabitants and looted town and convent. All buildings of the collegiate got lost after the French Revolution, only the really large church (74,70 m long) survived the times and now serves as a parish church. A flight of stairs runs down from the portal to the nave. This shot was taken from the top of that stairs.