La Charité-sur-Loire - Notre-Dame

Notre Dame was a Cluniac priory, with a huge church, which was erected between 1059-1107. It was consecrated, when Pope Paschal II visited the priory. The church is important, as it was built parallel to Cluny III - and so has many similarities.

It once was 122 meters long and had a nave and four aisles. There were five portals (like in younger Bourges) and two western towers. One of these towers collapsed already in 1204. Mid of the 16th century the nave got severely damaged by fire

The priory existed upto the French Revolution. Some parts of the ruined church got converted to residential houses, the structure since then serves as a parish church. In 1840 there were plans, to demolish the building, but Prosper Mérimée stepped in - and so saved it.

I had been here first time in April 2006, when I followed the Via Lemovicensis.

The tympanum of the northermost, meanwhile bricked up portal has survived the demolishion. Under three swallow's nests, is Christ in a mandorla. Carved in a very dynamic style, that reminds me to Moissac and Soillac. Christ is flanked by saints and angles. Below from left to right: The Annunciation, The Visitation, The Nativity and The Annunciation to the shepherds.