Martin M. Miles' photos

Brive´s parish church is a former collegiate church. The large church was erected in the 12th/13th century, where already Gregory of Tours mentions a church. This was built over the tomb of missionary "Saint Martin l'Espagnol" ("Saint Martin the Spaniard") at the end of the fifth century . For the first two centries the collegiate, founded end of the 11th century, prospered, supported by the Bishops of Limoge, but entered financial difficulties later. The cloister of the collegiate was destroyed in 1764, after the Augustin canons living here, joined the Priory of Port-Dieu. After the Revolution the the conventual buildings were bought by City and demolished in 1835. The nave, flanked by massive pillars.

Brive´s parish church is a former collegiate church. The large church was erected in the 12th/13th century, where already Gregory of Tours mentions a church. This was built over the tomb of missionary "Saint Martin l'Espagnol" ("Saint Martin the Spaniard") at the end of the fifth century . For the first two centries the collegiate, founded end of the 11th century, prospered, supported by the Bishops of Limoge, but entered financial difficulties later. The cloister of the collegiate was destroyed in 1764, after the Augustin canons living here, joined the Priory of Port-Dieu. After the Revolution the the conventual buildings were bought by City and demolished in 1835. There are many graffiti on the outside walls of the church. Here Denis Bone (?) left his name. Was he a butcher?

Brive´s parish church is a former collegiate church. The large church was erected in the 12th/13th century, where already Gregory of Tours mentions a church. This was built over the tomb of missionary "Saint Martin l'Espagnol" ("Saint Martin the Spaniard") at the end of the fifth century . For the first two centries the collegiate, founded end of the 11th century, prospered, supported by the Bishops of Limoge, but entered financial difficulties later. The cloister of the collegiate was destroyed in 1764, after the Augustin canons living here, joined the Priory of Port-Dieu. After the Revolution the the conventual buildings were bought by City and demolished in 1835. The church got altered, rebuilt and renovated many times over the time, but the corbels and capitals around the apse are Romanesque. Here is Samson tearing a lion apart with his bare hands.

Brive´s parish church is a former collegiate church. The large church was erected in the 12th/13th century, where already Gregory of Tours mentions a church. This was built over the tomb of missionary "Saint Martin l'Espagnol" ("Saint Martin the Spaniard") at the end of the fifth century . For the first two centries the collegiate, founded end of the 11th century, prospered, supported by the Bishops of Limoge, but entered financial difficulties later. The cloister of the collegiate was destroyed in 1764, after the Augustin canons living here, joined the Priory of Port-Dieu. After the Revolution the the conventual buildings were bought by City and demolished in 1835. The church got altered, rebuilt and renovated many times over the time, but the corbels and capitals around the apse are Romanesque. Here is a very weathered Luxuria.

Brive´s parish church is a former collegiate church. The large church was erected in the 12th/13th century, where already Gregory of Tours mentions a church. This was built over the tomb of missionary "Saint Martin l'Espagnol" ("Saint Martin the Spaniard") at the end of the fifth century . For the first two centries the collegiate, founded end of the 11th century, prospered, supported by the Bishops of Limoge, but entered financial difficulties later. The cloister of the collegiate was destroyed in 1764, after the Augustin canons living here, joined the Priory of Port-Dieu. After the Revolution the the conventual buildings were bought by City and demolished in 1835. The church got altered, rebuilt and renovated many times over the time, but the corbels and capitals around the apse are Romanesque.

Brive´s parish church is a former collegiate church. The large church was erected in the 12th/13th century, where already Gregory of Tours mentions a church. This was built over the tomb of missionary "Saint Martin l'Espagnol" ("Saint Martin the Spaniard") at the end of the fifth century . For the first two centries the collegiate, founded end of the 11th century, prospered, supported by the Bishops of Limoge, but entered financial difficulties later. The cloister of the collegiate was destroyed in 1764, after the Augustin canons living here, joined the Priory of Port-Dieu. After the Revolution the the conventual buildings were bought by City and demolished in 1835. The church got altered, rebuilt and renovated many times over the time, but the corbels and capitals around the apse are Romanesque, from from the first building period.

Brive´s parish church is a former collegiate church. The large church was erected in the 12th/13th century, where already Gregory of Tours mentions a church. This was built over the tomb of missionary "Saint Martin l'Espagnol" (aka "Saint Martin den Brive") at the end of the fifth century . For the first two centries the collegiate, founded end if the 11th century, prospered, supported by the Bishops of Limoge, but entered financial difficulties later. The cloister of the collegiate was destroyed in 1764, after the Augustin canons living here, joined the Priory of Port-Dieu. After the Revolution the the conventual buildings were bought by City and demolished in 1835.

The "Cafe de Bordeaux" is a small, forgotten architectural jewel in Brive-la-Gaillarde.

The city of Thiviers has been conquered, ruined and looted a couple of times. At the end of the 12th century it was English, taken by Richard Lionheart, later it was French again. Lionheart´s brother John Lackland conquered Thiviers in 1211, but only a year later, it was reconquered by French troops. 1374 - 1376 it was English again, before finally Charles VI. (aka "le Bien-Aimé", "le Fou") took over. In 1575, during the Wars of Religion, Thiviers was conquered by Calvinists, who ruined the church and massacred the Catholic population. So Notre-Dame de l'Assomption is the result of many rebuilding and reconstruction periods. The last one was completed within the 19th century. Only the transept and some capitals date back to the 12th century. Here is one of the capitals. The two executioners, holding the doomed offender, on their way to work. Poor guy!

The city of Thiviers has been conquered, ruined and looted a couple of times. At the end of the 12th century it was English, taken by Richard Lionheart, later it was French again. Lionheart´s brother John Lackland conquered Thiviers in 1211, but only a year later, it was reconquered by French troops. 1374 - 1376 it was English again, before finally Charles VI. (aka "le Bien-Aimé", "le Fou") took over. In 1575, during the Wars of Religion, Thiviers was conquered by Calvinists, who ruined the church and massacred the Catholic population. So Notre-Dame de l'Assomption is the result of many rebuilding and reconstruction periods. The last one was completed within the 19th century. Only the transept and some capitals date back to the 12th century. Here is one of the capitals. Are the lions (and the puppet-like riders) beiong devoured by the large heads on the corners? Or do the lions share these heads? Or... what about the body below the lions in the center. What do the puppets hold in their hands. Why is the left rider so much larger, but sits wrong around on the lion? Or...

The city of Thiviers has been conquered, ruined and looted a couple of times. At the end of the 12th century it was English, taken by Richard Lionheart, later it was French again. Lionheart´s brother John Lackland conquered Thiviers in 1211, but only a year later, it was reconquered by French troops. 1374 - 1376 it was English again, before finally Charles VI. (aka "le Bien-Aimé", "le Fou") took over. In 1575, during the Wars of Religion, Thiviers was conquered by Calvinists, who ruined the church and massacred the Catholic population. So Notre-Dame de l'Assomption is the result of many rebuilding and reconstruction periods. The last one was completed within the 19th century. Only the transept and some capitals date back to the 12th century. Here is one of the capitals. Huge, dangerous, wild creatures devour poor souls.

The city of Thiviers has been conquered, ruined and looted a couple of times. At the end of the 12th century it was English, taken by Richard Lionheart, later it was French again. Lionheart´s brother John Lackland conquered Thiviers in 1211, but only a year later, it was reconquered by French troops. 1374 - 1376 it was English again, before finally Charles VI. (aka "le Bien-Aimé", "le Fou") took over. In 1575, during the Wars of Religion, Thiviers was conquered by Calvinists, who ruined the church and massacred the Catholic population. So Notre-Dame de l'Assomption is the result of many rebuilding and reconstruction periods. The last one was completed within the 19th century. Only the transept (and some capitals) date back to the 12th century.

Today Saint-Jean-de-Côle, a member of "Les Plus Beaux Villages de France" ("most beautiful villages of France"), has a population of only about 300. A priory was founded here (on Norman foundations) and the construction of the church started in 1086. The church, completed in the 12th century, has a very unusual plan (sometimes called "Byzantine"). There is a semicircular apse and a rectangular nave, that once was crowned by a dome. This dome was destroyed during the Hundred Years War and got rebuilt and collapsed twice later. It does not exist any longer. All around the chapels are more than 80 sculpted corbels. There is a male exhibtionist (prev. upl.) - and nearby a female one, a "Sheela-na-Gig".

Today Saint-Jean-de-Côle, a member of "Les Plus Beaux Villages de France" ("most beautiful villages of France"), has a population of only about 300. A priory was founded here (on Norman foundations) and the construction of the church started in 1086. The church, completed in the 12th century, has a very unusual plan (sometimes called "Byzantine"). There is a semicircular apse and a rectangular nave, that once was crowned by a dome. This dome was destroyed during the Hundred Years War and got rebuilt and collapsed twice later. It does not exist any longer. All around the chapels are more than 80 sculpted corbels. A very flexible exhibitionist!

Today Saint-Jean-de-Côle, a member of "Les Plus Beaux Villages de France" ("most beautiful villages of France"), has a population of only about 300. A priory was founded here (on Norman foundations) and the construction of the church started in 1086. The church, completed in the 12th century, has a very unusual plan (sometimes called "Byzantine"). There is a semicircular apse and a rectangular nave, that once was crowned by a dome. This dome was destroyed during the Hundred Years War and got rebuilt and collapsed twice later. It does not exist any longer. All around the chapels are more than 80 sculpted corbels. Here are two wrestlers.

Today Saint-Jean-de-Côle, a member of "Les Plus Beaux Villages de France" ("most beautiful villages of France"), has a population of only about 300. A priory was founded here (on Norman foundations) and the construction of the church started in 1086. The church, completed in the 12th century, has a very unusual plan (sometimes called "Byzantine"). There is a semicircular apse and a rectangular nave, that once was crowned by a dome. This dome was destroyed during the Hundred Years War and got rebuilt and collapsed twice later. It does not exist any longer. All around the chapels are more than 80 sculpted corbels.

Today Saint-Jean-de-Côle, a member of "Les Plus Beaux Villages de France" ("most beautiful villages of France"), has a population of only about 300. A priory was founded here (on Norman foundations) and the construction of the church started in 1086. The church, completed in the 12th century, has a very unusual plan (sometimes called "Byzantine"). There is a semicircular apse and a rectangular nave, that once was crowned by a dome. This dome was destroyed during the Hundred Years War and got rebuilt and collapsed twice later. It does not exist any longer. Three chapels once adjoined the (now cracked) apse, two of them are still "in situ". All around are more than 80 sculpted corbels.

Today Saint-Jean-de-Côle, a member of "Les Plus Beaux Villages de France" ("most beautiful villages of France"), has a population of only about 300. A priory was founded here (on Norman foundations) and the construction of the church started in 1086. The church, completed in the 12th century, has a very unusual plan (sometimes called "Byzantine"). There is a semicircular apse and a rectangular nave, that once was crowned by a dome, larger than thatone of St. Font in Perigueux. This dome was destroyed during the Hundred Years War and got rebuilt and collapsed again in 1787. Obviously the material was too heavy, as it collapsed again in 1860. It was never rebuilt, the "hole" is inside no closed by a wooden panel.