Martin M. Miles' photos

In the backdrop are the two towers of the Cathédrale Saint-Mammès. To the very left the statue of Denis Diderot, the most notable person, that ever came from Langres. Diderot was a philosopher, scientist, writer and co-founder, chief editor, and contributor to the Encyclopédie along with Jean d'Alembert. Denis Diderot was a prominent figure during the Enlightenment. It seems like his family by now runs the boulangerie to the right.

Langres is built on a promontory originally occupied by the Gauls and later by the Romans, who fortified the town and named it Andemantunum. Langres was the center of a diocese already in the 4th century. Saint Didier de Langres was the 3rd bishop here. He got martyred, when the Vandals took the town in 407. In medieval times the bishops were very powerful and so around 1140 it was decided to replace the old and small cathedral with a new one. At that time the cathedrals in Sens (200kms east) and Saint Denis (300kms northwest) were already under construction. The erection of the cathedral began with the choir, that was probably influenced by Cluny III. It was completed in 1196. The nave, following the example of the cathedral in Sens, was done in an early Gothic style. The "Christ au Tombeau" originally belonged to a a sculpted group of eight figures. It is ascribed to Dutch Claus de Werve (1380 - 1439), nephew and apprentance of master-sculptor Claus Sluter, the most important northern European sculptor of his time. The frescoe behind depicts the Crucification of Saint Andrew. It is dated to the 14th century. It was found in 1943 after an explosion had destroyed the wooden panels and the plaster that had hidden the frescoe.

Langres is built on a promontory originally occupied by the Gauls and later by the Romans, who fortified the town and named it Andemantunum. Langres was the center of a diocese already in the 4th century. Saint Didier de Langres was the 3rd bishop here. He got martyred, when the Vandals took the town in 407. In medieval times the bishops were very powerful and so around 1140 it was decided to replace the old and small cathedral with a new one. At that time the cathedrals in Sens (200kms east) and Saint Denis (300kms northwest) were already under construction. The erection began in the east with the choir, that was probably influenced by Cluny III. The cathedral was completed and dedicated in 1196. The nave, probably following the example of the cathedral in Sens, was done in an early Gothic style. The total (interior) length of the cathedral is more than 90 meters. The cathedral has a large ambulatory. The entrance is guarded by a statue of Jeanne d'Arc.

Langres is built on a promontory originally occupied by the Gauls and later by the Romans, who fortified the town and named it Andemantunum. Langres was the center of a diocese already in the 4th century. Saint Didier de Langres was the 3rd bishop here. He got martyred, when the Vandals took the town in 407. In medieval times the bishops were very powerful and so around 1140 it was decided to replace the old and small cathedral with a new one. At that time the cathedrals in Sens (200kms east) and Saint Denis (300kms northwest) were already under construction. The erection began in the east with the choir, that was probably influenced by Cluny III. The cathedral was completed and dedicated in 1196. The nave, probably following the example of the cathedral in Sens, was done in an early Gothic style. The total (interior) length of the cathedral is more than 90 meters.

Langres is built on a promontory originally occupied by the Gauls and later by the Romans, who fortified the town and named it Andemantunum. Langres was the center of a diocese already in the 4th century. Saint Didier de Langres was the 3rd bishop here. He got martyred, when the Vandals took the town in 407. In medieval times the bishops were very powerful and so around 1140 it was decided to replace the old and small cathedral with a new one. At that time the cathedral in Sens was already under construction in Gothic style. The erection began with the choir, seen here, probably influenced by Cluny III. The cathedral was completed and dedicated in 1196, only the vaults were added later. After a fire 1562, caused by lightning, the cathedral was not properly rebuilt and when in 1746 the the west side threatened to collapse, itb was decided to demolish it. It then was rebuilt from 1761 to 1786 in the classical style (see the tower).

Located next to the Cathédrale Saint-Bénigne, that in medieval times was the church of the Abbey of St. Benignus, is Saint-Philibert, that served the parish since the early times. A church, dedicated to Saint Philibert, is proven here in the center of an older graveyard already in 1103, but the church of today was erected after the great fire, that destroyed most of Dijon, in 1137. After the Revolution in 1795 the building was converted into a stable, later it was used as a depot by the armee. Returned to the city in the 1920s it got renovated from then on and used for exhibitions. The long awaited renovation failed end of the 1970s, when the pillars started to crumble. The church was closed for visitors, but meanwhile the doors are open again. The arches along the nave are stabilized by massive wooden frames.

Located next to the Cathédrale Saint-Bénigne, that in medieval times was the church of the Abbey of St. Benignus, is Saint-Philibert, that served the parish since the early times. A church, dedicated to Saint Philibert, is proven here in the center of an older graveyard already in 1103, but the church of today was erected after the great fire, that destroyed most of Dijon, in 1137. The western porch was added to the Romanesque structure in the early 16th century. The bell tower was completed in 1510. After the Revolution in 1795 the building was converted into a stable, later it was used as a depot by the armee. Returned to the city in the 1920s it got renovated from then on and used for exhibitions. The long awaited renovation failed end of the 1970s, when the pillars started to crumble. The church was closed for visitors, but meanwhile the doors are open again.

The Cathédrale Saint-Bénigne was the church of the Abbey of St. Benignus. The church, erected in Gothic style 1280-1325, became the seat of the Bishopric of Dijon after the French Revolution. The first church here was a basilica built over the grave of Saint Benignus, who in the third century had come to Gaul from Smyrna as a missionary. He worked successfully in Burgundy - and got martyred. His sarcophagus was placed in a crypt, built by Saint Gregory of Langres in 511, a basilica over that crypt was completed in 535. In 990 Saint Mayeul, Abbot of Cluny, appointed William of Volpiano the new abbot here. William immidiatly started withe the construction of a new Romanesque church, that - instead of an apse - had a rotunda, 17 metres in diameter. In 1137 a fire destroyed most of the town and damaged the monastery and its church. The repaired building was consecrated by Pope Eugene III in 1147. In 1272 the crossing tower collapsed, destroying the whole of the upper church and severely damaging the subterranean one, and smashing some of the supporting columns of the rotunda. In 1280 the construction of a new Gothic abbey church started. This is the church seen today. What was left of the rotunda was destroyed after the Revolution. What remains is the lowest storey, which was excavated in the 19th century and has since been reworked as a crypt. There are some nicely carved capitals, created by at least two different workshops at different times. Here is a capital carved by the "older" studio. The style is very rough. It looks a bit like Alexander the Great going up to heaven in a basket, but there are no engins/griffins.

The Cathédrale Saint-Bénigne was the church of the Abbey of St. Benignus. The church, erected in Gothic style 1280-1325, became the seat of the Bishopric of Dijon after the French Revolution. The first church here was a basilica built over the grave of Saint Benignus, who in the third century had come to Gaul from Smyrna as a missionary. He worked successfully in Burgundy - and got martyred. His sarcophagus was placed in a crypt, built by Saint Gregory of Langres in 511, a basilica over that crypt was completed in 535. In 990 Saint Mayeul, Abbot of Cluny, appointed William of Volpiano the new abbot here. William immidiatly started withe the construction of a new Romanesque church, that - instead of an apse - had a rotunda, 17 metres in diameter. In 1137 a fire destroyed most of the town and damaged the monastery and its church. The repaired building was consecrated by Pope Eugene III in 1147. In 1272 the crossing tower collapsed, destroying the whole of the upper church and severely damaging the subterranean one, and smashing some of the supporting columns of the rotunda. In 1280 the construction of a new Gothic abbey church started. This is the church seen today. What was left of the rotunda was destroyed after the Revolution. What remains is the lowest storey, which was excavated in the 19th century and has since been reworked as a crypt. There are some nicely carved capitals, created by at least two different workshops at different times. Here is a more complex (and damaged) one. Bulging eyes!

The Cathédrale Saint-Bénigne was the church of the Abbey of St. Benignus. The church, erected in Gothic style 1280-1325, became the seat of the Bishopric of Dijon after the French Revolution. The first church here was a basilica built over the grave of Saint Benignus, who in the third century had come to Gaul from Smyrna as a missionary. He worked successfully in Burgundy - and got martyred. His sarcophagus was placed in a crypt, built by Saint Gregory of Langres in 511, a basilica over that crypt was completed in 535. In 990 Saint Mayeul, Abbot of Cluny, appointed William of Volpiano the new abbot here. William immidiatly started withe the construction of a new Romanesque church, that - instead of an apse - had a rotunda, 17 metres in diameter. In 1137 a fire destroyed most of the town and damaged the monastery and its church. The repaired building was consecrated by Pope Eugene III in 1147. In 1272 the crossing tower collapsed, destroying the whole of the upper church and severely damaging the subterranean one, and smashing some of the supporting columns of the rotunda. In 1280 the construction of a new Gothic abbey church started. This is the church seen today. What was left of the rotunda was destroyed after the Revolution. What remains is the lowest storey, which was excavated in the 19th century and has since been reworked as a crypt. There are some nicely carved capitals, created by at least two different workshops at different times. Here is a more complex (and damaged) one. Devouring beasts?

The Cathédrale Saint-Bénigne was the church of the Abbey of St. Benignus. The church, erected in Gothic style 1280-1325, became the seat of the Bishopric of Dijon after the French Revolution. The first church here was a basilica built over the grave of Saint Benignus, who in the third century had come to Gaul from Smyrna as a missionary. He worked successfully in Burgundy - and got martyred. His sarcophagus was placed in a crypt, built by Saint Gregory of Langres in 511, a basilica over that crypt was completed in 535. In 990 Saint Mayeul, Abbot of Cluny, appointed William of Volpiano the new abbot here. William immidiatly started withe the construction of a new Romanesque church, that - instead of an apse - had a rotunda, 17 metres in diameter. In 1137 a fire destroyed most of the town and damaged the monastery and its church. The repaired building was consecrated by Pope Eugene III in 1147. In 1272 the crossing tower collapsed, destroying the whole of the upper church and severely damaging the subterranean one, and smashing some of the supporting columns of the rotunda. In 1280 the construction of a new Gothic abbey church started. This is the church seen today. What was left of the rotunda was destroyed after the Revolution. What remains is the lowest storey, which was excavated in the 19th century and has since been reworked as a crypt. There are some nicely carved capitals. Saint Benignus´ sacrophagus is empty. I learned, that the bones "got lost" during the Revolution.

The Cathédrale Saint-Bénigne was the church of the Abbey of St. Benignus. The church, erected in Gothic style 1280-1325, became the seat of the Bishopric of Dijon after the French Revolution. The first church here was a basilica built over the grave of Saint Benignus, who in the third century had come to Gaul from Smyrna as a missionary. He worked successfully in Burgundy - and got martyred. His sarcophagus was placed in a crypt, built by Saint Gregory of Langres in 511, a basilica over that crypt was completed in 535. In 990 Saint Mayeul, Abbot of Cluny, appointed William of Volpiano the new abbot here. William immidiatly started withe the construction of a new Romanesque church, that - instead of an apse - had a rotunda, 17 metres in diameter. In 1137 a fire destroyed most of the town and damaged the monastery and its church. The repaired building was consecrated by Pope Eugene III in 1147. In 1272 the crossing tower collapsed, destroying the whole of the upper church and severely damaging the subterranean one, and smashing some of the supporting columns of the rotunda. In 1280 the construction of a new Gothic abbey church started. This is the church seen today. What was left of the rotunda was destroyed after the Revolution. What remains is the lowest storey, which was excavated in the 19th century and has since been reworked as a crypt. There are some nicely carved capitals. Saint Benignus´ sacrophagus is empty. I learned, that the bones "got lost" during the Revolution.

The Cathédrale Saint-Bénigne was the church of the Abbey of St. Benignus. The church, erected in Gothic style 1280-1325, became the seat of the Bishopric of Dijon after the French Revolution. The first church here was a basilica built over the grave of Saint Benignus, who in the third century had come to Gaul from Smyrna as a missionary. He worked successfully in Burgundy - and got martyred. His sarcophagus was placed in a crypt, built by Saint Gregory of Langres in 511, a basilica over that crypt was completed in 535. In 990 Saint Mayeul, Abbot of Cluny, appointed William of Volpiano the new abbot here. William immidiatly started withe the construction of a new Romanesque church, that - instead of an apse - had a rotunda, 17 metres in diameter. In 1137 a fire destroyed most of the town and damaged the monastery and its church. The repaired building was consecrated by Pope Eugene III in 1147. In 1272 the crossing tower collapsed, destroying the whole of the upper church and severely damaging the subterranean one, and smashing some of the supporting columns of the rotunda. In 1280 the construction of a new Gothic abbey church started. This is the church seen today. What was left of the rotunda was destroyed after the Revolution. What remains is the lowest storey, which was excavated in the 19th century and has since been reworked as a crypt. There are some nicely carved capitals. Saint Benignus´ sacrophagus is empty. I learned, that the bones "got lost" during the Revolution. The dome over the central rotunda.

The Cathédrale Saint-Bénigne was the church of the Abbey of St. Benignus. The church, erected in Gothic style 1280-1325, became the seat of the Bishopric of Dijon after the French Revolution. The first church here was a basilica built over the grave of Saint Benignus, who in the third century had come to Gaul from Smyrna as a missionary. He worked successfully in Burgundy - and got martyred. His sarcophagus was placed in a crypt, built by Saint Gregory of Langres in 511, a basilica over that crypt was completed in 535. In 990 Saint Mayeul, Abbot of Cluny, appointed William of Volpiano the new abbot here. William immidiatly started withe the construction of a new Romanesque church, that - instead of an apse - had a rotunda, 17 metres in diameter. In 1137 a fire destroyed most of the town and damaged the monastery and its church. The repaired building was consecrated by Pope Eugene III in 1147. In 1272 the crossing tower collapsed, destroying the whole of the upper church and severely damaging the subterranean one, and smashing some of the supporting columns of the rotunda. In 1280 the construction of a new Gothic abbey church started. This is the church seen today. What was left of the rotunda was destroyed after the Revolution. What remains is the lowest storey, which was excavated in the 19th century and has since been reworked as a crypt, seen here. There are some nicely carved capitals. Saint Benignus´ sacrophagus is empty. I learned, that the bones "got lost" during the Revolution.

The Cathédrale Saint-Bénigne was the church of the Abbey of St. Benignus. The church, erected in Gothic style 1280-1325, became the seat of the Bishopric of Dijon after the French Revolution. The first church here was a basilica built over the grave of Saint Benignus, who in the third century had come to Gaul from Smyrna as a missionary. He worked successfully in Burgundy - and got martyred. His sarcophagus was placed in a crypt, built by Saint Gregory of Langres in 511, a basilica over that crypt was completed in 535. In 990 Saint Mayeul, Abbot of Cluny, appointed William of Volpiano the new abbot here. William immidiatly started withe the construction of a new Romanesque church, that - instead of an apse - had a rotunda, 17 metres in diameter. In 1137 a fire destroyed most of the town and damaged the monastery and its church. The repaired building was consecrated by Pope Eugene III in 1147. In 1272 the crossing tower collapsed, destroying the whole of the upper church and severely damaging the subterranean one, and smashing some of the supporting columns of the rotunda. In 1280 the construction of a new Gothic abbey church started. This is the church seen today. What was left of the rotunda was destroyed after the Revolution. What remains is the lowest storey, which was excavated in the 19th century and has since been reworked as a crypt, seen here. There are some nicely carved capitals. Saint Benignus´ sacrophagus is empty. I learned, that the bones "got lost" during the Revolution.

The Cathédrale Saint-Bénigne was the church of the Abbey of St. Benignus. The church, erected in Gothic style 1280-1325, became the seat of the Bishopric of Dijon after the French Revolution. The first church here was a basilica built over the grave of Saint Benignus, who in the third century had come to Gaul from Smyrna as a missionary. He worked successfully in Burgundy - and got martyred. His sarcophagus was placed in a crypt, built by Saint Gregory of Langres in 511, a basilica over that crypt was completed in 535. In 990 Saint Mayeul, Abbot of Cluny, appointed William of Volpiano the new abbot here. William immidiatly started withe the construction of a new Romanesque church, that - instead of an apse - had a rotunda, 17 metres in diameter. In 1137 a fire destroyed most of the town and damaged the monastery and its church. The repaired building was consecrated by Pope Eugene III in 1147. In 1272 the crossing tower collapsed, destroying the whole of the upper church and severely damaging the subterranean one, and smashing some of the supporting columns of the rotunda. In 1280 the construction of a new Gothic abbey church started. This is the church seen today. What was left of the rotunda was destroyed after the Revolution. What remains is the lowest storey, which was excavated in the 19th century and has since been reworked as a crypt, seen here.

The Cathédrale Saint-Bénigne was the church of the Abbey of St. Benignus. The church, erected in Gothic style 1280-1325, became the seat of the Bishopric of Dijon after the French Revolution. The first church here was a basilica built over the grave of Saint Benignus, who in the third century had come to Gaul from Smyrna as a missionary. He worked successfully in Burgundy - and got martyred. His sarcophagus was placed in a crypt, built by Saint Gregory of Langres in 511, a basilica over that crypt was completed in 535. In 990 Saint Mayeul, Abbot of Cluny, appointed William of Volpiano the new abbot here. William immidiatly started withe the construction of a new Romanesque church, that - instead of an apse - had a rotunda, 17 metres in diameter. In 1137 a fire destroyed most of the town and damaged the monastery and its church. The repaired building was consecrated by Pope Eugene III in 1147. In 1272 the crossing tower collapsed, destroying the whole of the upper church and severely damaging the subterranean one, and smashing some of the supporting columns of the rotunda. In 1280 the construction of a new Gothic abbey church started. This is the church seen today. What was left of the rotunda was destroyed after the Revolution. What remains is the lowest storey, which was excavated in the 19th century and has since been reworked as a crypt.

The Cathédrale Saint-Bénigne was the church of the Abbey of St. Benignus. The church, erected in Gothic style 1280-1325, became the seat of the Bishopric of Dijon after the French Revolution. The first church here was a basilica built over the grave of Saint Benignus, who in the third century had come to Gaul from Smyrna as a missionary. He worked successfully in Burgundy - and got martyred. His sarcophagus was placed in a crypt, built by Saint Gregory of Langres in 511, a basilica over that crypt was completed in 535. In 990 Saint Mayeul, Abbot of Cluny, appointed William of Volpiano the new abbot here. William immidiatly started withe the construction of a new Romanesque church, that - instead of an apse - had a rotunda, 17 metres in diameter. In 1137 a fire destroyed most of the town and damaged the monastery and its church. The repaired building was consecrated by Pope Eugene III in 1147. In 1272 the crossing tower collapsed, destroying the whole of the upper church and severely damaging the subterranean one, and smashing some of the supporting columns of the rotunda. In 1280 the construction of a new Gothic abbey church started. This is the church seen today. What was left of the rotunda was destroyed after the Revolution. What remains is the lowest storey, which was excavated in the 19th century and has since been reworked as a crypt.