Tuesday, July 28, 2009

The Monastery of Mont Saint-Michel

Monastery of Mont Saint-Michel

View from the monastery

church at the Monastery

inside the church

inside the monastery

Saint-Michel

inside the monastery

inside the monastery

statue of Saint-MichelIn the beginning of the 8th century, according to legend, Archangel Saint Michael instructed the bishop of Avranches to build a monastery on Mont Saint-Michel. The Benedictine monks settled on the rock in 966 and over the next centuries the monastery was extended.

During the French Revolution Mont Saint-Michel was used as a prison but was closed by Napoleon and returned to the pilgrims before the end of the 19th century.

The monastery is open every day except the 1st of january, the 1st of may and the 25th of december. Tickets are available at the entrance only.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Mont Saint-Michel

Mont Saint-Michel

Mont Saint-Michel

centre of Mont Saint-Michel

centre of Mont Saint-Michel

centre of Mont Saint-Michel

Mont Saint-Michel

Mont Saint-MichelMont Saint-Michel is an island in the Lower Normandy region in France. The island is connected to the mainland by a causeway build in 1879. According to the legend, Archangel Saint-Michael instructed the bishop of Avranches to build a monastery at the top of the rocky island.

At the bottom of Mont-St-Michel is a small village, this was build in the Middle Ages at the same time as the monastery was developping. The walk to the monastery is on a steep and narrow cobblestone street through this village.

Mont Saint-Michel was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Caen

Caen is the capital of the Lower Normandy region of France. It was William the Conqurer’s favourite city and where he married his cousin Matilda of Flanders. The city is located 238km northwest of Paris.

View from Chateau Ducal View on the Saint-Pierre Church from Château Ducal.


Maison des QuatransMaison des Quatrans opposite Château Ducal.


Rue EcuyereView on Rue Ecuyère.


Postal MuseumPostal Museum in the Rue Saint-Pierre.


Bertrand du GuesclinStatue of Bertrand du Guesclin at Place Saint-Martin.


St. Etienne ChurchThe old St. Etienne Church close to the Abbaye aux Hommes


Leroy Tower The Leroy Tower, close to the Saint-Pierre Church.



Museum of Fine Arts

Museum of Fine ArtsThe Museum of Fine Arts in Caen is located in Château Ducal. The museum has a collection of paintings from the 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th century.

View location in Caen, France

The Saint-Pierre Church

front of the Saint-Pierre Church

inside the church

back of Saint-Pierre ChurchThe Saint-Pierre Church in Caen is situated in the centre of the city opposite Château Ducal. It was build in the beginning of the 13th century in Gothic style. The church was restored after the war when it got damaged, including the beautiful spire on the 75m high tower.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Abbaye aux Hommes

Abbaye aux HommesThe Abbaye aux Hommes is situated in the French city of Caen. It is a former abbey church that was dedicated to Saint Etienne. It was founded by William the Conquerer in 1066 as penance for marrying Matilda of Flanders against the Pope's ruling. On the left of the abbey you can see the town hall of Caen that is build against it.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Château Ducal

Château Ducal

Château Ducal

Château Ducal

Château Ducal

Château Ducal

Château Ducal

Château DucalChâteau Ducal in Caen was built by William the Conqueror in 1060. The castle is one of the largest medieval fortresses in Western Europe. After the war in 1944 the castle was seriously damaged and a large part was restored. Today the castle serves as a museum, it houses the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Normandy and has temporary exhibitions on art and history

Saturday, July 04, 2009

The Saint-Jean Church in Caen

front of Saint-Jean Church

inside the Saint-Jean Church

inside the Saint-Jean Church

inside the Saint-Jean Church

inside the Saint-Jean ChurchThe Saint-Jean Church in Caen was build between the 14th and 16th century in Gothic style. It was the only remaining building in the quarter of St Jean after a bombing in World War II. As you can see the main tower leans to the left, this is because the church was built on marshy ground.

 
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