Normandy: church at Sainte-Marie-du-Mont

This was originally the site of a pagan temple dedicated to the Nordic gods.

The church evolved over a long period: its nave (at left) was constructed during the 11th and 12th centuries, the transept (middle) in the 13th and 14th, then the choir (right) in the 15th and 16th centuries.

From the church's earliest phase, the sculpted capitals in the nave are fascinating.

The top section of the tower, in renaissance style, dates back to the 16th century.  It is - to put it politely - an oddity, especially in the context of the lack of external decoration of most of Normandy's older churches.  It can be seen from many kilometres around, and the view from its top is said to be superb.  (So how does one arrange to get up there?)

As Maupassant quipped of the Eiffel Tower, it is no doubt preferable to be inside it and looking out, as that is the only way of not seeing it.


For more background information, click on the link above to the sculpted capitals.