Mon Dieu! Quel Bleu!

This day we made a tour by car through the Laon region. Very much of what you see has something to do with one of the both World Wars. Like in the community of Monthenault.

At the close of World War I were five buildings still standing. This was due to the French artillery which destroyed (their own!) village as they targeted the German troops resting behind the ridge of the Chemin Des Dames Front.

In 1920 started the rebuilding of the village, including its castle and church.

You're advised to visit the church. It's described as flowering in its youth. Called an Art Deco masterpiece of the Reconstruction, it rose like a Phoenix in 1932 from the blueprints of the Laon architect Pierre Müller (1889-1965).

A notice board mentions: "... Go in and visit. You will be surprised by the blue light that is created by its stained- glass windows. These windows are the work of Louis Barrilet (1880-1948) a glassmaker who won a multitude of prizes for his creations ... "

So we went inside and were surprised indeed! Good heavens! So blue in blue ... Never seen so much a miraculous blue inside of a church ... ;)