Saturday, January 20, 2018

20/01/2018 Taking a look at Saint-Etienne Cathedral in Auxerre on the drive back from the UK at the end of December 2017

Maximum temperature 12C, minimum 4C.  As I type this, it is very windy and pouring with rain outside; this weather is forecast to continue for another week!   Westerly winds; 30 km/h with up to 71 km/h gusts.  Very unpleasant to say the least of it!
Auxerre is built on the west bank of the Yonne river, which is a tributary of the Seine and is 292 km (181 miles) long.

Taking a look at some of the boats; this one is a floating restaurant. You can see the bridge across the Yonne in the background.

Standing by the river, looking up at the town with  a view of Saint-Etienne Cathedral behind on the left.

We walked up the hill to the cathedral, but because there are so many buildings around it, this was the best closer view I could get.  The cathedral is Roman Catholic and built between the years 1213 and 1233 in Gothic style  over an 11th century crypt.

The grand entrance into the building.....

and a closer look at the amazingly detailed carvings over the doorway!

Looking upwards from the doorway, showing a gargoyle, which probably 
acts as a rainwater spout.

The spectacular nave.

and looking up at the beautiful vaulted ceiling.

Looking up at the stained glass windows

More stained glass, in beautiful colours.

as above.

The following morning, before we left to drive home, we took photos of the town from the other side of the Yonne river; these are really the best photos of all - so more of Auxerre to come.

While the weather remains as it is I will not be going anywhere to take photos and the camera remains in its travel bag as it has done all of January so far!

12 comments:

  1. Wow...that is a beautiful church. I bet you loved going in to view that. Nice. Hoping that you are doing better. I have a friend that got the sinus crap and after 1.5 months, still has the cough. Hoping you get over it now...enough is enough.

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    1. It is a stunning cathedral Pam. I am feeling much better, just the cough is now the problem!!!! As you say enough is enough!! Take care Diane

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  2. I had to check the atlas for the location of the Yonne. I had never heard of it before. No matter what the weather I go outside for at least part of every day. I stay inside I go a little crazy!

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    1. You obviously have not got the problems I have to go out in all weathers. I hate staying in the house, but it is a whole lot better than taking a trip to hospital. I have had pneumonia 3 times and a cough that in the past lasted for 9 years. Thank goodness for an Italian Dr who finally fixed it with a daily drip for a week after seeing a string of specialists. Nigel would have a fit if I went out in this cold, damp weather with a biting wind as it would certainly put me back in hospital. Cheers Diane

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  3. Magnificent cathedral details Diane. Oh my gosh you really are having some horrible weather! Keep warm, read lots of books and before you know it spring will be there xox

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    1. Grace the cold and the damp are a really bad combination!! Spring cannot come fast enough for me, it would be nice though to just see a little sun!!!! Keep well Diane

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  4. She’s a great building, I am always amazed by the workmanship for that time in history!

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    1. I agree. How did they build places like this without the equipment that we have today. Keep well Diane

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  5. The cathedral is just magnificent. Such incredible craftsmanship.

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    1. The builders in those days were far superior to what we have today!! Hope all is well Diane

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  6. So beautiful, majestic! Amazing really.

    xoxo

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    1. Majestic is the right word. Amazing what they built in the early days. Keep well Diane

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