Monday 28 February 2011

BLOIS SAINT NICOLAS CHURCH

Hi,


Saint-Nicolas de Blois is a magnificent Romanesque church built from 1138 by Benedictine monks. They were coming from a land called "La Perche"  (130 km north of Blois), fleeing a Viking raid. They settled in Blois and built their monastery and the church of St. Laumer (named after the founder of their monastery wich became later the church Saint-Nicolas).
The church has been damaged during the Wars of Religion (1568) and rebuilt during  17th century.
Located at the bottom of the Blois royal castle, surrounded by an old medieval neighborhood, this church is dominating the city by its massive and elegant silhouette. The monument is unfortunately not highlighted by the city and do not enjoy such the  night spotlights wich can receive the Cathedral. For one of the oldest building in Blois, it is such a pity.

On the drawing you can see a part of the royal castel, the aisle "Gaston d'orléans" (1635-38)












Guillaume.