Paris1972-Versailles2003

We have come several times and always a must in Lavaur, our sentimental city as is the native town of Pierre, my dear late wife Martine’s father, The Saint Alain Cathedral is a majestic monument, a must to visit in town if anything else. A masterpiece that needs to be discovered by many. I found more pictures of it and feel should be in my blog for memories’s sake. We love it and sure will be back eventually, Of course, it is in the Tarn 81 of Occtanie  region, in my belle France. Therefore, here is me again on the Cathedral Saint Alain of Lavaur, part III !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I,

The Saint Alain Cathedral is of southern Gothic style , and was built between 1255 and 1300. At the front is the Bishopric Garden (see post). The origin of Saint Alain honored at Lavaur remains unknown. The foundation of the Saint-Alain priory is certified by a charter of August 5, 1098 to the Benedictine monks of the Saint-Pons-de-Thomières abbey, responsible for rebuilding the Saint-Elan church in Lavaur, then in ruins , which proves that the worship of Saint Alain in Lavaur is clearly prior to this date.

The structure overlooking the Agout river is characterized by a single nave lined with chapels, and a powerful bell tower with a monumental portal from the end 15C or beginning 16C. The restoration of all the decoration painted in the 19C was completed in 2016 The town of Lavaur is the only one in the South-West to have a Jacquemart, a wooden automaton hoisted in the tower of the cathedral at the beginning of the 17C , The Saint Alain Cathedral has a single nave lined with chapels (14-15C), flanked by a 14C apse. The nave of 5 bays plus the choir and the apse without pillars, typical of the first Languedoc Gothic. Its length is 85 meters, width: 114 meters, arch height 25 meters. The total length of the cathedral, including the chapel under the bell tower, is 73 meters,

The frescoes created in the 19C in trompe-l’oeil, walls in grisaille and vaults with fine Gothic color decorations, shine with new brilliance, inviting visitors of all ages to re-read them. A vestige of an early Romanesque church, this altar table is exceptional. It is a sink-cut marble table, decorated on three of its chamfered edges. In the center stands Christ in glory in a medallion held by two angels who look away from the divine light. This set is placed on a marble platform. Small spotlights inserted into the marble highlight the sculpted frieze representing Christ served by angels.

At the bottom under the organ loft, halfway up, the paintings of Moses and Aaron. On both sides of the nave, representations of the Fathers and Doctors of the Church: North Wall: Bernard, Fulgence, Léon, Augustine, Jean-Chrysosthome, Gregoire de Nazianze, Athanase, Cyprien. South Wall: Thomas Aquinas, Gregory, Caesarius, Cyril of Alexandria, Jerome, Ambrose, Basil, Hilaire. On the vault, 44 saints painted in medallions. The large Cavaillé-Coll organ was installed in 1876, behind a splendid polychrome carved wooden case from 1523 a masterpiece of Renaissance art.

The city of Lavaur on the Saint Alain Cathedral : https://www.ville-lavaur.fr/La-Cathedrale-Saint-Alain/

The Local Tarn Agout tourist office on Lavaur’s heritage : https://www.tourisme-tarnagout.com/decouvrir-et-visiter/nos-villes-et-villages/lavaur/

The Catholic Diocese of Albi on the Saint Alain Cathedral of Lavaur : https://albi.catholique.fr/eglises-du-tarn/lavaur-cathedrale-saint-alain/

There you go folks, a masterpiece and should be visited more , even if Lavaur is still in the off the beaten path of most visitors. It is a wonderful cathedral surrounded by beautiful buildings and gardens all walkable. A delight me think. Again, hope you enjoy the post on the Cathedral Saint Alain of Lavaur, part III !!! as I.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!