Let me tell you about an off the beaten path city of Troyes as found me more pictures in my cd rom vault that should be in my blog for you and me, We came here around for outlet shopping but did get a peek into City center and this jewel, The city of Troyes is in the dept no 10 of the Aube in the region of Grand Est of my belle France, It is located in the historical and cultural region of Champagne, of which it was the county capital. It is crossed by the Seine. Only 164 km from Paris, 126 km from Reims, 101 km from Épernay , 154 km from Dijon, 182 km from Versailles,and 610 km from my current home, Therefore, let me tell you about the Church Sainte Madeleine of Troyes !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
The oldest church in Troyes is the Church Sainte-Madeleine ,the construction began in 1157, but it was rebuilt around 1200 in the Gothic style that had just appeared in France, while retaining some Romanesque elements in the nave. Around 1500, the apse and the choir were renovated in Flamboyant Gothic style. The Renaissance-style tower dates from 1525, as does the Flamboyant Gothic portal of the old cemetery. The nave was, in turn, restored in the 19C, The church is located at the corner of the rue Charles-de-Gaulle and rue Madeleine.
The Church Sainte-Madeleine attracts attention for the number of its jewels. It is one of the few churches in France to have preserved its Renaissance rood screen, a stone lacework by the sculptor Jehan Gailde. The rood screen. In 1503, the chapter of Sainte-Madeleine wanted to replace its wooden rood screen with a stone work. But, at the same time, the cathedral chapter was looking for an architect to build the monument’s portal. Sculptor Jehan Gailde’s project was rejected. It is said that, chosen for the rood screen, the artist took revenge by outdoing himself. His masterpiece can still be seen as he himself designed and sculpted it with the help of other sculptors between 1508 and 1515. Gailde is buried beneath the rood screen. The rood screen with the statue of the Virgin. The rood screen combines floral and animal motifs, grotesques, figures in period dress, etc. A side staircase dating from the early 16C leads to the openwork gallery. This gallery is made up of crowned fleurs-de-lis and flamboyant trefoils.
A high altar decorated with three marbles: white marble with gray veins, black with white veins and reddish brown with white veins from the same period as the paneling. Furnished with a set consisting of a celebrant’s chair and four Louis XVI period stools. The choir was renovated around 1500 in Flamboyant Gothic style. The Church Sainte Madeleine choir offers superb examples of stained glass from the Troyes School to the early Renaissance, characterized by bold designs, vibrant colors, and great technical refinement. The ambulatory shines with superb stained glass windows from the same period (around 1500), characterized by bold designs, shimmering colors, and great technical refinement. Admire a lush Tree of Jesse, a Genesis depicting a Heavenly Father dressed as a pope, and the legend of Saint Eligius. Finally, in a side aisle, stands the statue of Saint Martha, and the remarkable stained glass window of the Creation, And an organ, a work by Charles and Frédéric Rollin from 1901.
Who is Saint Magdalene (Sainte Madeleine)? A panel in the church sheds some light on this point. No woman named Magdalene appears in the Gospels. In fact, it was the Middle Ages that conflated three women named Mary into one. These three women crossed paths with Jesus of Nazareth at one point or another in their lives. Tradition has referred to them as “Magdalene” or “Mary Magdalene”… paving the way for countless artistic creations, even masterpieces. First, we find Mary Magdalene . She was from the village of the same name. Jesus delivered her from the seven demons. Then she followed him with other women. After Calvary, she participated in the burial. She would be one of the first witnesses of the Resurrection. Then there is Mary, wife of Clopas. She is the mother of James the Less and Joset. On Calvary, she is near the cross and will also witness the Resurrection. Finally, Mary of Bethany, sister of Lazarus and Martha. The young woman is often depicted sitting at Jesus’ feet listening to his words. The Trojan painter Jacques de Létin gives a magnificent illustration of this in his picturesque painting, exhibited in the Church Sainte-Madeleine, “Jesus at Martha and Mary of Bethany”. It is Mary of Bethany who, a few days before the Passion, perfumes Jesus’ feet and wipes them with her hair. She is wrongly likened to the “sinner” who also perfumed Jesus’ feet as reported in the Gospel of Luke. Thus contributing to making Mary Magdalene a repentant sinner. This triple confusion is further obscured by a legend that tells of a persecutor who put Lazarus, Martha, and Mary on a boat without sails, oars, or a rudder so that they would perish. But a miracle thwarted his wicked plan, and the boat arrived safely… in Marseille. This is the scene illustrated in the stained-glass window depicting the life of Magdalene. We see the persecutor, dressed in a magnificent costume, making grand gestures to encourage the three siblings to embark. And tradition and findings prove that Martha heads towards Avignon and Tarascon, Lazarus goes to Marseille, and Mary Magdalene after staying with Lazarus for some time to announce the gospel takes refuge in a cave that will later be known as Sainte-Baume. The head ,the skull of the deceased nevertheless rests in an impressive gold reliquary, in the crypt of the Basilica of Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, above her tomb. Pope Clément IV in 1279, proclaimed that the body found in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume is indeed the body of Marie Madeleine.
The local Aube Champagne tourist office on the Church Sainte Madeleine: https://www.aube-champagne.com/en/poi/eglise-sainte-madeleine-2/
The City of Troyes on its religious heritage : https://www.ville-troyes.fr/decouvrir-troyes/troyes-un-patrimoine-et-une-architecture-exceptionnels/le-patrimoine-religieux-et-cultuel/
The Troyes Champagne tourist office on the Church Sainte Madeleine: https://www.troyeslachampagne.com/patrimoine-culturel/eglise-sainte-madeleine-2/
There you go folks,another wonderful off the beaten path city of Troyes. It is worth more time indeed, we will be back,eventually, Again, hope you enjoy this post on the Church Sainte Madeleine of Troyes !!! as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 