Paris1972-Versailles2003

I take you again to beautiful Cordes sur Ciel. The never ending story of my finding pictures in my cd rom vault to revive old memories forever for me and you. I already told you how got here first, and can see my other posts, However, let me tell you now about the Church Saint Michel of Cordes sur Ciel !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.

The town of Cordes sur Ciel is very popular because it is beautiful ; and we love it too. The town perch high is located in the Tarn dept 81 ,in the region of Occitanie, and in my belle France. It was built in the year 1222 by Count Raymond VII of Toulouse as a place of Cathars on a medieval layout of narrow and steep streets from which high above it , you can see the wonderful valley of the Cérou. It is a grand site of the region on the route to Saint James/Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage. My dear late wife Martine father’s side family is from the area,and this made me see it long ago, The text below taken from the Diocese of Albi.

The Church Saint Michel or Michael was first mention in 269, construction estimated between 1263 and 1281, essential parts completed in 1287. In 1369-1374 ,construction of the bell tower with 3 bells, By the 15C, numerous works including the construction of the rose window, remodeling of the nave (1485), paving of the floor (1460-1470). The church reaches its current dimensions: 40 meters long, 30 meters wide and high. In 1538 the church is burned down by the Huguenots during the Wars of Religion. The pulpit is from 1620 renovated in the 19C. The Altar and altarpiece of the choir were done in 1684. In 1842: Installation of the organ from Notre-Dame de Paris. It was used for the baptism of the Count of Paris, grandson of King Louis-Philippe, and for the funeral of the Duke of Orléans, father of the Count of Paris. The nave built from 1455 to 1485 with a vault , Renaissance-style paintings by Gayral in 1841 keystones: coat of arms of Cordes pillars painted by Gayral in 1844. 15C rose window by Rogier, painted by the Thibault company of Clermont-Ferrand in 1848, the blue is copper sulfate. Statues: Saint Anthony of Padua and Saint John (1894)

The Chapelle Saint Eutrope with a painting of Saint Louis Gonzaga in prayer by Alberti de Benedetti from 1843. The Chapelle Sacre Coeur or Sacred Heart carved wooden tabernacle by Constans, gilded by Lafontaine in 1684 , Sacred Heart painting by Denis from 1843. Chapelle Notre-Dame de Pitié or Our Lady of Pity Chapel a Pietà painting Mary at the foot of the cross by Roques (1843). Chapelle Saint John painting of Saint Lucy and Saint Catherine by Bedos from 1682: the saints are holding a palm branch and, at their feet, one has scissors, the other a sword. 14C vault with a keystone depicting an eagle, symbol of the evangelist Saint John. Chapelle Saint James painting of the Apotheosis of Saint James by Alberti Benedetti from 1843. 14C vault note the springing of the vault ribs. Chapelle Saint Joseph winged tabernacle: carved and gilded wood by Estavialle in 1684 with panels of the Visitation and Annunciation. Chapelle du Rosaire or Rosary, painting of the Virgin and Child in heaven from 1840 by Joseph Roques. Chapelle Saint Eloi tabernacle from 1843 , painting of Saint Eloi praying before the relics of Saint Denis by Denis, 1844. Chapelle Saint Crépin, painting of Saint Margaret of Antioch with the dragon from 1842, 16C wooden statue of Notre Dame de la Vaysse . La Vaysse is the original parish church outside the city walls. Chapelle Saint Anne painting of the Virgin and Child with Saint Anne and Saint Joachim by Denis, 1844. Chapelle du Clocher or Bell Tower Chapel.

The Altarpiece of the high altar, in carved, painted, and gilded wood, with five compartments, two of which extend onto the choir walls, delimited by six twisted columns adorned with vine leaves and Corinthian capitals. In the center, a painting depicting the Crucifixion with the Virgin Mary, Saint John, Mary Magdalene, and Saint Michael slaying the dragon. In the side compartments, four niches with plaster statues of the four Evangelists. Crowning element: entablature and aedicula above the central compartment. The cornice is arched above the painting. The tympanum is adorned with a triangle surrounded by rays. The aedicula is delimited by four small columns adorned with laurel branches on the lower third and fluted on the upper two-thirds; Corinthian capitals; supporting volutes. In the center, an arched niche with a statue of Saint Michael slaying the dragon. Crowning element: entablature. Ornamentation: cherubs, fruit garlands, shells, palms.

The Altarpiece sculpted in 1679 by Constans. The painting was created by Charles de Raverolles in 1669. The statues were sculpted by Gayral in 1843, the statue of Saint Michael by Gavanon in 1824. The altarpiece of the Chapelle Notre-Dame de Piété, in carved and gilded wood. One compartment delimited by two panels imitating pilasters: fluting carved into the panels; Ionic capitals. In the center, a painting depicting the Pietà, attributed to Roques, 19C. The Altarpiece from the Chapelle Saint Joseph, made of carved, painted, and gilded wood. A central compartment is framed by two large, scrolling, leafy volutes. In the center, an arched niche contains a statue of Saint Joseph holding the Child Jesus. The altarpiece is crowned with a curved cornice. 18C.

The city of Cordes sur Ciel on its heritage: http://mairie.cordessurciel.fr/culture-loisirs/decouvrir-cordes

The local la Toscane Occitane tourist office on Cordes sur Ciel: https://www.la-toscane-occitane.com/en/visiter/villes-villages/cordes-sur-ciel/

The Occitanie region tourist office on the Church Saint Michel: https://www.tourisme-occitanie.com/fr/fiche/patrimoine-culturel/eglise-saint-michel-cordes-sur-ciel_TFOSITRA2_PCU_4734524/

The Catholic diocese of Albi on the Church Saint Michel of Cordes sur Ciel :https://albi.catholique.fr/eglises-du-tarn/cordes-eglise-saint-michel/

There you go folks, Cordes sur Ciel or is it heavens on Cordes! A wonderful cloud perch town that is worth any detour you can take while in the region or even go directly there! We came back again and looking forward to be back, eventually. Again, hope you enjoy the post on the Church Saint Michel of Cordes sur Ciel !!! as I.

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