The Church Saint Germain of Bourgueil !!!

Posted in Europe, France

In my continuing saga of my road warrior campaigns in my belle France, I bring you to the wonderful historically and architecturally stunning little Bourgueil. We went for wine but got a lot more of nice places finally the chance to see them amongst the many unlimited choices we are lucky to have in France. The town of Bourgueil is located in the Indre-et-Loire dept no, 37 of the Centre-Val de Loire region. It is located in the heart of the Loire-Anjou-Touraine regional natural park. The town is located in the Touraine Angevine, formerly the province of Anjou. We arrive here by car of course following the road from Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil (see post), on the D35.

As there is more than wine here, let me introduce you with older pictures, new text and links to the wonderful church, Therefore, here is my take on the Church Saint Germain of Bourgueil !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.

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The Church Saint-Germain has a Romanesque nave contrasting with a Gothic choir. .It is a rectangle whose vaults rest on four monolithic columns. However, the church was recorded as early as 1002 by a papal bull of Pope Sylvester III. Consecrated in 1115. From this period remains the old gable in reticulated apparatus, visible on the western facade, whose door was retouched at the end of the 12C. The choir was rebuilt in the 13C in the Plantagenêt style. The bell tower flanked by a staircase turret crowned with a small turtle scales arrow. The current floor of the belfry with its twin bays is a repair of 1888. In very poor condition, the octagonal arrow which covered it was partly demolished in 1854.

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The characteristic feature of the Church Saint-Germain is that it has a Romanesque nave contrasting with a Gothic choir. It is a rectangle whose vaults rest on four monolithic columns. The keystones are decorated with bas-relief and painting. The old 11C nave was rebuilt in 1888. The bell tower dates from the beginning of the 12C, it is Romanesque, it is pierced by two semicircular bays on each side.  The original gable is still visible, it is composed of small stones forming a reticule.The Choir comprises three naves of three bays, it is an example of Angevine architecture from the end of the 12C. The arches of the vaults rest on four columns forming a square and surmounted by carved capitals. The keystones and those of the doubleaux are decorated with sculpted figures.  Outside, the corbels bear sculptures of the heads of grotesque figures.

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This is a nice church that should be seen more, it is nicely renovated inside and wonderful showcasing of its altars left and right and the main central altar. It has 3 naves and 3 spans ,the keystones of the arches shows figures from the Bible. The belltower is flanked by a clock tower with inside staircase crown by a fish steeple. This steeple was flatten in 1854.  The Fondation du Patrimoine or heritage foundation is collecting funds to do needed repair work on it at this time, Not easy on information if not visited.

The city of Bourgueil on its heritage (except the church!) :  https://bourgueil.fr/ma-vie-locale/histoire-et-patrimoine/

There you go folks, a dandy little town that we enjoy getting to know it as a new dot in my world map. Passing by several times and finally saw it in person, Bourgueil is a nice town and worth the detour, very good wines price/quality ratio here! Again, hope you enjoy the post on the Church Saint Germain of Bourgueil !!! as I.

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

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Published by pedmar10

I am a lover of travels to Europe , Americas , Africa and Asia as well ,who like to share my experiences of the last 53 years with the world, visiting so far 81 countries; living in 6, working in 5, and Citizen of 4, speaking fluently 4 languages. I can deal with sports especially football/soccer and love music, arts, wine collector/drinker, and go out to restaurants, and just visit the world. My background comes all the way from Candelaria and Pajara in Tenerife, Spain where my grandparents came from ;not knowing each other then, to Punta Brava, west of Havana, Cuba. There , my parents born in Cuba met and later on I was born there too. 100% guanche (annexed Tenerife to Spain on April 10 ,1496). I left Cuba as many have to Madrid, Spain where I lived for 4 years. Then, move to Perth Amboy ,New Jersey USA (living there 13 yrs) ; where I completed high school, became a US Citizen, learned to drive a car, and learned English. Afterward, went to the university in Florida, ERAU, and upon graduation decided to moved there to Ormond by the Sea, near Daytona Beach, finally moving North Miami, then Hialeah, then another moved to Silver Lakes division in Miramar, Broward county, Florida; in Florida I lived a total of 18 years. Finally , moved to France in 2003 ,Versailles call me for its royalty, and working in Paris was great. It was time to seek frontiers again and moved to Brech near Auray, Morbihan in Brittany , and later move to not too far Pluvigner. Total so far in France has been 20 years, and counting. Moving average a home every 5.5 years hopefully this will be my last. Cheers All rights reserved. No part of this blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means or stored in a retrieval system of any nature, without the written permission of the copyright holder, me. No part of this work may be modified, without the written permission of the holder, me.No part of this work may be exposed to public view in any form or by any means, without identifying the holder as the author, and with the before mentioned permission.

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