City Photos News France/Lodeve

Small brige over Lergue river

Mon, 7 Apr 2008 02:31:54 +0000

Lodeve lies where the plains rise up to the Larzac plateau, 54 km up north from Montpellier, in the valley of the Lergue river. It is surrounded by green hills and vineyards. Lodeve is located on A75 toll highway between Paris and Barcelona, on the South side of the Pyrennees. If you live in the area and have a problem with your car registration this is where Sous Prefecture is located and where les Cartes Grieses (car registrations, or grey cards, named after their color) are issued. .
Lodeve, France, photo by Inga.

Lergue river running through

Mon, 7 Apr 2008 02:25:14 +0000

Lergue river running through.
Lodeve, France, photo by Inga.

Hotel de Ville, next to Saint-Fulcran Cathedral

Mon, 7 Apr 2008 02:17:53 +0000

Any French town has a Centre de Ville (town centre) and a Hotel de Ville. Note that the term "Hotel de Ville" does not really mean a hotel but rather a town hall / office, or la Mairie in French. Signs to Centre de Ville are found everywhere when approaching a centre of any, even small town..
Lodeve, France, photo by Inga.

Residential houses

Mon, 7 Apr 2008 01:38:53 +0000

Residential houses.
Lodeve, France, photo by Inga.

Peach-color building with green window shutters

Mon, 7 Apr 2008 01:38:47 +0000

Peach-color building with green window shutters.
Lodeve, France, photo by Inga.

Streets of Lodeve

Mon, 7 Apr 2008 01:29:49 +0000

Small vineyard in a backyard.
Lodeve, France, photo by Inga.

Street life of Lodeve

Mon, 7 Apr 2008 01:29:43 +0000

Street life of Lodeve.
Lodeve, France, photo by Inga.

In a patisserie shop

Mon, 7 Apr 2008 01:20:30 +0000

In a patisserie shop.
Lodeve, France, photo by Inga.

Patisserie shop

Mon, 7 Apr 2008 01:20:26 +0000

A patisserie is a small shop with bread behind the counter. You tell the salesperson what kind of bread or patisserie you want and she brings it to you. The smell is irresistible. It's also very difficult to resist not to bite a hot baguette. Baguette is a thin and crusty long loaf, so named from the word that means "wand". In truth, the bread is somewhat like a magical wand, replete with charming images and myths. .
Lodeve, France, photo by Inga.

Saint-Fulcran Cathedral

Mon, 7 Apr 2008 11:20:46 +0000

Saint-Fulcran cathedral, which belongs to the group of the strengthened cathedrals of Languedoc, is classified historic building. It consists of a chorus with single nave, very broad, built half of XIII century at the end of XV century, restored after the wars of religion. In frontage a bell-tower of more than 57 m height completed in 1320 rises. The cathedral was dedicated to saint-Geniez, victim of the persecution of Diocletien, decapitated into 303, before being placed under the term of saint-Fulcran, renovating bishop of the diocese with Xe century. Saint Fulcran, 30-st bishop of Lodeve from 949 to 1006, which would have been born in a noble family in Merifons in the diocese from Lodeve, built the Romance cathedral, devoted into 975, of which there remains only one part become the crypt of the new building, under the Gothic choir..
Lodeve, France, photo by Inga.

Detail, windows of Saint-Fulcran Cathedral

Mon, 7 Apr 2008 11:19:21 +0000

Detail, windows of Saint-Fulcran Cathedral.
Lodeve, France, photo by Inga.

Detail, corner of Saint-Fulcran Cathedral

Mon, 7 Apr 2008 11:19:15 +0000

Detail, corner of Saint-Fulcran Cathedral.
Lodeve, France, photo by Inga.

Entrance to Saint-Fulcran Cathedral

Mon, 7 Apr 2008 10:54:32 +0000

The origins of the Lodeve cathedral, originally dedicated to St. Genies, date back to the 5th and 6th centuries. St. Fulcran, famous bishop from 949 to 1006, builds the Romanesque cathedral he will consecrate in 975; parts of the former church are preserved and after bring reinforced, they become the crypt of the new building. The crypt is still extant under the actual Gothic chancel. The actual building replaces the church built by St. Fulcran. From that building, foundations parts are still extant on the southern side and numerous chapters in the cloister. Construction start in the middle of the 13th century with the bulky bell tower juxtaposed to the 975 church. The construction continues with the apse around 1265/1270, then the two eastern bays of the northern side aisle and the portal with its porch. The chancel is vaulted and temporary sealed in order to be used for services. Around 1295/1300, the nothern side aisle is completed and construction begins on the southern side aisle with its chapels. On top of St. Michel chapel, a bell tower of more than 187 feet (57 meters) high is erected and completed around 1320. It will also serve as a watch tower. During Bishop Bernard Gui's episcopate (1324-1331), construction is delayed due to financial problems. Around 1345, side aisles are completed and vaulted while the lower section of the facade is erected. Black Death and Hundred Years War again delayed construction. In 1410, in response to popular demand and due to numerous miracles attributed to the dead bishop, the name of St. Fulcran officially replaces St. Genies. Between 1314 and 1430, the facade is completed and fortified with a covered way and a watchtower while the main nave is vaulted. By the end of the 15th century, St. Fulcran chapel is enlarged and a baptistry is added on the south-west. In 1573, during the Religion War, Protestants loot and severely damage the cathedral. Four large pillars of the nave are blown off leading to the collapse of archways, clerestory walls and vaults. Left intact are the chancel, the nave exterior walls and the chapels. By doing this, they wanted to isolate the bell tower, a real strategic point. St. Fulcran's body, until then preserved, was cut on a butcher's block. When the city is recuperated by Catholics, a mere hoarding is erected between the preserved chancel and the destructed nave. From 1634 to 1643, Bishop Plantavit de La Pause (1625-1648) rebuilt the nave to the identical. Canons will rebuild the cloister at the end of the 17th century. In the 18th century, the gallery and the organ are built, the chancel is sumptuously furnished by Bishop de Fumel. During the Revolution, Lodève diocese is eliminated and its territory is added to the diocese of Montpellier; the cathedral is converted into a fodder store, its furnishings except the organ are destroyed; the building narrowly escapes demolition. Major restoration and embellishment works are carried out in the 19th century; chancel butterresses are strenghtened and the Relics Chapel is built. Archpriest Beaupillier is active to embellish the interior of the catheral: he is the one who had the chancel bays reopened (they had been blind since the 16th century) and the one behind the installation of Mauvemay's magnificent stained glass windows in 1856. The large neo-Gothic pulpit, three times award-winning at the Paris World Exposition, is installed in 1867. Finally, a stone roof is installed on the bell tower. The building is a typical majestic and austere South of France Gothic building and represents the architectual influence of the mendicant orders. Since 1839, the building is classified as a "Historical Monument". from http://www.uquebec.ca/musique/orgues/france/lodevesf.html.
Lodeve, France, photo by Inga.

Detail of the wooden posts inside the Saint-Fulcran Cathedral

Mon, 7 Apr 2008 10:54:17 +0000

Detail of the wooden posts inside the Saint-Fulcran Cathedral.
Lodeve, France, photo by Inga.

Stained glass windows at Saint Fulcran Cathedral

Mon, 7 Apr 2008 10:38:18 +0000

This early Gothic Cathedral of Saint Fulcran has a majestic interior that speaks to the soul in a simple but impressive way with clean lines and enormous stained glass windows. Stained glass windows in the apse and the rose window executed by Mauvernay in 1854. The stained glass windows present an impressive brightly coloured. Design lines fit very well with the network of bays..
Lodeve, France, photo by Inga.