Rando photo on the path of Compostelle de Cahors to Moissac and Lectoure
Architectural richness and exceptional terroirs. Denis Grison guides us in photo on the Chemin de « Compostela ». Cahors in Moissacthen Moissac à Lectoure, 130km of stage of GR 65. The pilgrim is guided by architectural discoveries in testimonies of local wealth.
Valentré Bridge in Cahors (Lot)
The ride starts in the Lot in Cahors.
« Started in 1308, the last stone of the bridge will only be laid 70 years later, explains Actual ! Desperate by « that lost time »The architect asked the devil to help him complete the work, in exchange for which he would abandon his soul as a payment.
However, when the bridge is almost finished, the architect plays a clever trick by asking him to climb water at the top of the central tower in order to spoil the mortar to seal the last stone of the bridge. But, as a container, he gives him... a sieve. Thus, failing to get up from the water, the devil cannot fulfil his commitment to complete the work. As a result, the architect saves his soul. Furious, Satan returns every night to tear the last stone from the bridge that the masons have set up. »
The shepherds' arbris on the GR65: the burons
Other examples of rural architecture: Pigeons
Church of Rouillac in Montcuq (Lot)
« The bedside and side walls of the nave are the oldest parts of the church and perhaps date from the second half of the XIIe century », explains Wikipedia.
The portal dates from XVe century and was re-used as door from the cemetery to the XIXe century when the bell tower was added.
The north and south chapels were added after 1870 as well as the false vaults of the nave. The date 1883 is marked on a support of a north elevation window.
The building was inscribed for its nave, except the bell tower, and classified for its choir and paintings as historical monuments.
A pictorial program of the end of the XIIe century constituting a remarkable set of Romanesque paintings of Quercy. »
Church of Saint-Sernin du Bosc in Lauzerte (Tarn and Garonne)
The last restoration of the church of Saint-Sernin du Bosc dates from 1994. Save French Art explains : « The church is absolutely isolated and almost forgotten in an aggressive valley, difficult access, called poetically « Honey Comb ». It became a parish church after the Revolution and is located in the municipality of Lauzerte.
Under the Old Regime of the Diocese of Cahors, she was one of many possessions of the abbey of Moissac, on which she depended until XIII.e s. It was then ceded by the abbots of Moissac to the bishop of Cahors. It is a Romanesque building of very modest proportions (total length of 20 meters), built of medium-sized stone. »
Abbey Saint-Pierre de Moissac (Tarn and Garonne)
The Abbey of Saint-Pierre de Moissac is impressive. The abbey site gives his story and even a video from the show « Roots and wings« .
The tympanum of the abbey
The tympanum of St. Peter's Church of Moissac is 6.5 m by 4.5 m. It was made between 1110 and 1130. It is inspired by John's Revelation. This passionate details the elements of the eardrum.
The Shroud
The monolithic haze is adorned with interlaced animals: three pairs of intercrossed lions and lions, placed on a vegetal background, overlap on the apparent face of the haze and evoke divine ascension; The side faces represent Saint Paul and the prophet Jeremiah. As for the two characters of the polylobic piedrobes of Moorish influence, they are Saint Peter and the prophet Isaiah. The two apostles are probably an allusion to the attachment of Moissac to the abbey of Cluny, placed under the protection of St Peter and St Paul.
Saint Paul
The Prophet Jeremiah
What a modern bill for a 12th century statue!
The interior of Saint-Pierre Abbey
Inside, in addition to the dogive cross-sections, the murals, a superb placing at the tomb of polychrome wood life-size at the end of the 15th century.
The Roman cloister
The cloister dates back to 1100. It consists of four carpented galleries whose arcades fall on a series of 116 marble columns. The cloister houses 46 capitals with various themes: Genesis, Childhood of Christ, Miracles of Saint Benedict, plants, animals...
Auvillar
Following the walk in Tarn and Garonne. Auvillar is one of the most beautiful villages in France, on the banks of Garonne. Among its jewels: the circular hall, the clock tower.
Bridge suspended on the Garonne in Auvillar
One of the oldest suspended bridges?
Saint Anthony
Religious settled on the Arratz in the 12th century. From their hospital, they watched the bridge and the mill. The oldest paintings date from the 15th century.
Bardigues and its traditional house
Flamarens Castle
The ruins of Cachepouy Castle.
The church of Castet-Arrouy with its octagonal bell tower.
The arrival in Lectoure
The final stage of the hike of Denis : Lectoure in the Gers.
Its Cathedral Saint-Gervais – Saint-Protais dates from the 15th century. This beautiful city was one of the capitals of the Counts of Armagnac.
The Diane or Hountélie fountain, the Grain Hall, the 3-ball hotel.
What about the next step?
Thank you Denis for these steps of the GR65. What about the next destination?
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