Saturday, November 08, 2014

Le Temps De La Cathédrale

Wandering Around The Cottage - November 2014 Edition - 1



Here in Brittany we were blessed with the longest and warmest summer I have ever experienced since I settled here. It was mostly sunny and dry from May to the end of October, which is very unusual. If you know nothing about Brittany, let me just tell you that what people associate with this place is our famous yellow raincoat...


Nous avons eu cet année l'été le plus long et le plus chaud que j'ai jamais connu depuis que je me suis installée en Bretagne. Je sais, c'est à peine croyable puisque la France n'a pas connu son plus bel été, mais ici le temps a été chaud et sec de mai à fin Octobre... Autant vous dire que le ciré breton est resté au placard!


But, as it sometimes happens, the day my kinder garden best friend came to visit, it was grey and I was afraid it might rain as I thought it had to at some point... So at the last minute, I changed my plan to hike with her on the seaside to visit a cathedral, so we could hurry inside if it began raining. 

Now that it's November, chilly and raining, what would you like me to take you to Tréguier's Cathedral? It's the little red spot on the maps above and below if you want to know where you're going.


Evidemment, en plein milieu de son long et bel été, il a fait un temps gris et menaçant juste le jour où ma meilleure amie, rencontrée en maternelle, venait me rendre visite. Mes plans de randonnée en bord de mer ont vite été modifiés: une visite de la cathédrale de Tréguier, dans laquelle on pouvait se réfugier si les gouttes tombaient, m'a semblé plus sûre. 

Maintenant que le mois de Novembre est là avec pluie, vent et air frais, que diriez-vous que je vous emmène à votre tour à la cathédrale?



Today, it's very surprising to see such a huge cathedral in such a small town (it's a little more than 2,600 inhabitants), but during the Middle Age, Tréguier was a cathedral town with its very own bishop!


Aujourd'hui, cela semble bizarre d'avoir une si grande cathédrale dans une si petite ville, mais au Moyen-Age et jusqu'à la Révolution, Tréguier était un évêché.


The very first church was built here in the 6th century, but nothing is left of it: it was probably made out of wood.


La toute première église sur ce lieu date du VIe siècle, mais il ne nous en reste rien car on pense qu'elle avait été construite en bois.


The cathedral we visit today was mostly built in the Gothic style during the 14th and 15th century, though there are sometimes part of a Roman church built in the 10th century still noticeable. During the Middle Age, the inside of the Cathedral was all painted. Now you can only see it on the ceiling.


La cathédrale que l'on visite aujourd'hui date essentiellement des XIVe et XVe siècles et est donc de style gothique, mais on peut aussi voir quelques restes de l'ancienne construction romane du Xe siècle. La cathédrale était évidemment entièrement peinte au Moyen Age et il en reste des traces sur le plafond.


The cathedral is famous for the amazing Saint Yves's grave that is inside. Again, it's not the original one that was destroyed during the French Revolution. The one we can see today dates from the 19th century, but it's a real work of art.


La cathédrale possède un étonnant tombeau de Saint-Yves. Ce n'est pas l'original qui a été détruit pendant la Révolution: celui que je vous montre date du XIXe siècle. Mais le travail délicat des artisans en a fait une dentelle époustouflante.


In Brittany, it was very common to ask a saint for some help and then to thank him if he had, indeed, helped. You can see how popular Saint Yves was by the number of ex-votos on his tomb.


La popularité de Saint Yves peut se mesurer au nombre impressionnant d'ex-voto déposés sur son tombeau.


Les vitraux sont eux aussi postérieurs à la Révolution, à l'exception du petit ci-dessous, seul rescapé du temps des cathédrales!


The stained-glass windows are not the original, except for the tiny one above that dates from the 15th century.


In one of the chapel, the three windows were designed to commemorate World War I... Do you see why I chose to take you to this Cathedral this month, when we are remembering that one century ago, this awful war began?


Les vitraux d'une des chapelles sont un hommage aux soldats morts lors de la Première Guerre mondiale. Vous comprenez maintenant pourquoi je tenais à vous emmener dans cette cathédrale en ce mois où les cérémonies célébrant le souvenir des soldats morts dans cette guerre affreuse se multiplient.

The cathedral was linked to a monastery and in my next post, I'll show you what's left of it: a wonderful cloister.

La cathédrale était construite contre un monastère et dans le prochain article, je vous emmène dans le magnifique cloître.

A bientôt,

See you soon, 



PS1: If you're visiting Tréguier someday, I know the address for a very bad restaurant (no kidding, I never ate so little in a restaurant, that's how bad it was!)

PS1: Si vous visitez Tréguier un jour, je peux vous donner l'adresse d'un très mauvais restaurant (sans rire, je n'ai jamais laissé autant de choses dans mon assiette...)

PS2: I thought a little French song would put you in the mood since the title is "Le Temps des cathédrales", from the musical "Notre-Dame de Paris". 

PS2: Une petite chanson bien à-propos!



PS3: After listening to the song, if you're in the mood to visit Notre-Dame de Paris, you can just by
clicking your heels... or maybe by clicking here!

PS4: I'll be taking more people to the cathedral by linking to some awesome parties.
                  
http://travelphotodiscovery.com/romagna-italy-first-impressions-travel-photo-mondays/   Savvy Southern Style        Vintage Inspiration Party  
Ivy and Elephants                       

37 comments:

  1. So beautiful Magali. We are watching the Borgais on Netflix right now and I am in awe of the craftsmanship these places hold. With all of the tools we have now and to think they did it all by hand....amazing!

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  2. This was beautiful to view :) Interesting to see the chairs there versus pews.

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    1. Sometimes there are chairs, sometimes pews, it depends on the church.. Thanks for visiting the Cathedral with me!

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  3. That cathedral is incredible. What a majestic building. Amazing!

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  4. Oh, thanks for the wonderful tour.

    We are still experiencing unusually warm weather this November. It is wonderful, but scary - we NEED rain.

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  5. Beautiful cathedral, beautiful music! I really enjoy reading your blog. When I was 17, I lived in Bordeaux with a French family for a year. My French was pretty good, but 46 years later, I've forgotten a lot. So I read the French part on your blog for a little practice and then go back and read the English version.

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  6. Je suis toujours épatée de voir à quel point il y a de beaux édifices dans notre si belle France.
    Passe une excellente soirée.
    caresses aux griffus tout poilus. Bises. Babette

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  7. What a lovely place to visit (and to get out of a rain shower)! I enjoyed seeing all the beautiful details and knowing the history. I hope I get to visit there someday, but I am glad to have your blog to see the beautiful sights. Have a wonderful weekend - I hope it stays dry for you. xo Karen

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    1. Ooops! So much for the staying dry! It has been raining on and off all day... which means my floor is full of little dirty paws!

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  8. What a lovely post and I loved reading your French as well, which is clearly very good. How lovely for you to live in Brittany.
    Carolyn

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    1. How nice of you to stop by my little Cottage! I've been reading your blog for ever!

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  9. Oh beautiful, Magali. I love the stained glass!
    Hugs,
    Patti

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  10. Merci pour cette balade et pour la visite de la belle cathedrale!
    J'ai toujours reve d'aller en Bretagne, mais je n'en ai pas eu l'occasion a ce jour!
    Bon Dimanche, Magali!!!

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  11. Oh my...such a beautiful cathedral! The stained glass windows are amazing. I didn't know your best friend is a kindergarten teacher...:) Sweet! Hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend.

    Blessings, Vicky

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  12. This is a truly magnificent cathedral... I am admiring the amazing craftmanship. Thank you for sharing this beautiful place.

    I hope you had a wonderful time with your friend.

    Janet

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  13. You make me need to be in France right now! Thank you for another lovely little visit around Brittany.

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  14. What a beautiful tour, as always! The chairs threw me a little bit thought....I expected pews!

    -andi

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  15. What an amazing cathedral! Reminds me of our trip to Spain last year and the cathedral in Santiago. You got some fabulous photos and I love the blooming flowers!
    hugs,
    Jann

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  16. Oh what a beautiful cathedrale - thanks so much for this amazing tour. I am afraid this is the only way I will be able to see France. Thank you so much.
    Mary

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  17. They certainly don't build them like this anymore. I have a weakness for stained glass. It's a medium I've worked with and I know how much work goes into creating windows like this. It's truly amazing!

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  18. Dear Magali,
    most impressing and beautiful! Those windows and that very special ceiling... Thanks for sharing. To answer your question: Yes it is a large ceramic stove, we bought it as mutual wedding-present and even moved it to our house when we changed from our first flat to this place.
    I am looking forward to your next post, you have very fine way of taking photos of architecture...
    Yours, Sarah

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  19. Just beautiful! Can you imagine being entombed there? The stained glass is amazing! And, when I visit, let's remember to avoid that restaurant. I know it's not about WWI but we just watched a movie called Monuments Men, it's about WWII, and it was very good. You should check it out.

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  20. YOu take the most amazing photos Magali - just gorgeous -
    When I visit I'll come by your place for tea and madeleines, ok?
    My heart is very heavy today ( it always is on the 11th but this year even more so because of Ottawa )
    Much love,
    XOX

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  21. A beautiful and magical Cathedral. I love the stained glass, the tombs, the architecture... just breathtaking. Thank you for such a lovely tour x

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  22. Magali, I do love your road trips!! Beautiful!
    Sherry

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  23. The old cathedrals of Europe are amazing to me. Built during a time when machines as we know them now were not even thought of. Strong talented men with long lost skills and talents. Awesome:)
    Thank you for sharing your trip with us.
    Connie :)

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  24. Obviously we're sharing the unseasonably mild weather, I actually wore shorts at work a couple of weeks ago because I was so hot in the kitchen. The size of the cathedral in such a small town is quite incredible, love that painted ceiling.

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  25. I would always choose to visit a cathedral. That is so beautiful! Congratulations on your long, warm summer. We already have January winter here!

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  26. such beautiful craftsmanship in these old cathedrals. We enjoyed visiting various cathedrals when we visited France about 9 years ago. Thankyou for taking us there to see this one. Have a lovely week. I am joining you over at Ivy and Elephants.

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    1. I'm glad this little tour reminded you of happy memories. Thank you so much for visiting.

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  27. Fabulous tour, fabulous pictures. I'm afraid I had never heard of St Yves... and wonderful to finish with a very pleasant song brightening up a slightly drab Yorkshire morning!

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  28. A beautiful cathedral and a beautiful song. Thank you for sharing both, Magali. The cathedral's stained glass is gorgeous. So amazing that the little window has survived since the 15th century. xxx ~ Nancy

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  29. It's amazing! I know you have said you are not a big eater, that must of been terrible for you to complain. xoxo

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  30. Thank you for taking us on a tour of this beautiful place, and thank you for sharing at Vintage Inspiration Party.

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  31. Such beautiful architecture. Despite the fact that the stained glass is not original, except for that one area, it is so very pretty. I love studying the scenes, the faces and the meaning. Thank you for this wonderful tour of Tréguier's Cathedral.

    Happy weekend!

    Poppy

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  32. I'm always happy to tag along with you when you take us on your tours. Beautiful architecture, and the photo of the large stained glass window is beautiful!

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