We're now on the last part of our trip moving slowly northward, and our first stop was this lovely lake.
We spent a couple of days just chilling out, enjoying the luxury of electric hook up and internet access, which was on offer at the lakeside tourist information office. While we were there I came across a flyer for the work of this amazing Russian born artist Nicolai Greschny. Fortunately for us one if the churches he had decorated with his work was on our route.
This was the scene that met our eyes on entering Notre Dame d'Alban. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up as I looked around at the spectacle. Every surface was coverd with his beautiful paintings.
Here are just a couple of the shots I took.
Our next stop was one of France's most spectacular treasures, Conques, not only does it have an amazing Abbey but the architecture of some of the other buildings is stunning.
The Abbey interior was pretty spectacular too.
I was trying to sketch these arches when I was lucky enough to hear someone practicing a piece on the organ. The sound was incredible.
This is probably the Abbyey's most famous attribute and is part of a frieze over the main door. It depicts the Last Jugement.
We have now returned to one of our favourite towns, Martel, more churches, more sketching and collecting walnuts, plus their soft outer shells for winter dyeing on the wood burner :-)
2 comments:
What a wonderful trip you are having. Beautiful scenery and buildings - the paintings in that church are stunning. What are you going to dye with the walnut outer skins? I love natural dyeing and really must do some more one day. I still have my college notes and books on the subject - no excuse not to use them.
What a fantastic church in Alban Tarn. Just been looking it up online, and found it, not far from Toulouse. Definitely one to visit! Thanks for recommending it.
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