Architecture
List
 
 
 
 

the Base

When Conques abbey received Perse monastery as donation in 1060, monks decided to entirely rebuild it because the monument was fallen in decay. In the XIth and XIIth centuries, builders of new church usually either destroyed being edifice to use the place again or built the new church further. In that case, the new church was built with a peculiar way.

We have none known explanation to the existence of that higher 4m base. Presence of rocks can't be used to justify problems to level, ground being made with sandstone very friable. That base surely contains either a crypt or previous church remains.

edifice is entirely built with red sandstone

the Plane

Classic latin cross plane before the XIV th century where 2 gothic chapels were addicted

Chapels

 1. St Eloi
 2. St Eutrope
 3. Ste Luce
 4. Ste Anne
 S. sacristy

 

list

the Choir
Choir begins with a triumphal arch supported by 2 capitals with sculptured personages. The bottom in an oven vault is reinforced with half-cylindrical arches to support roof of slates directly laid without framework. Choir wall is cut with 5 little arches, among 3 stained-glass windows and 2 blind windows. Choir entry is surmounted with an oculus (circular window).
the Stairs 
The main portal gives access to the nave by 8 steps stairs very cumbersome without any justification because there is another door on the same façade set to 20m which is at street-level.

According to XIXth century drawings of historical monuments service, an actually walled up door gave access to turning stairs. These stairs allowed reaching one or two superior stages above the transepts. But made them possible to reach inferior base?

list
the Church tower

If the church tower "à peigne" (like a comb) is very beautiful in absolute, however, like pictures show that, it clashes above a very elegant eastside of church. The early plan of edifice must be with another nice workmanship. Happened problems by Conques abbey, as well as the arrivals of monks in Aubrac, of Templar knights in Espalion and Cistercians monks in Bonneval probably modified the initial project.

list
the Funeral structures

Ossuary ?

In the right side of the portal, there is a gothic recess (of XVth century?) above an underground structure regarded as a tomb. But all the notches seem intended for receiving a cover. If that really is a funeral structure, it rather can be an ossuary or a deeper tomb. However there is no reason for the existence of a closed space between the base of the gothic recess and the cover of ossuary.

(in southern transept )

Adalgerius gravestone

list

Up