DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.29899#0109
Bk. III. Ch. IV.
AUVERGNE.
CHAPTER IY.
AUVERGNE.
CONTENTS. .
Cliurch at Issoire—Clermont—Fortified Church at Royat.
The last of the Southern provinces which requires to be distinguishecl
is that of Auvergne, one of the most beautiful as well as one of the
most complete of the round Gothic styles of France. The country in
which it is found is as distinctly marked out as the style, for no
naturalist can cross the frontier of the territory without at once being
struck by the strange character of its scenery. It is a purely volcanic
country, to which the recently extinguished craters impart a character
not found in any other province of France. Whether its inhabitants
are of a different race from their neighbours has
not yet been investigated. At all events, they
retain their original characteristics less changed
than any other people inhabiting the South of
France. Their style of architecture is distinct,
and early reached a degree of perfection which
no other in France had then attained ; it has,
moreover, a greater resemblance than we have
hitherto found in Erance to the Lombard and
Rhenish styles of architecture. The other styles
of Southern France—whatever their beauties
may be—certainly never reached that degree of
independent completeness which enables us to
class that of Auvergne among the perfected styles
of Europe.
In the department of Puy de Dome there are
at least four churches of the typical form of this
style, which have been edited by M. Mallay —• those of Issoire, of
N. D. du Port at Clermont, of Orcival, and of St. Nectaire—which
only differ from one another in size, and in the arrangement of their
apsidal chapels. That of Issoire has a square central chapel inserted,
which is wanting at Clermont and Orcival, while St. Nectaire lias only
three instead of four apsidal chapels.
. Church at Issoire.
(Frora Mallay.)
Scale 100 ft. to 1 in.
AUVERGNE.
CHAPTER IY.
AUVERGNE.
CONTENTS. .
Cliurch at Issoire—Clermont—Fortified Church at Royat.
The last of the Southern provinces which requires to be distinguishecl
is that of Auvergne, one of the most beautiful as well as one of the
most complete of the round Gothic styles of France. The country in
which it is found is as distinctly marked out as the style, for no
naturalist can cross the frontier of the territory without at once being
struck by the strange character of its scenery. It is a purely volcanic
country, to which the recently extinguished craters impart a character
not found in any other province of France. Whether its inhabitants
are of a different race from their neighbours has
not yet been investigated. At all events, they
retain their original characteristics less changed
than any other people inhabiting the South of
France. Their style of architecture is distinct,
and early reached a degree of perfection which
no other in France had then attained ; it has,
moreover, a greater resemblance than we have
hitherto found in Erance to the Lombard and
Rhenish styles of architecture. The other styles
of Southern France—whatever their beauties
may be—certainly never reached that degree of
independent completeness which enables us to
class that of Auvergne among the perfected styles
of Europe.
In the department of Puy de Dome there are
at least four churches of the typical form of this
style, which have been edited by M. Mallay —• those of Issoire, of
N. D. du Port at Clermont, of Orcival, and of St. Nectaire—which
only differ from one another in size, and in the arrangement of their
apsidal chapels. That of Issoire has a square central chapel inserted,
which is wanting at Clermont and Orcival, while St. Nectaire lias only
three instead of four apsidal chapels.
. Church at Issoire.
(Frora Mallay.)
Scale 100 ft. to 1 in.