DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.25500#0185
FRENCH ROMANESQUE.
12 I
3. EXAMPLES.
France exhibits several varieties of the Romanesque
style, in which different peculiarities are traceable. For this
reason it may be divided into provinces.
The influence of Roman remains was naturally greatest
in the parts where they more particularly occur, as at Nimes,
Arles, Orange, etc., in the Rhone Valley.
In Aquitania two distinct styles occur; the first is the
round-arched tunnel-vaulted style, of which St. Semin at
Toulouse is an example; and the second is a pointed-arched
dome-roofed style, peculiar to this province, and indicating
an eastern influence; as exemplified in St. Front, Peri-
gueux, which had a large trade with Byzantium. This
church may be described as a copy in stone of St. Mark’s,
Venice, but it must be remembered that the arches support-
ing the domes were pointed (they have in the last few
years been changed to semicircular). Attached to the
church is a magnificent campanile in stone, consisting of a
square shaft, surmounted by a circular ring of columns, carry-
ing a conical dome.
The plan of Angouleme Cathedral is of a different
type. The long aisleless nave has four stone domes supported
on pointed arches. The transepts are shallow, the choir is
apsidal. A splendid square tower, with many storeys of
arcaded openings, is attached to the north transept. The
smaller churches in this district followed this type, and are
full of interest.
In Auvergne the geological influence is frequently appa-
rent. It is a volcanic country; inlaid decoration is formed
with different coloured lavas, giving a local character to the
buildings, as at Notre Dame du Port, Clermont.
In Provence pointed tunnel vaults are used. There are
numerous remains of the eleventh and twelfth centuries, all
showing classical influence. The portal of S. Trophime at
Arles, and that of S. Gilles, exhibit great richness of effect
and beauty of detail. The cloisters specially require atten-
tion ; they consist of columns, used in couples in the depth
of the wall, and carrying semicircular arches. These arcades
12 I
3. EXAMPLES.
France exhibits several varieties of the Romanesque
style, in which different peculiarities are traceable. For this
reason it may be divided into provinces.
The influence of Roman remains was naturally greatest
in the parts where they more particularly occur, as at Nimes,
Arles, Orange, etc., in the Rhone Valley.
In Aquitania two distinct styles occur; the first is the
round-arched tunnel-vaulted style, of which St. Semin at
Toulouse is an example; and the second is a pointed-arched
dome-roofed style, peculiar to this province, and indicating
an eastern influence; as exemplified in St. Front, Peri-
gueux, which had a large trade with Byzantium. This
church may be described as a copy in stone of St. Mark’s,
Venice, but it must be remembered that the arches support-
ing the domes were pointed (they have in the last few
years been changed to semicircular). Attached to the
church is a magnificent campanile in stone, consisting of a
square shaft, surmounted by a circular ring of columns, carry-
ing a conical dome.
The plan of Angouleme Cathedral is of a different
type. The long aisleless nave has four stone domes supported
on pointed arches. The transepts are shallow, the choir is
apsidal. A splendid square tower, with many storeys of
arcaded openings, is attached to the north transept. The
smaller churches in this district followed this type, and are
full of interest.
In Auvergne the geological influence is frequently appa-
rent. It is a volcanic country; inlaid decoration is formed
with different coloured lavas, giving a local character to the
buildings, as at Notre Dame du Port, Clermont.
In Provence pointed tunnel vaults are used. There are
numerous remains of the eleventh and twelfth centuries, all
showing classical influence. The portal of S. Trophime at
Arles, and that of S. Gilles, exhibit great richness of effect
and beauty of detail. The cloisters specially require atten-
tion ; they consist of columns, used in couples in the depth
of the wall, and carrying semicircular arches. These arcades