Sunday, September 18, 2011

Église Saint-Aignan de Chartres - Illumination



Just outside of Paris is Église Saint-Aignan de Chartres, not nearly as well known as the Chartres Cathedral, but exquisite in detail and color.  Established in 400 AD, most of the building today dates from the Sixteenth Century. 

Bon Dimanche

35 comments:

Pat said...

Sorry I've been so absent...a lot going on. I enjoyed browsing back through your previous recent posts and I have never heard of this church!

Pet said...

It is extraordinary the number of beautiful churches in Paris!

Rob-bear said...

Ever the eye for detail, Genie, you've found yet another interesting view.
Bon dimanche.

Hana de Prague said...

Thank you for sharing this interesting photo, Genie! I have never been in Chartres and now I put it to my list of places to see next time I´m in France :-)
Bises de Prague Hana

Unknown said...

How many beautiful details in just one shot!

Paris Paul said...

Such an intricate and delicate chandelier merits real candles and the photograph you've taken of it.

M said...

Light of the world ... Magnifique! Lovely Sunday photo. I love the colors in the paint detail and, of course, all the golden intricate carvings are exquisite! I agree with Paul that this chandelier should have real candles. I am so glad we went to Chartres and that I can benefit from your keen eye for my memories! Bisous et bon dimanche!

Cezar and Léia said...

Beautiful picture dear Genie, this chandelier is precious!
bises et bon dimanche!
Léia

Grammy Goodwill said...

That is beautiful. I wish there were a "like" button on your comments. I feel like I say the same thing about every picture, while some of your readers write much better comments. I can only agree with them in my pedantic way. (I hope that's the correct use of that word.)

martinealison said...

Quelle belle pièce... Vraiment somptueux...
gros bisous et bon dimanche à vous ma chère.

Alexa said...

Clearly, the people who built these magnificent churches believed that "God is in the details." And you've captured some of those details SO well here!
Bon dimanche, Genie.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Ah now I'm happy!! It always amazes me when you say something like 'established in 400AD' I mean to say, how amazing is that. I love Perth dearly, but really miss not having tht history. This is a beautiful picture Genie, I can only imagine how old the chandelier is.

Halcyon said...

I love the details. You always find the best ones.

Malyss said...

Less known, but surely as beautyful, and more peaceful!
Yes,some buildings are opened ONLY during "patrimony days", that's why we always try to visit something.And that's why there are so much people waiting for visiting!

Virginia said...

I would love to see it lit at night. Lovely details.
V

Elisa said...

C´est formidable!
Amitiés
Elisa, en Argentine

Janey and Co. said...

Oh wow!

Sylvia K said...

So very beautiful and I do agree with the others, you have an incredible eye for the details and this is a perfect example! Would love to visit there. Hope you've had a lovely weekend, mon amie, and may you have great week ahead!

Hugs
Sylvia

Anonymous said...

Quel travail d'orfèvre, pour arriver à un tel résultat!

Clueless in Boston said...

Beautiful chandelier.

Starman said...

I agree with V, they look so much cooler when they're lit.

Anonymous said...

Genie,

I love this chandelier and just bet it is gorgeous when lit! A stunning photo!

Kris

Nathalie said...

C'est la fumée de l'encens qui met un peu de brume sur le côté gauche de la photo ? En tout cas c'est magnifique. Quelle richesse de couleurs, d'ornementation ! Belle composition aussi.

theconstantwalker said...

I have just discovered your wonderful blog and have had a lovely browse...many thanks for sharing.

Loree said...

Quite an ornate chandelier. They have similar ones here which they sue on special feast days.

Sérgio Pontes said...

I like this one

Jack said...

This is impressive itself, Genie, but now just think about all the other marvelous details in the building and its fixtures. Whenever I am in a cathedral like this, I am overwhelmed at the thought of all the work, the resources, the talent, the imagination, etc., that go into creating it.

Andrew said...

Beautiful. You're definitely seeing lots of cathedrals over there! Nice photos so far.

Randy said...

Beautiful but I would not want to be the one to clean it.

Julie said...

That is where I will go in May, Chatres as well as Fontainbleu.

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

After spending many hours at the famous Cathedral in Chartres, we decided to wander and see the other churches. This is an active church and it is in grave need of repair. The colors on the walls are astonishing with intricate design as you can see behind the candelabra. The work is ongoing.

I have found that you can never judge the beauty of a church from the outside. Certainly, the architecture of some are memorable (Notre Dame, Sacré Coeur, Église Madeleine). However, the ordinary in appearance, like this one, may cause your eyes to pop when you see the inside. Don't pass them by or you will miss something special.

Bises,
Genie

Unknown said...

Divine! I always think that God must have taken a very special care of Paris during the Second World War. London was absolutely destroyed but Paris preserved most of its original beauty...

Louis la Vache said...

Oh, wow!
Post more images of this, Genie!

EG CameraGirl said...

Wow! That's quite the chandelier!

Tammy@Beatrice Banks said...

Magnificient!