Beautiful French Churches

Notre Dame de Thoumeyragues

I passed this church on the way to visiting the wine co-operative and knew I had to back for a closer look.  I packed my camera, pencil and drawing pad, and set off by myself for a couple (or three) hours, leaving Alan in the garden with a cold beer (or was it a red wine?!).

I am not sure why this church caught my eye.  I had first seen it on a beautifully sunny day, from some distance.  I think the setting, amidst the vines, was just so peaceful.  It dates from the 12th century.  It was partially destroyed in the wars of religion and during the French revolution.  

This photo is taken in the small lane between the church and a house.  The photo doesn't really show how lovely this view was.  I could have sat and stared down the lane forever, it was full of promise.  Don't ask me why.  This is the second time I have visited a churchyard and thought, this is where I would like to be buried.

A tractor on the way back from the wine co-operative.  I'm standing in the field next to some vines.  The house is the one in the photo above.

Taken from the edge of the vines opposite the church.

I sat in the car, which was parked up on the grass next to the church.  I opened the door and sat there in the sun, which luckily wasn't too hot and attempted to draw this picture.  I suddenly realised that it was about 7pm and that Alan must have been wondering where on earth I was.  As it happened, he was enjoying the garden at home.  I don't think he even missed me!

St Jean Evangeliste

 I kept passing this church, from a distance, so decidede that we should go and explore it.

I thought the iron crosses were quite interesting.  I hadn't particularly noticed these crosses until I visited the churches in this post.

 The base of the giant iron cross.  Dated 1862.

 It looks as though someone has taken pot shots at the rooster!

 A typical grave in a French cemetery.  Visitors leave these plaques.

Often the plaques indicate something about the buried person.  in this case, if you look to the second down from the right, you will see that this man was likely to have been a farmer.  There were lots featuring hunting scenes also.  I guess everyone is a huntsman in these areas.

Saint Astier
Unfortunately, on the day I took these pictures I couldn't get near enough to the church to find out its name, but it is in Saint Astier.