Church on Sunday...Poitiers cathedral.

On  the day we visited last Sunday's church of 'Notre-Dame-la-Grande' in Poitiers we headed on down the hill to the city's cathedral, Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Poitiers, an interesting mix of styles, including Romanesque and Gothic 

One of the first things you notice as you approach the main entrance is the mismatched towers. The fact that the cathedral was started in 1162 and took 200 years to complete might explain this. It is said that it was 'commissioned' by Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine on the site of an old Roman basilica.

The three heavily sculptured portals date from the second half of the 13th century.

The height and very long length of the nave give it a really airy,although empty, feel. 

You have to admire the skills of these early craftsmen. 

There are some beautiful stained glass windows from the 12th and 13th centuries throughout the cathedral.

Loved their carvings in the shape of a lectern...

  

a crowd scene,or perhaps for holding something up...

 and a chair back...now where did I leave that key? 

But sadly no Joan anywhere,even though it was here in Poitiers that she was interrogated before being allowed to lead the French army into battle. Her answers convinced them that she was being driven by divine guidance and not heresy! 

As you leave it is worth having another look up!

You can see much better photogarphs of the cathedral here