The Great Churches of the Auvergne!

Eglise St-Nectaire, constructed in 1160

The Auvergne Romanesque School of Architecture is considered one of the most unusual in the Western world with an apparent similarity and simplicity seen in every church.  The churches in Clermont-Ferrand (Notre-Dame-du-Port), Issoire, Orcival, St-Nectaire and St-Saturnin are some of the finest examples of the Romanesque style in which the beauty is both austere and logical.  The churches were built with an economic use of resources (volcanic lava stone) and give an impression of strength and unity in the design.  The layout of the churches slowly changed to meet the needs of the pilgrimages.  The first church to have an ambulatory and radiating chapels typical of the Auvergne School of Architecture was the one in Clermont-Ferrand, which was consecrated in AD 946.  Only the crypt remains today but the style continued to develop until it finally achieved perfection in the 12th century.

Abbatiale Saint-Autremoine,  12th Century

The exterior of the west front of the churches is remarkable for its bold flat facade and is topped with a central bell tower and two side towers.   This contrasts sharply with the east end which presents a magnificent view of radiating chapels of various levels.  The interior is stark with decorative features on the capitals and small windows built inside enormous load-bearing arches. The chancel inside the church, where the priest celebrates Mass, faces east towards Jerusalem in most of the churches.