Pietrina and Eve
Two of the world's great earth mothers, Eve and what's-her-name

Visited December 11, 1999

The Tau Palace

The archbishop's palace obscures the entire south wall of the cathedral as it runs the entire length. For you former (and perhaps continuing) students of Greek, the word is the Greek letter for "T." The palace has a T shape with a nice 13th century chapel sticking out at top so that it resembles from the air like a bishop's crozier.

The building is from the 17th century and designed by Mansart (or Mansard) of the Mansard roof fame The place was heavily damaged in the same 1914 shelling as the Cathedral. Restored, it now stores pieces of the cathedral that have been refurbished with a copy occupying its original slot on the cathedral next door.

Giant size

Many of these statues are huge, as you can see from the statue of a fully clothed Eve which towers over Pietrina at the top of this page and the picture below of the Salle du Goliath.

Room of big statues

You'll like this museum if you want to get close up to statues that medieval artists intended to be viewed from far away. Their craftsmanship generally holds up well to the scrutiny. Other rooms contain the tiles from the floor, often part of larger labyrinthine patterns which have since disappeared.

The place contains a few treasures from the coronations, primarily the last one of Charles X who was crowned in 1825 when the monarchy was briefly reinstated.

Restoration

Near the exit are photos of the cathedral before and during its 20th century restoration and actual gargoyles which appear to be filled with melted lead from the roofs while they burnt. When you look at the pictures, the deterioration of the cathedral doesn't look so bad.

Afterward we wandered through the Musée des Beaux-Arts in an old abbey near the Cathedral which contained some interesting Impressionist paintings.

What's left? A walk through the town dressed up in its Christmas best. Join us by clicking here.


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