The town of Aire sur l'Adore is located next to the Adour River.
One of the most interesting carvings I have seen made out of an old tree.
The 11th century, La cathedral Saint Jean-Baptist was built during Roman times and was repeatedly burned and partially destroyed over the centuries. Fortunately, it was always rebuilt better than ever.
Look at the shell and the staff on the outside of the church--symbols of the Pélerins or pilgrims. This small town is very proud of its location on the Le Puy pilgrimage.
Dennis and I were stunned when we walked in. All of this design on the ceilings and up the columns is hand painted.
And like all French churches, it had beautiful stained glass windows.
One of the most interesting things in the church was this map showing where pilgrims from countries in Europe had walked from. Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Ireland and many more. Some individual trips are thousands of miles.
The ancient Carmel was founded by the Carmelites Nuns in 1853.
The inside was surprisingly plain. But then I don't think Nuns have the great wealth at their disposal that Priests do.
Again the beautiful windows.
What is different is that every stained glass window had women featured in it.
Painted on his bicycle was the word "quickie" So I guess he even makes house calls. Teehee.
This is the grain exchange built in 1856.
Such a beautiful tree dedicated to the veterans of WW 1.
According to legend, in the year 480, Quitterie, a Christian princess was beheaded because she refused to recant her Christain faith to marry an Arian prince. A fountain formed where her head touched the ground. This fountain has been a popular site for pilgrimages as it is considered a miraculous source for curing eye diseases, headaches, and epilepsy.
The Saint Quitterie church is a Unesco Heritage site. It was built in the 11th century by Benedictine Monks. It has a beautiful bell tower.
I loved the altar all around it was pink marble. It looked like a giant Cameo.
One of the small windows but I found the center to be unusual...almost cartoonish.
A large mural behind the altar.
Obviously a small prison cell. It was maybe eight by eight. Look at the leg irons hanging from the wall. I think some of our church going ancestors were a little more brutal than today's churches. I don't think we have ever even asked someone to leave at Christ Church United Methodist. And I am on the security committee where we talk about that sort of thing.
These are the Camino markers in the town. They are brass.
There are flowers everywhere.
Doing a little window shopping. I didn't buy anything. The French aren't always all about Church.
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