A pulpit in Fontenay le Comte, France
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (335364)
Rockingham, Australia
June 29, 2017 2:35pm CST
Yesterday we visited the town of Fontenay le Comte. As with most towns here in France some of the buildings were built in the 16th century. There is a cathedral, a castle and another tower built by a staunch freemason who wanted a tower to rival in height the spire of the cathedral.
The cathedral was very interesting and, from the inside of the church, we were able to go down some steps into a Roman crypt.
I always like the old-fashioned pulpits that you find in these places. Here, and I’ve seen similar in other places, the pulpit is resting on the back of a strongman. Perhaps it is Atlas.
I don’t think sermons are delivered from such places nowadays but I can just imagine a priest ranting and raving at his congregation from a position high above them.
And unfortunately the photo I wanted to put up won't stay right way up. This one doesn't show the ornate top of the pulpit. You might also notice the trumpet pipes on the organ.
15 people like this
16 responses
@JudyEv (335364)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Jun 17
We have been into a lot of churches on this trip.
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
29 Jun 17
oh my! such beautiful craftsmanship! don't see such these days. i bet that organ sounds divine echoin' through that space.
2 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
30 Jun 17
@JudyEv some jest blow yer minds, eh? the extravagance put forth, 't times such makes me sad 'though 'tis a beauty to behold. the craftsmanship 'tis truly somethin'!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (335364)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Jul 17
@crazyhorseladycx One abbey in Melk, Austria, was all gold. It seemed really over the top to me but of course at the time they would have said it was all for the glory of God.
1 person likes this
@pocabellla (112)
• Strasbourg, France
30 Jun 17
Gorgeous ! I live in France and I enjoy so much the old texture of its city ! Has so much soul and energy...
@JudyEv (335364)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Jul 17
@pocabellla Yes, it is a wonderful country for sure.
@pocabellla (112)
• Strasbourg, France
1 Jul 17
@JudyEv Well I think Australia is a fantastic place too, isn't it ?
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
29 Jun 17
Yes we have seen some amazing pulpits in Europe, we don't have anything nearly as awe-inspiring in the US.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
1 Jul 17
@JudyEv Yes they are, I love the history that Europe ahs to offer.
1 person likes this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
2 Jul 17
I love walking round old churches... some of thevgreat big chunks of wood they've used for the carvings are great.... 
1 person likes this
@xFiacre (12821)
• Ireland
30 Jun 17
@JudyEv Oh there's nothing like a generous glass of something red and deep from Bordeaux on a balmy evening while sitting under a lilac tree in a quiet square near the sea mistaking yourself for a romantic French poet about to head off to Vienna for a pastry or two.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (335364)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Jun 17
I'm glad you're enjoying our jaunt with us. But tonight we are in Bordeaux. The GPS was supposed to take us to the airport so we could suss out parking for the middle of August when we fly to Vienna for a few days but instead she took us into the very heart of the city. I am exhausted but Vince takes it all in his stride. We've been to the airport and now know where we have to go to get our van safely parked for the four days we'll be away. Hope you enjoy the south just as much.
But tonight we are in Bordeaux. The GPS was supposed to take us to the airport so we could suss out parking for the middle of August when we fly to Vienna for a few days but instead she took us into the very heart of the city. I am exhausted but Vince takes it all in his stride. We've been to the airport and now know where we have to go to get our van safely parked for the four days we'll be away. Hope you enjoy the south just as much.1 person likes this
@JudyEv (335364)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Jun 17
It is sideways now? I deleted my first one and put in a 'landscape' one. It should be right way up now.
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
8 Jul 17
I love to visit old churches. There is so much architecture to admire,. Sadly because of vandalism many churches are now closed apart from when there are services on!
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
9 Jul 17
@JudyEv Imagine long ago hell and brimstone preachers shouting and thumping from the pulpit for hours! Unthinkable these days !
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (335364)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Jul 17
@garymarsh6 If a sermon went for more than ten minutes in the church we used to attend, everyone would start looking at their watches. 
@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
29 Jun 17
It is astounding that such intricate built last forever architecture was constructed without modern technology, tools and machinery.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
29 Jun 17
The Tour de France starts this weekend (in Germany.) Are you guys going to be anywhere near it during your visit?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (335364)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Jul 17
@teamfreak16 I guess that's quite possible. There are very many bikes on the roads though not so many the last day or so.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
30 Jun 17
@JudyEv - I wonder if a stage is coming through. It's possible that that's advance notice.
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@JudyEv (335364)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Jun 17
The church is very, very old but I'm not sure of the exact age. We saw one today, part of which was built in the 12th century.
@LindaCPearson (2240)
• United States
29 Jun 17
The architecture in some of these old buildings is quite amazing and interesting, not always inviting though!
1 person likes this
