Very 'ordinary' stain-glass windows in Nevers Cathedral, France

@JudyEv (382664)

Rockingham, Australia

July 1, 2019 9:10am CST

While in France recently in a house-boat on the Canal Lateral a la Loire, we spent two nights in Nevers. The cathedral there, of Saint-Cyr-et-Sainte-Juliette, was built between the 11th and 16th centuries. During World War II, it was accidently bombed and severely damaged. Photos in the church show it without a roof and with all the stained glass windows shattered. During the restoration the decision was made to replace most of the stained glass with more modern patterns due to the cost. However, to me these appear very ‘ordinary’ and not really in keeping with such a beautiful old building. While they are colourful, the patterns are simple circles which do little to inspire admiration. Nearby is the former palace of the dukes of Nevers which now houses the law courts. Nevers is a very hilly town and it was good exercise walking up and down the streets.

16 people like this

16 responses

@andriaperry (118793)

• Anniston, Alabama

1 Jul 19

I see your point, however, its still pretty.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (382664)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Jul 19

I guess but not a patch on some we're seen.

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@HazySue (39265)

• Gouverneur, New York

1 Jul 19

What a shame that the original antique stained glass windows were destroyed. Still, the windows may be plainer but they are pretty.

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@JudyEv (382664)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Jul 19

There were photos there of the damage that was sustained during the bombing. The building looked to be completely wrecked.

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@HazySue (39265)

• Gouverneur, New York

3 Jul 19

@JudyEv It must have been beautiful in it's time.

@smileyhema (4463)

• United States

2 Jul 19

That's bad that it got damaged. They must have preferred to have old patterns to match the existing one.

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@smileyhema (4463)

• United States

2 Jul 19

@JudyEv Right! That's really surprising. I was wondering, destruction thoughts in mind has exploited a beautiful building like this. I'm sure it would have taken a good time for planning up this building and constructing the same. We need peace!!

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@JudyEv (382664)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Jul 19

@smileyhema We do indeed but it seems to be as far away as ever.

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@JudyEv (382664)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Jul 19

I'm a bit surprised that the cathedral was restored as there was a lot of damage to it.

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@Janet357 (75638)

•

1 Jul 19

you are right. just simple a simple design.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (382664)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Jul 19

I thought it was a shame for such a lovely cathedral.

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@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

1 Jul 19

Too bad they were replaced but beautiful.

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@JudyEv (382664)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Jul 19

I was stunned by the fact that it was bombed by accident!! How awful.

@DocAndersen (54399)

• United States

1 Jul 19

what a majestic picture of the windows. so beautiful!

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@JudyEv (382664)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Jul 19

I didn't like them much. As I said, I thought they were pretty ordinary. But to each his own.

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@JudyEv (382664)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Jul 19

@DocAndersen These were just coloured circles so didn't appeal to me much.

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@DocAndersen (54399)

• United States

2 Jul 19

@JudyEv my wife and I walked around Notre Dame many years ago. We fell in love with the stained glass windows. We were happy to see they survived. But, to each his own!

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@bunnybon7 (50970)

• Holiday, Florida

1 Jul 19

very sad how much beauty and art that war destroys and takes away so much from us.

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@JudyEv (382664)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Jul 19

Yes, so many beautiful things have perished through wars.

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@allknowing (153529)

• India

2 Jul 19

As a part of the package we were taken to many of these structures. The churches in particular have the most exotic architecture.

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@allknowing (153529)

• India

2 Jul 19

@JudyEv And they are centuries old.

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@JudyEv (382664)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Jul 19

Some are more beautiful than others, aren't they?

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Arthur Chappell

@arthurchappell (44941)

• Preston, England

1 Jul 19

Still quite attractive glass

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Arthur Chappell

@arthurchappell (44941)

• Preston, England

2 Jul 19

@JudyEv the originals were undoubtedly much better. It would be great if they tried recreating those

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@JudyEv (382664)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Jul 19

I suppose so but I wasn't too impressed. I'm getting fussy in my old age.

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@wolfgirl569 (136063)

• Marion, Ohio

1 Jul 19

It is pretty anyways

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@JudyEv (382664)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Jul 19

I suppose so but I didn't like them much.

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crazyhorseladycx

@crazyhorseladycx (39503)

• United States

1 Jul 19

'tis a shame they'd no wish ('r fundin', i'd presume) to've those windows wonderfully restored to their prior beauty. sadly, with wartime, there'd be nothin' safe. i bet 'twas quite the workout! i'd prolly not've survived those hills, lol.

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crazyhorseladycx

@crazyhorseladycx (39503)

• United States

2 Jul 19

@JudyEv i live'n flat lands here 'n when i used to go home'n see my dad, the terrain 'twas a great reminder that e'en though i 'twas'n great shape, i'd lil muscles'n my legs that 'pparently needed some work, lol.

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@JudyEv (382664)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Jul 19

The hills were quite taxing and one of our party found them quite tough indeed.

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@DianneN (254926)

• United States

1 Jul 19

Too bad cost was a factor. The stained glass in Europe is the most beautiful works of art we have seen.

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@JudyEv (382664)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Jul 19

Saint Chappelle which is near Notre Dame had very beautiful stained glass.

@Ronrybs (21492)

• London, England

1 Jul 19

I like visiting churches and looking at the stained glass. Some of them have quite modern works of art

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@JudyEv (382664)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Jul 19

We saw some very beautiful stained glass in Saint Chapelle near Notre Dame. Much prettier than this.

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@FayeHazel (40230)

• United States

1 Jul 19

Lovely though.... I wonder what the original ones were like

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@JudyEv (382664)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Jul 19

Prettier than these I reckon.

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@JohnRoberts (109841)

• Los Angeles, California

1 Jul 19

They are still lovely.

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@JudyEv (382664)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Jul 19

I suppose so but we saw much better ones. I think I'm getting old and fussy.

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Keith Henthorne

@Scrapper88 (5980)

• United States

1 Jul 19

I wish they would have restored the old windows. I like the older stained glass windows better.

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@JudyEv (382664)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Jul 19

I do too. I wasn't very impressed with these.