Les Recollets

The Rebirth of European Sculpture Occurred Here

by hquittner

"Why We Visited Moissac"

When we planned our trip to the Dordogne, we decided to make our point of arrival as Bordeaux. Our studies indicated to us that we could easily stop at such an important place as Moissac. At the time, there was no nice place to overnight (no longer true), so we went on to Cahors. Our readings in Art told us that the rebirth of sculpture after the Dark Ages occurred here after 1000AD. Since we had become enamored of the Romanesque in Southern Burgendy and in and around Arles (and in Northern Spain), we could not wait. We were ready for Moissac.

"The City"

Even though it is the home of a great artistic period, Moissac is a pretty small modern city with little interest in the few tourists who come there. In France "the Moissac" is a table grape which is large, round-seeded, perfumed and sweet. Its production and sale is enormous accounting for the neatness of the town. Unfortunately we were there at the end of Spring and did not have the pleasure of eating them.