Churches, Beaune

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The church Notre Dame was built in the 12th century, but several parts were rebuilt in the 14th century. In the chancel, there’s a an exhibition of tapestry, separated from the rest of the chancel by big draperies. The signs there were quite contradictory, so I’m not sure if it would be free or if there’s an admission. In any case it was closed, but you could peek into it from the entrance.

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wonderful church, and with all the hospices and wine often overlook,but its a jewel not to be missed in town.
Done from the 12C, one of the last Roman churches built,cost admission about 3,50€

an interesting visit indeed, that will make Beaune a place to come back. We go in the area often and rent a gite than drive into the city, wonderful times since my boys were enfants lol!

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Choir hanging of the life of the Virgin

The works of art inside the church Notre Dame are mainly 15th century. One admires the frescos, the statues, and the famous tapestries recalling the life of the Virgin. It is a whole of five tapestries called “Hanging of the life of the Virgin” hung in the choir of the church. The hanging comprises nineteen scenes evoking the birth and the childhood of the Virgin, the birth and the childhood of Christ and the crowning of the Virgin. The unit, of an exceptional quality and a great freshness of colour, was classified Historic monument in 1891.

The models were carried out about 1475 per Pierre Spicre painter in Dijon at the request of the canons of the church and remained without continuation during 25 years.
In 1500 the archdeacon Hugues le Coq sent the fabric models to the North where the hangings were probably woven in Flandres.
It was usual at the time that the project and the models were carried out near the destination and then woven in Flandres, Brabant or Hainaut (Tournai).

Open: 9h30 - 12h30 and 14h - 17h from Monday till Saturday (later in summer)
13h - 17h Sundays and feast days
Free.

Les œuvres d'art à l'intérieur de la collégiale Notre Dame sont principalement du 15e siècle. On admire les fresques, les statues, et les célèbres tapisseries retraçant la vie de la Vierge. C'est un ensemble de cinq tapisseries appelé "Tenture de la vie de la Vierge" pendues dans le chœur de l'église. La tenture comporte dix-neuf tableaux évoquant la naissance et l’enfance de la Vierge, la naissance et l’enfance du Christ et le couronnement de la Vierge. L’ensemble, d’une exceptionnelle qualité et d’une grande fraîcheur de coloris, a été classé Monument Historique en 1891.

Les modèles furent réalisés vers 1475 par Pierre Spicre peintre à Dijon à la demande des chanoines de l'église et restèrent sans suite pendant 25 ans.
En 1500 l'archidiacre Hugues le Coq envoya les patrons de toile dans le Nord où les tentures furent tissées probablement dans les Flandres.
C'était chose habituelle à l'époque que le projet et les modèles étaient réalisés à proximité du lieu de destination et ensuite tissés en Flandres, Brabant ou Hainaut (Tournai).

The basilica Notre Dame of Beaune built in the 12th century by the bishop Etienne de Bagé, one of the largest Romanesque churches of Burgundy, was built on the model of the abbey of Cluny and the cathedral of Autun. However the frontage with its two bell-towers and a porch built at the 14th century masks the Romanesque original style.
I preferred the back part of the church whose architecture is in my opinion nicer with the radiating chapels and the beautiful chevet.

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La basilique Notre Dame de Beaune construite au 12e siècle par l'évêque Etienne de Bagé est l'une des plus grandes églises romanes de la Bourgogne, construit sur le modèle de l'abbatiale de Cluny et de la cathédrale d’Autun. Cependant la façade avant avec ses deux clochers et un porche construit en gothique au 14e siècle masque le caractère roman d'origine. J'ai préféré la partie arrière de l'église d'une architecture à mon avis plus belle avec les chapelles rayonnantes et le beau chevet.

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This is a continuation of my other tip about the church, as I had too many other photos I wanted to post. Unfortunately these couple photos of the Tapestries of the story of Mary, do not do them justice. Woven in Flanders in 1500, they hang at eye level and are very very beautiful.

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It has recently been raised to the rank of 'basilica'; and has been constantly altered and embellished since 1120. It contains both Romanesque and Gothic elements, with a huge vestibule and high nave.
Additional to the fabulous architecture are the long tapestries hanging at eye level, telling Mary's story; woven in Flanders in 1500!

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The chancel has attractions other than the tapestries. The tall narrow ambulatory columns have been rebuilt upon the old ones and some of the figurated capitals survive, find them. There is a blind triforium and nice old stained glass in the clerestory. See the fine candlesticks on the altar and the ancient lecturn with an ancient volume of musical-liturgy.

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A beautiful characteristic of Romanesque churches is the "cascade effect" produced by the sequence of crossing tower, ambulatory roof and radiating chapels. Such an effect is visible at Notre-Dame which is the last of the Romanesque Cluniac-style churches in Burgundy. The church was started in the 12C but a fire in 1275 produced much damage in the east end the rebuilding of the apse introduced flying buttreses and other Gothic elements. Nevertheless, it is still an enchanting sight.

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The church has a splendid series of tapestries created for the Cardinal Jean Rolin (a later relative of Chancellor Nicolas) who provided guidance for a local artist, Pierre Spicre, in producing the cartoons which were woven in wool and silk at Tournai in 1474. The subject is the "Life of Mary" (including the childhood of Jesus) in five double-panel tapestries with a portrait of the donor at the right. The stories are easily read. Note the fine surrounds which tie them together (this is one of the first "series tapestries"). The colors in our pictures are dull because the church is quite dark and there was a heavy downpour outside at the time. (A clearer picture for color is in a mikebond Tip in this section). Maybe someone could produce better ones. The tapestries are hung in the chancel over the ambulatory curve.

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An example of Burgundian Romanesque architecture from the 12th Century, also housing some fine 15th Century Flemish tapestries telling the story of the Virgin Mary.

Free entry and as soon as you step in you are hit by the huge stained glass windows, the feeling of space and quiet contemplation.