Hollyhocks (Alcea or Althaea rosea) thrive in the maritime cemetery of the Église Sainte-Radegonde (Church of Saint Radegund) at Talmont-sur-Gironde, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France. The Romanesque church was foundedin the 1000s by Benedictine monks as a sanctuary for pilgrims following routes to the tomb of Saint James the Great at Santiago de Compostela in Spain. A profusion of hollyhocks lining the streets of this fortified settlement has helped earn Talmont its status as one of ‘Les Plus Beaux Villages de France’ (The Most Beautiful Villages of France).
Talmont-sur-Gironde, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France: colourful hollyhocks (Alcea or Althaea rosea) fill the maritime cemetery of the medieval Église Sainte-Radegonde (Church of Saint Radegund). The church was founded in the 11th century by Benedictine monks as a sanctuary for pilgrims following Way of Saint James routes to the tomb of apostle Saint James the Great in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. The church was built on a cliff beside the River Gironde estuary in the Romanesque architectural style. It is regarded as a superb example of the Romanesque saintongeais tradition found in the former provinces of Saintonge, Aunis and Angoumois about half-way down the French Atlantic coast. The profusion of hollyhocks lining the traffic-free streets of this small fortified settlement have helped earn Talmont its official status as one of ‘Les Plus Beaux Villages de France’ (The Most Beautiful Villages of France).
Size: 4256px × 2832px
Location: Talmont-sur-Gironde, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
Photo credit: © Terence Kerr / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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