Painting with light ... sunlight filtered through modern stained glass windows projects colourful abstract shapes on the curving stone surface of medieval stone drum columns lining the nave of the Église Notre-Dame, the early 12th century former abbey church in the Loire Valley town of Beaugency in Loiret, Centre-Val de Loire, France.
Beaugency, Loiret, Centre-Val de Loire, France: afternoon sunshine filtering through vibrant modern stained glass windows beams abstract patches of soft colour on to the medieval drum columns lining the Romanesque nave of the Église Nôtre-Dame de Beaugency, the former Augustinian abbey church built beside the River Loire. The abbey may have been founded as early as the 6th century AD, although in its original form, it was probably no more than a chapel within the walls of the town's château, the fortress stronghold of the lords of Beaugency. Two important French historical events took place in the church: in 1104, the excommunication of King Philip I, and in 1152, the annulment of the marriage of King Louis VII to Eleanor of Aquitaine, which allowed her to marry Henri Plantagenet, the future King of England. The abbey was burnt down by Protestants in 1567 during the Wars of Religion, with only the abbot's house and an ancient tower left standing. The church was rebuilt from 1579 and it was also restored in the 17th century. The south aisle and stained glass were badly damaged during the 1939-45 Second World War and the present stained glass dates from the post-war period.
Size: 2467px × 3700px
Location: Beaugency, Loiret, Centre-Val de Loire, France.
Photo credit: © Terence Kerr / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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