A Walk in Nantes: July 24, 2012

angel fresco in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, Nantes, France

Walking is something I do a lot of, wherever I may find myself. Not only does it get me where I need to go in a guilt free, non polluting manner, the route provides an endless stream of beautiful and fascinating things to observe and is a calming form of moving meditation. Whenever I feel agitated my daily walks pacify me and help to put my life in perspective. Most of all I love to share the things I observe along the way, mainly recording impressions through photos. 

On this particular sunny day in late July my first stop was the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, a small Gothic edifice tucked into a cobbled side street nearby. The interior provides views of  fresco fragments, decorative wall treatments in various states of decay, small carvings tucked up high in the arches and a glimpse down through a window in the floor to a late medieval tomb crypt.

late afternoon sun throws stained glass colours on the floor tiles

and on a rather graceless, over life size and badly eroded Virgin trampling a serpent underfoot

so many centuries of change have left their mark, however fragmented

carved wall panels with biblical scenes

a detail view of purgatory from a large painting

a fresco wall inscription

a carved stone figure curls in a corner, high up among the arches

a neglected side chapel with lovely, decaying decorative painting

chapel detail

 a memorial with winged vanitas skull

a niche behind the altar bears the scar of a sculpture base

close up of a stone dragon on high

another side chapel with lovely gold stars across the vault of blue "heaven"

the base of an ornately carved pulpit

votive plaques offered in gratitude for answered prayers

another empty sculpture niche among votive offerings

view of a side chapel and the main altar to the left

another memorial and reminder of mortality

on my way out I spotted this charming fox-like creature at the termination of an arch high on the wall

 on a back street--- for me this image tells a story that changes each time I look

I like to take a back route to the Jardin des Plantes and this flowered summer dress drying on a tiny balcony caught my eye...
Arriving at the Jardin was a complete change of gears--from frozen stone and death's heads to young animals and the warmth of hundreds of miniature suns sharing their bounty with a full court of bees in attendance...

coot chick

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

carnivorous pitcher plants in the afternoon sun

turtles soaking up the sun

a fairy waterfall in the Jardin des Plantes

Snow

Most of winter has managed to slip by with nary a shiver--the grass still green with small daisies peeking through-- more like a prolonged version of early spring that left me longing for the clear progression of the seasons and a landscape swathed in peaceful white. Then a few days ago the temperature dipped and finally last night the beautiful snow fell, transforming the world.These are scenes from my chilly but exhilarating neighbourhood walk this early afternoon.

 

Chateau of the Dukes of Bretagne (Brittany) under leaden skies

 

And with a simple turn my view changed to the cathedral rising misty and unfocused up from the snow filled oak park.

 

 Detail of a side entrance to Nantes Cathedral with its myriad of small narrative scenes

Some of the intricate lacework of carving that covers the cathedral facade

Cathedral gargoyle sporting a natural hairdo of fern against a clearing sky

Along one side of the cathedral an ancient gate to the medieval city

Detail of the gatehouse

Doorway to a medieval era courtyard

Beautifully patinated ancient hardware

Sculptures gazing out over the chateau

. Full view of the gatehouse--part of the ancient city wall

An anthropomorphic gargoyle hovers in the now sunny sky alongside the cathedral.

Nearby an angel unfurls a banner...

and an ancient annex reveals the many changes the centuries have made in its windows and doors.