Candes Saint-Martin, my favourite spot in La Touraine.

Sunday 15 July 2012

Candes Saint Martin – 2


Being ‘Un des Plus Beau Villages the France’, Candes Saint Martin offers some very photogenic features. In fact; almost everything is worth pointing one’s camera at. The main point of interest is of course the church. It was built on the spot where Martin of Tours, a.k.a. Saint Martin died at the end of the 4th century.

If you look closely at the clock, you'll notice that it was almost noon
and we were getting hungry ...
He isn’t buried here, but in the Saint Martin Basilica in Tours. However, a large slab stone marks the spot where the man died. I tried to shoot a photo of the stone, but the light in the side chapel of the church is too poor to get a good result with a pocket-size camera. If you want to see it, I can only advice you to go and see for yourself and take in some more of the views.
I wonder whether somebody is actually living on that boat.
When we were there, it looked quite deserted.

'On dirait le sud ...'

The flood marker from 1923 came has high as the second
level on the rack along the left wall. Can you imagine the damage
the water must have done in these narrow gravel streets and inside
the houses.

Each time I see this entrance, I want to go in and find out
what lies behind this lovely patio.

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6 comments:

Budi Bali said...

Beautiful house... who has lives there must be a rich man

Carolyn said...

It's such a pretty little town. Sad to think that it was flooded so badly. Could it happen again?

Louise said...

What a delightful place. Thanks for the super photos Martine. Louise

Niall & Antoinette said...

Lovely photo of the church! Agree it is a super little place to visit.

Bob said...

based on the photos, looks like a great place to visit. maybe one day i will have an opportunity. as for the boat house, it doesn't look in good shape, but it must be used like on weekends for boating and fishing on the river. i think it has seen better days.

ladybird said...

BB, I have no idea. :)

Carolyn, I hope not. It would be such a shame. The most recent marker was from the 70ties.

Louise, Candes is a mandatory stop each time I'm in the Loire Valley. If I haven't been in Candes, my trip is not complete.

N&A, The detail of the church is stunning. It looks even better on a photo than it does in real life.

Bob, I guess you are right about the boat and hope that you'll get the chance to visit Candes one day. It's one of those villages that take you back in time.