TUESDAY 25 SEPTEMBER

Today, was spent with a detailed tour of the ruins of Cluny Abbey. In its day it was one of the biggest churches. The film presentation was in 4D which was amazing and included a full reconstruction of the building. You felt that you were really walking down the aisles etc. The commentary was in French but I understood the main bits – I must be getting better at the lingo!

The Flour Store (Tour du Moulin)

The view from the Cheese Tower (Tour des Fromages)

South of Cluny is Berze-la-Ville . St Hugh of Cluny lived here towards the end of his life. The 12th century chapel of the priory was decorated with Romanesque frescoes. The ones in the chancel are well preserved. The Clunaic artists who worked at Berze were directed by Bendictine painers from Monte Casino in latium. It is a magnificent example of the art of Cluny.

View looking east down what would have been the nave of the abbey. The abbey was 581ft long. It consisted of a nave, four aisles, two transepts, five belfries, two towers, 301 windows and 225 decorated stalls.



View looking over Berze

WEDNESDAY 26 SEPTEMBER
Journeyed to Lyon airport to pick up Jeremy. The plane was on time and we were back home mid-afternoon. The weather has turned wet!

THURSDAY 27 SEPTEMBER
Weather still wet! This wasn’t meant to happen! Jeremy enjoying looking round the village whilst I get on with my work before nipping down to the village to get this on the internet and then setting off for Taize.