Cluny

dscf4206 dscf4230We arrived in Cluny very late at night and not finding the camping park we spent the night in a car park near the centre. In the light of day we found the free camping park in the centre of the town under the dense shade of a row of plane trees. Being over 30c the cool shade was much appreciated. Cluny is the heart of Benedictine France (spilling into Spain). The Abbey, was built in the Romanesque style, with three churches built in succession from the 4th to the early 12th centuries. It was the world’s largest church until the construction of St Peter’s in Rome. The French Revolution put an end to monastic life at Cluny, plundering and devastation followed and eventually the Abbey was divided into lots and sold off. Today, little more than one of the original eight towers remains of the whole, and the south transept. Despite this the remains of the Abbey and surrounding buildings impressively dominate the town and a lot a walking was necessary to fully appreciate the magnificence of the architecture Cluny town is pretty and charming and staying in the centre meant we could enjoy the evening entertainments and cafes.

Categories: France

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