Aerial; lac du der, 2013Who would have thought that nestled in the south of the Lac du Der are fifteen villages with heritage treasures, some of which are over 400 years old. In the midst of this peaceful countryside, you’ll find some unusual churches that are sure to please the eye of any passer-by or visitor. Don’t hesitate to push open their doors – they’re all open!
Wooden Church Lentils
Baillye-le-Franc churchThese buildings can be appreciated from the outside as well as the inside. In fact, we invite you to step inside and soak up the mystical yet raw atmosphere. Raw, because the distinctive feature of these churches is their choice of materials.Wood predominates, and what could be more impressive than to see these massive beams and frameworks supporting these places for so many years?
The scent of aged oak will undoubtedly flirt with your nostrils, bringing back memories hidden here and there in your mind like a Proust madeleine. In the end, the most astonishing thing is undoubtedly these picturesque settings, which do not overshadow the religious and cultic function of the premises.
Outines Church
Outines Church
Church of Sainte-Marie-du-Lac-Nuisement
Châtillon-sur-Broué church
Bailly Le Franc church 3There’s no question of wood here. Stone is the primary material. Nevertheless, it’s a fine example of precision craftsmanship: the art of stained glass.
This is exactly what catches our eye when we enter the premises, some of which date back to the 16th century! You could almost lose yourself in the continuous observation of these noble works of stained glass artisans, noting every detail. The gleaming colors never cease to sparkle. The photographer’s eye will also be drawn to immortalize this heritage and let itself be surprised by this fun exercise full of contrasts.
Stained glass from the 16th century
Stained glass - 16th c.Association of Friends of Outines and its Church
Jmr Photo“Choosing the Itinéraire des églises à pans de bois means offering visitors the chance to discover the Pays du Der in a different way, notably through the richness of the architecture found in the churches, but also in the houses, square-courtyard farmhouses, dovecotes and barns that make up this original group of timber-framed buildings.
It also recognizes the expertise of the Maîtres Verriers de Troyes, who in the 16th century created most of the stained glass windows on display.
“It was above all a question of available materials, cost and speed of construction. Indeed, most houses were timber-framed, the only resource available in the Der region being oak (Dervos in the Celtic language), so when it came to building “imposing” edifices like churches, the main reason for using timber-framing was a question of economy and speed of erection.”
“Some historians suggest that these were temporary constructions, as in Vitry-le-François, where the church was first built in timber-frame before being replaced by the current church, or in other villages where the population has always opposed its replacement, as here in Outines. However, it is now recognized that some of these churches were not considered temporary buildings when they were built, but that timber-framing was used for aesthetic purposes and with a view to long-term use.”
In timber-frame architecture, the timbers form the structure of the building. They can be hidden or visible, both on the facade and inside. These timber-framed structures are often filled with cob for thermal insulation. Timber-frame construction offers many advantages. Modular and transformable, structures can be easily dismantled and reassembled.
