Choir Stalls

It may be clear by now that I have a passion for choir stalls. On a short trip in France (Burgundy), we explored Montréal, a well preserved jewel of a town, small, gated and walled. In spite of the rain it looked very attractive. Or perhaps because of the rain, for hardly any people – tourists – were around so that we could soak up the atmosphere of the place. The church is situated at the top of the village. Inside we discovered the most beautifully carved choir stalls. Perhaps they are well-known. The advantage of not reading a guidebook beforehand and just getting out of the car when a place looks interesting is that it is as if one is the first person to discover those delights, and one can be one's very own Livingstone.

 The three kings bringing gifts

John baptising Jesus in the river Jordan 

Mary and Elizabeth

Two drinking men, carved in wood and as a pub sign

At the end of the stalls scenes from the Bible are carved in great detail. The holy family in a very homely setting with Mary doing some household chores while the child Jesus looks on, and Joseph looking down on the scene from his workbench. The meeting of Elizabeth and Mary, Elizabeth greeting the child that is to be born by tenderly touching Mary's stomach. On top of one of the stalls two men are drinking. A pub on the main road just outside the gate of this town has the same scene cut out in metal hanging over the entrance door. The church seems rather big for a town this size, and has splendid views over the undulating land. The church was built in the 12th century and combines roman and gothic elements. The intricately carved stalls date back to the 16th century. 

 Biblical scenes

The holy family, Mary, Joseph and Jesus and an angel 

Adam and Eve. On top Jesus is presented in the temple

And I have not even mentioned the misericords

 Detail of the base of one of the pillars 

 The main doors. Below: detail