 Chalons-en-Champagne has many ancient "pans de bois" (pieces of wood) buildings -- what I used to call Tudor-style.
More pans de bois buildings on the Place de la Republique.
Garden wall, below, constructed in the pans de bois method.
The market hall has been recently restored. It dates back to 1882, and it a good example of metallic constructions of the late 19th century. |
The Office of Tourism (above) is appropriately housed in a fine pans de bois house, located on the canal Le Nau (below).
The center of town is now Place de la Republique (above). I don't think it is the oldest part, but it is old enough to have pans de bois houses
St. Jean is the oldest church in Chalons (above, and below). It dates back to the 11th century. The image of St. Jean in the window above is labeled, although you cannot see it here, with the more Germanic Saint Johanne -- testimony to the ever-moving boundaries. The nave, below, is the oldest part. Note the rounded arches and the definitely non-gothic construction -- characteristics that demonstrate the age of the structure. We think St. Jean is in the middle of the oldest part of Chalons, but that is no longer near the current center of town. We had quite a hike to get here, but we wanted to see this church because it is so old. Sorry about the darkness of the picture, but I will not use a flash in a church. I think it is too disruptive and disrespectful.
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