The weather is currently warm and sunny, and although we’re no longer having to escape from the afternoon heat, we can’t seem to get out of the habit of visiting churches. This one was just a little bit different though.
The abbey of Notre Dame de Randol is a stunning piece of modernist architecture, hidden away up in the hills of the Puy-de-Dôme department. It is a Benedictine monastery, consecrated in 1971. We’ve been meaning to visit for a while, but as it is set amidst wooded hillsides, we decided to wait until the leaves had started to turn. We were well rewarded for our patience, with a day of blue skies and low, mellow autumn light.
The interior of the church is in a similar modern style, and I was particularly taken with the stained glass panels.
We’re making the most of these mild, sunny days, as the weather looks set to take a turn for the cooler later this week. There has even been talk of (whisper it quietly) snow.
That’s an unexpected edifice! I rather like it and the windows are very reminiscent of the church in Saint Die (88) – a town entirely rebuilt after the war. Snow! Hurrah …. except I’m not there so Boo!