Images of Compiègne, volume 1

And without further ado, here are some pictures of Compiègne!  Because there are quite a few, I’ve attached them all as a gallery (if it worked).   I’m sure there will be more to come as I get to know the town better, but hopefully these pictures will help you build a mental image of my surroundings. Enjoy!

I pass this every day. Sadly, always on the opposite side of the street, so I’m not sure what it is supposed to commemorate.

A view of the palace from downtown, close to one of my schools

A view of the “palais” from the “centre-ville” side

Just some of the buildings around centre-ville

The “hotel de ville.” Kind of like old courthouses in GA, in that it sits in the very center square of downtown

A close up of the tower of the “hotel de ville.” Those 3 guys are famous figures in Compiègne. Called, “les trois Picantins,” they represent 3 enemies of France (at the time) and their names are: Flandrin (Flemish), Langlois (English) et Lansquenet (German). I haven’t figured out why they were taken as town mascots, but their bells toll the hour in the center of town.

Joan of Arc! According to history, she was captured in Compiègne (or close to it). Her statue is in a square in the center of town

The Cathedral in Compiègne. It is known for being the last Cathedral that Joan of Arc stopped/prayed in before she was captured

Saint Paul. He is inside one of the doors of the Cathedral

Saint Peter. Just inside the other inner door of the Cathedral

I’m not sure what this is called in English, but in French its “le choeur” of the cathedral. The altar is here. And, if I remember my cathedral architecture correclty, from here, the design of a cross branches out.

Another view of the “Choeur” from the back of the Cathedral

The photo is too far away to tell, but it lists the names of all of the “Compiègnois” who died in WW1 and WW2

a WW1 cemetery. Strangely, it is right across the street from one of my schools.

A nice house I passed while wandering around Compiègne

Another nice house. I really liked the garden in the frontyard, mostly for all the bright color.

I love all the ivy creeping up the side!!!

Someday, I will have flowerboxes in my own windowsills.

 

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