On our last day in Poitiers, we visited the Cathedral there. Like all the other cathedrals it was big and beautiful. Dedicated to the holder of the keys, St Peter. There was a grand statue of him chilling out with some keys in the entry way.
Built in the 1100's on the grounds of a Roman basilica, it shows many Gothic and Romanesque styles with tall pointed arches and the flamboyant establishments. It was created by Henry II of England and his French wife Eleanor of Aquitaine.
Inside are all sorts of beautiful artifacts. The most interesting thing about them is that they weren't made originally for this cathedral. After the Huguenots destroyed a lot of the figures and relics during the revolution, an Archbishop decided that the remaining works of art would be distributed throughout the land to make sure that each cathedral had some sort of artwork in it.
The grounds were absolutely beautiful in the incredible sunlight that we had that day. Also, to my utter amazement, there was a science museum located on the church grounds. The French never cease to amaze me.
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