Photo TidbitsPérigueux

By Jim and Emmy Humberd

The Byzantine designed St. Front Cathedral is reflected in the River Isle. It was built in the 1100s with five domes, just like St. Mark's, but without all the gold, tile, and artwork at Venice. This cathedral was refurbished, 800 years later, by Abadie, the architect who designed Sacré-Coeur in Paris.

We visited Vesunn's Tower (built by the Romans in the 100s AD), and the Roman Amphitheater, built in the 200s AD to hold 20,000 spectators. Not much remains, because by the 1400s the amphitheater had been turned into a quarry, its stones used to build many buildings nearby. One year the 'farmers' market had been open in the parking lot next to the Cathedral. By the time we returned from our walk they had closed the market, removed the tables and booths, swept the area, hosed it clean, and the parking lot was back in business.

Books by Jim and Emmy Humberd:
Invitation to France
Invitation to Germany
Invitation to Italy

Related Links:
St. Front at Perigueux