Angers...

Okay, so another entry about our time in France... We spent several days in Paris, a week "down south" near Spain in the area of Carcassonne, and a day in Carnac near the Atlantic coast in Brittany - but I have to say, my favorite place in France was Angers. The cathedrals in town are almost as lovely as any we saw elsewhere from the same era. The gothic cathedrals of Orlean and Chartres were much more breath taking because of the construction methods used, but in Angers we visited two wonderful cathedrals. Saint Maurice was my favorite. Here in this gorgeous place I felt so much emotion. On the one hand I felt personally so close to God. The sense of awe and grandeur about the place, combined with the devotion of other Christ followers was evident. There was the the prayer labyrinth in the center of the floor where pilgrims would "walk" on their knees around a serious of concentric circles designed to clear the mind and focus it on spiritual things. There was the majestic HAND CARVED pulpit that was easily 12 feet high and probably 25 feet wide. (see the picture above) Up near the "altar" was the relic of Saint Maurice, a skull of a 20 year old boy martyred for his faith in the 1st century AD!! The conflict of emotion was that for all the beauty and majesty, so many here are still endeavoring to gain their place in heaven... I was compelled to sit a while and worship and pray for the people of France.

Throughout our time we visited the castles of Chenonceau, Chambord, Breze, Versaille to name a few but of for my money, the castle in Angers ranks near the top. It is impressive for its construction but also because of its extensive use of slate, setting it apart from almost every other chateau or castle we saw.

I also enjoyed the surrounding areas, Trelaze, and St. Barthelemy to name a couple. In Angers is where we had the opportunity to get to know people a bit too; Ally's parents and the Mumfords. It would certianly be there