Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 1.djvu/359

Rh developed until after the expulsion of the English from France, or towards the middle of the fifteenth century. In the state of comparative peace which ensued, the nation became wealthy; noble patrons and founders again enriched the Church; and Architecture took a new spring. As is well known, it is not in Paris that the great examples of this style are to be sought: they must be looked for in the provincial cities. Notwithstanding, Paris has several good edifices in this style, although of comparatively small size: and of these one of the best is the

. This building stands on the site of a chapel founded as early as the seventh century: but the only portion anterior to the thirteenth century is the tower, which is of the Romane style, probably of the eleventh century, and which is placed at the south-east junction of the south transept and choir. The western portal is of the thirteenth century, and still retains the figures of saints with which it was originally ornamented: the rest of the edifice is entirely of the fifteenth century. The church is cruciform, with side aisles and a polygonal apse: there is a lofty clerestory, but no triforium: elaborate wheel-windows at the ends of the nave and transepts, and a porch, with rooms in the upper story, covering the western end of the nave. The portals of the transepts are lofty, wide, and profusely decorated with niches in their mouldings. The aisles are accompanied by a complete series of chapels, some of which contain remarkable monuments and altar-frames. Some buildings of the seventeenth century, adjoining the western end of the nave, have been taken down during a complete reparation and restoration of the church, which has lately been effected under the superintendance of M. Lassus. The choir is not yet restored, but the building, as it now stands, is one of the most valuable, in an architectural point of view, which Paris possesses. It is needless to do more than allude to the historical associations connected with the name of this church. No portions remain of its cloister and the schools once dependent on it.

, (as it is usually called,) is another excellent example of the flamboyant style. In plan it is similar to St. Germain l'Auxerrois, but it is smaller in dimensions. The character of the tracery is good, and the western front, above which the tower rises, possesses