In Agde (a photo gallery)

October 30, 2022

It doesn’t take that long to polish off the meager breakfast we’re presented with at Hotel Adair, perhaps the most spartan petit dejeuner we’ve sat down to this autumn. Some will find this unfathomable, but it does make us long for the Full English treatment, sans the beans and black pudding.

With another short, relaxed ride ahead (we’re really getting into the rhythm of these - when needs all those hills, anyway?), there’s time for me to dash across the river to meander through Agde’s historical center before it’s time to start packing up.

Agde is a distinctive town, not really quite like any other I know of. It’s one of the oldest cities in France, preceded only by Beziers and Marseille. it was founded by the Greeks in 525 BC, its name evolved from the original Agathe Tyche, Greek for good fortune. What really distinguishes it for me though is that so much of its core, including its landmark 12th century Saint Stephen Cathedral, is built of black basalt from the remains of an ancient volcano the town is built upon.

It’s a pretty undisciplined collection, heavy on basalt-framed windows and doors and Sunday morning wash; but then I’m pretty undisciplined so perhaps that’s to be expected.

Saint Stephan cathedral. Romanesque, but not with a look like any other Romanesque structure I’m aware of.

Saint Stephan cathedral. Interesting to see basalt used as a sculpture medium.

The interior of the cathedral has a gloomy look.

The windows are especially striking, with their stark black frames. Wandering through town is like a stroll through an art gallery.

The House of the Consuls. Built in 1651 in the Italian Renaissance style.

I was curious about the story here, but not enough so to wait and see what came next.

Rue du 4 Septembre radiates off the Place de la République.

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Graham FinchYou saw some very nice windows there.
I knew you'd miss the Full English sooner or later.
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1 year ago

Scott AndersonTo Graham FinchSadly no interesting chairs or traffic cones, but probably too much to hope for. If I come across a basalt traffic cone you’ll be the first to know.
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1 year ago