Tarascon Montmajour

The Prisoner 2 The Electors 44 The Inquisitor 45 Amnesty 46 Bloodbrothers 47 Betrayal 48

Tarascon was the location of: The Prisoner 2, Message from Geneva 43, The electors 44, Inquisitor 45 and Amnesty 46.

Tarascon is 'the water view' in episode the Prisoner when Tells jumps off the tower. This chateau lies next to the Rhone.

One thing did both castles (Epierre and Miolans) not have....water around it. Tarascon has, so they filmed Tell's escape from 3 towers! I never noticed it, until I made

this site, then you see it clearly. Anyway it's well done. I've put the photos of each castle below. Still episode 2 The Prisoner. Scene: when Tells jumps off the tower into the water.

The escape scene of episode (The prisoner) is divided into 3 castles: Miolans the prison, Epierre (the jump) and the water view Tarascon.

Above: Castle Miolans and below third castle: Epierre. Yanek Derrien did the jump off this tower (Epierre castle). He jumped into the boxes. One shot of Tarascon

Location: it can be everywhere but most likely: Hautecombe: they were filming there for episode 2, lake Bourget or the Rhone river next of Tarascon.

Never understood why they took such a close up from the front of Yannick Derrien. Everybody could see this is not Tell. Why not swim himself?

Why all of a sudden so far into the episodes and a different location? Because in this episode there's part of a location that is also shot in Tarascon.

Location: The plateau and the tower with the dovecote, Les Baux. Scene: Without knowing it, the Duke of Bern is in great danger. His vote could make a difference.

The scene is switching to the castle of Tarascon, still episode 44 The Electors

The canal is mainly dry nowadays. Tarascon has an impressive exterior. The Rhone side is amazing, but this side on the pictures is attached to a busy road. It has a turnabout in front.

Scene Electors: The duke of Westfalen arrives and he is not amused about their way of politics and wants a change. Gessler lies to assure him they're working on it by the election.

Above we have seen the arrival at the main gate. Here the Interal bridge to the gate (from 1 to 2). This gate at 2 to 5, is several times in Crossbow.

Horst to Gessler: 'The Duke of Bern is has unfortunately been delayed and perhaps doesn't arrive at all.' But they didn't expect that the voting discs were gone and that upset Gessler.

Here is the gate at 2 to 5, standing on the 'internal' bridge. This bridge is, in fact, a part of the courtyard. Scene: The duke of Westfalen enters.

1- Court of entry 2- Bridge 3- Court of Honor 4- Staircase of honor 5- Dungeon 6- Clock Tower 7- Tour of the Chapels 8- Large chapel

10- Southwest Tower 11- Panelery 12- Hall of feasts 13- Tour of the Artillery 14- Welcome 15- Pantry 16- Echansonnerie 17- Panelery

18- Saucerie 19- Fruiteries 20- Lower court 21- Tour Marie 22- Tour 23- Stair tower

Location switch! A moment later the room with the scale and voting is in Montmajour, Notre Dame.

The last part of the episode, during the official elections is in Montmajour. A bigger room. Well done, never noticed until I made a still of it.

Compare: Amnesty see, is also shot here. The Electors The Electors all together, but one is missing...but his daughter is present to vote.

The Farmhouse shots used for 'in between' scenes. This location is a part of the bakery place in Message from Geneve 43 as well. Scene of The

Electors: The duke of Bern and his son are dumped here by Horst. Tell and the daughter of the duke find him here. They witnessed the defining

vote is killed. They climbed into the wagon and ride into Tarascon. They trying to arrive just before the Elections are held.

Another location switch in one scene: The scene in the courtyard Tarascon melted together into the courtyard of Montmajour.

From the Tarascon garden to Montmajour. This is Montmajour courtyard (no longer Tarascon)

Scene: Tell brings the daughter in as a prisoner. Then he gives her father's sword back to her to force Gessler to accept her father's vote.

Tell incognito. He tries to bring the missing vote together with the daughter of the duke of Bern.

Compare this: A shot of 'Amnesty.' below. The same shot of 'The Electors' in Montmajour abbey.

Fritz and Tell (Amnesty 46) on their way to the Emperor to cede their weapons for 'love and peace.' Same spot of Montmajour like above in The Electors 44.

Main location: Montmajour. Location of this path: no idea, probably close to Montmajour abbey. Scene: The arrival of the Inquisitor.

Scene: the baroness fell off her horse, Tell went into the forest looking for the truth and found the witness Edward.

Montmajour has 2 entrances. This one below is the main entrance and a porch with an iron gate. This gate can be seen in the beginning and the

end of double episode: Bloodbrothers 47 and the end of Betrayal 48 where Tell gets his horse back from the boy and rides out of season 2.

Story: The baroness fell off her horse. Tell tries to find out what happened to her. He finally found the man who was going to protect her.

To compare: Left photo is also shot here: Bloodbrothers 47. Chasing the gold in front of Montmajour entrance.

I believe the west forest of Montmajour is too rocky and small and swampy. Most likely is that 'the forest scenes' were filmed a few miles

further, in the fields around the mills of Daudet, Sourdon and Ramet at Fontvieille. Scene: Tell is looking for the witness Edward.

Someone is listening... Episode Inquisitor 45 Location: Crypt Montmajour abbey. (The crypt is in Bloodbrothers and Betrayal as well).

More about the crypt down this page in double episode Bloodbrother and betrayal.

In the dome of Montmajour many episodes have been recorded! Inquisitor 45, Amnesty 46, Blood brothers 47 and Betrayal 48!

Below you see the The lie detector of episode The Inquisitor 45. Location: part of the dome of Montmajour.

Aha in this still I think i recognize the actor on the right... he seems also in the inn (Promised Land). In that episode he deceives Tell and Stefan.

2015 1987 Bloodbrothers 47 and Betrayal 48 1987 The Electors episode 44

Scene: Edward, the witness is killed by Gessler. Tell needs to prove that and takes the body of Edward to the court to show the origin of the arrow.

Same place in Amnesty 46 and Betrayal 48 (middle, Gessler had a nightmare) Notre Dame Montmajour Amnesty

They Emperor has changed his point of view 'love and peace' is now his strategy. He takes the outlaw 'Fritz' to prison and shouted at the guard: 'Throw away the key!'

Then the guard wispers: 'love and peace.' Gessler is furious and confused. He needs a plan.

1987 Tarascon, attached to the courtyard, remarkable shaped windows 2015 Seen from the courtyard 2015

Just before Errol's execution, the Emperor brings him a flower and a message 'love and peace.'He frees him. Location: Courtyard Tarascon.

Scene: Outlaw Errol is supposed to be executed. Then he shouts out loud: 'Long live William Tell!' People around are shocked.

Scene: The emperor has changed and sets all the outlaws free. Fritz gets even a flower from the Emperor.

Gessler is no longer certain of his job anymore. But he isn't able to make the same switch as the emperor.

Scene: One by one they are liberated from prison by the Emperor. Gessler witnessed this with horror. The Emperor speeches: 'every outlaw doesn't have to

flee and can have protection by the Emperor.' Under one condition; most famous outlaw William Tell has to come first. The Emperor will ask him for forgiveness

and love. Later the Emperor is worried Tell doesn't come. He knows Tell is strong but he also knows there is a high pressure on him to come. Then Gessler even

bets his life on it, so he makes a plan to show the Emperor the outlaw Tell can not be trusted. Gessler visits Tell to bring him 'a gift' to make sure he will come.

Extra photos of the some what claustrophobic courtyard of Tarascon. It's very high and small so there isn't much light.

The stones turned grey. The stones have trouble drying by the sun. The architecture is gothic.

The interior is very tall. I think the rooms look alike that makes you almost get lost. From the towers you have a great view to chateau Beaucaire and the Rhone.

Tarascon, is attached to the courtyard. Through the window you can see the high walls of the courtyard and stained glass windows.

Location: The roof of Montmajour - the outlaw meetingpoint in Amnesty 46. All former outlaws do visit Tell here, this short shot below is in St. Maur monastery

attached to Montmajour. Shot at the 'outlaw roof' is a few yards further in Montmajour, (the roof above the main entrance). Later more about St. Maur.

Errol managed to escape. Errol: The Emperor freed me. Tell: 'What? Come sit down and tell about it...once an outlaw, always an outlaw in this country.'

Scene: Tell: 'I'm suprised Gessler allowed it.' Errol: he didn't, he wasn't there. Later when another outlaw 'Fritz' also showed up,

Tell asked again if Gessler was there. Fritz: 'sure he was and what was he furious!' that answer confused Tell. But he went to

Scene: 'Everybody waits for a sign of you William.' 'I would do it for you all but there is one thing: It could be a trap and Gessler can not be trusted.'

At that moment Gessler walks into the Outlaw place and said: 'I say you can!' He comes with his plan to make sure the emperor's plan will succeed.

He tries to convince Tell. Tell is still suspicious but the pressure of all the people is very high.

Gessler gives Tell a small 'secret' Crossbow. Gessler promised the emperor, he would destroy his weapons as well and he will try to convince Tell as well. He puts the pressure on him.

Tell strongly doubts whether Gessler is also behind the peace proposal. Tell is forced by the Emperor's call. He wants a world of peace and free other outlaws.

Saint-Maur Montmajour, Kalash's place and the meeting point of the weapon expert.

Tell and they outlaws consulting an expert to find out who made this special small weapon. It's made of Arabian Steel, possibly made by Kalash the turk, one day ride to the river.

Roof Montmajour Tell is also shortly at this location (other corner) while talking to the expert and finding dead kalash.

'Kalash the turk' worked on a the secret weapon. Tell got the secret weapon from Gessler and when he has to collect his weapon, he has to assure Gessler, that he has brought

this weapon with him. Tell wants to know who made the weapon. They find Kalash's place. Unfortunately he can no longer speak to the maker.

The place is not open to the public. That's a pity. Some parts could be dangerous. It will be stabilized and a part will be opened in 2021.

NOTE: This episode 46 'Amnesty' has also a confusing switch between Montmajour and Tarascon. The emperor has two seats!

1. The collecting of all weapons and Gessler's attacks on the Emperor - is in abbey Montmajour.

2. The scenes in between with the Emperor and his mother and all the visits Gessler brings to the Emperor - are in Tarascon.

The collecting of weapons and the attack on the Emperor. Can the attack be stopped by Tell? Both has hidden their weapons.

'My dear Governor, there are bees among my flowers, they spread pollen, but they also sting.'

Is filmed in Montmajour and the fields around it and moulin Daudet and Sourdon.

In fact this episode starts with the boy looking at the wagon with the gold. Located: St. Maure / Montmajour). More below.

First scene: Gessler meets his brother in the Dome of Montmajour and the second time with the emperor in the crypt of Montmajour.

Gessler realizes the gold is missing... and has an unexpected visitor, his brother...

Location: The dome of Montmajour in front of Gessler's bedroom (not decorated yet). Where Gessler gets nightmares about the missing gold.

Gessler's brother wants an introduction to the emperor in exchange for the delivery of Tell. the only point where Gessler is weak.

What he didn't expect is that his brother wins the trust of the emperor. It goes so far as that The emperor and his brother want to

get rid of Gessler. They are joking about the initials of the seal: 'when Gessler is gone, they don't have to change the official seal.'

Location: Crypt of Montmajour. Scene: Gessler becomes suspicious about his brother. His brother even misleaded Gessler and William Tell.

The Maurist monastery (18th century)

The forbidden place in Montmajour west. From the entrance and first floor which leads to the also forbidden and ruined part of the abbey St. Maure of Montmajour. The ruined Maurist

Monastery was built in the classical Piranesian style on a huge scale; the building was originally five stories high, covering eight thousand square meters, with sixty windows and two

grand staircases. The monks, lay brothers and novices lived on the top two floors, with their library, classrooms and archives. The building was largely demolished after the French

Revolution for its building materials. The room is closed to the public may not enter. They are thinking about renovating around 2021.

The monastic complex was sold as national property in 1791. The buildings, for the most part very degraded or partially destroyed,  were bought by the city of

Arles in 1838. Prosper Mérimée had the building classified as a Historic Monument in 1840.  The first restorations were carried out in 1872 by the architect

Henri Revoil. In 1943, the state acquired the abbey which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1968.

The ruined Maurist Monastery was built in the classical Piranesian style on a huge scale; the building was originally five stories high, covering eight thousand

square meters, with sixty windows and two grand staircases. The monks, lay brothers and novices lived on the top two floors, with their library, classrooms

and archives. The building was largely demolished after the French Revolution for its building materials.

The boy is walking on one of the terraces in the left in front of St. Maur. The plateau of grass with the two small trees on it.

The boy and his sister 'Bridget' are living in the ruines of St. Maur, Montmajour.

1987 The boy coincidently dropped his bread in the inner place and walks down to get it. 2015

Scene: The soldiers do not tolerate prying eyes. They are busy with an important mission, transporting the gold of the emperor.

To Compare: same place Tell gives the grain back top the farmers. Same episode same spot different scene. More later below

The boy gets help from Tell. He brings the boy home. But some people do expect them....

This pine tree spot is filmed many times in this episode. The boy is pointing it as close to his home. I think the former car parking Fontvieille. It's a guess.

Location: It could be mills of Daudet area (a few miles away). A beautiful nature reserve with many pine trees, ancient mills and rocky grounds.

In the back at the horizon a kind of church tower or a house...a village or part of St. Maur? Somehow I think the parking place of Daudet.

2016 1987 Bridget and the boy are standing in front of the fireplace 2016

The boy walks home and the soldiers are waiting there for Tell. While the Crossbow is pointed at Tell, a strange noise comes from outside.

One of the Soldiers takes a look. He immediately gets killed by an arrow. Then Tell has to take a look... a person arises out of the mist.

The stranger: 'Good evening.' Just passes Tell and and walks straight at Wolf. Wolf becomes pretty nervous of this guy who shot his companion already.

Remarkable is...it's in a split second dark. (it never stroke me but when I made some stills It stroke me).

The stranger let the soldiers run away. The stranger is vague in all answers, like who he is and where he comes from. That creates a lot of mistrust.

The place is very dangerous nowadays. It's unbelievable they were able (and allowed) to gallop out there with a lot of heavy horses in a large abbey

hall (below the terras is a building) The floors don't look very stable nowadays...there are holes in it. But 30 years ago it was in a better condition/state.

2016 The characteristic door with a block out of the doorpost. Scene: Bridget is cold and she doesn't dare to trust the stranger 1987

Documentary on FR3 about restoring. I wished to visit before this happened... Honestly...it won't get any better if extra construction and walls are plastered.

I know the restores do their best, but the authenticity will then be gone, but it will become safer. Hope they don't build too much. love the simplicity of this.

The boy: 'Bridget, the black knights are back!' Bridget: 'Run! Run to the forest!' Decoration: Green camouflage cloth?

Compare this place to ep. Amnesty: From the 'outlaw roof' to the ruines of Saint-Maur (only the left picture is 'Amnesty') the other pictures: Bloodbrothers and Betrayal

Scene: The outlaws Geswin and Fritz are finally freed by the emperor. Same location

This would have been a perfect scene for a music clip of Enya. It looks like a wonderful ancient keltic scene!

The place the secret small crossbow is made of Arabian steel by Kalash. This week I found out It is the ruins of abbaye Saint-Maur Montmajour.

Gessler and Horst visited this place to meet Kalash. The place is not open to the public. That's a pity. Some parts are dangerous.

This part will be restored. It sure will change and we don't know yet in which way. So enjoy this rare photos.

The return of the farmers. Location: Montmajour, part of St. Maur. Still closed to the public.

Bridget is riding away to check Gessler's brother can be trusted. Then she hears a chat between Horst and him.

The riders

In this episode riders chasing Bridget. While I made some stills I found out I knew these shots.. I've seen them in episode 'Plague.' Katrina running

with young Matthew. These riders were exact the same. It seems stuntriders and Ian Brimble with Horst on the horse. If this is true, then this short

shots are made around Ain. This area doesn't look like Montmajour.

And below: Betrayed 48...it doesn't fit in the environment above. I never saw this environment before with the church. Around Savoie?

Gessler's nightmare is a signal that nobody can be trusted. Not even he himself.

2015 On the altar of the crypt Gessler's predictive nightmare about Horst turning against him (east wing of Montmajour dome) Feels if his head is still on his body.

Location: Gessler's bedroom is in the dome of Montmajour, eastwing. Scene: Gessler: 'I saw myself in sleep forever...'

We are not yet sure whether or not the mill of Daudet had a roof at the time. (during the filming of Crossbow). Moulin Sourdon and Ramet did not. So it could be Sourdon mill.

The fields are very close to Montmajour. A perfect place for the forest of 'Inquisitor forest' (where the witness Edward is hiding) and the place of the gold wagon.

(Bloodbrothers/Betrayed). And the forest where Bridget is hiding against the blackknight. Location: a few miles east / north east of Montmajour.

It can be around west of Montmajour too but there isn't much space though they make you believe It's next to Montmajour. Montmajour has a small forest at the westside but it's too rocky, a lot of relief. The only flat part around the monastery has a huge private orchard.

The area around it are wetlands and meadows filled with beautiful local small Camargue horses. Called after the area.

Straight to the busy road. In this shot not visible, no noises either). It must be filmed in the early morning.

It looks like they are riding right into the fields. The field with the treasury wagon scene is about 5 km further. Anyway great shot!

The start in front of Abbey of Montmajour (1), then fields of Moulin Daudet and Sourdon (2) and a greener field...elsewhere?(3). These fields are not attached to the abbey.

Beginning of episode Bloodbrothers 47 The end of episode Bloodbrothers 47 And the forest of The Inquisitor!

Then the fields near Alphonso Daudet a few miles further. Enough space in a nature reserve.

The rocky field is possibly found. The parking place behind in combination with the mill (look at the white car behind, It can be seen in a split second).

But the actual the parking (aire de camping on the map) has a little cliff all around, and on the other side there's the road. So we can't see how

they could have been next to it and at the same level. That's why I thought the field was the one toward Sourdon or at the old parking, see below on the map.

The green landscape is near a church with a sharp bell tower that shouldn't be hard to find and is still missing I've seen some of these

shots in one of the first episodes, Perhaps around Ain or Haute-Savoie? For the riders yes, but the treasury wagon it's too far away.

Left: the dry rocky mills field. Right 2 picture: The greeny landscape is near a church with a sharp bell -not found yet.

A fan pointed this out to me. There might be two location a green misty one and a rocky dry one. Look at it yourself.

Easily alternating between foggy green meadows and the sunny rocky paths near the windmill, a second elsewhere.

Nowadays the grounds at mill of Daudet are pretty bushy with many trees and less fields. The rocky place looks like parts around Daudet, The

green places must be more from a distance. Some of this greener fields became private property. Below also the greener fields with a mill in the back.

Location: At Fontvieille. Scene: Bloodbrothers 47. The first part of the double episode is ending with this shot. Gessler's brother takes the gold and goes to the Emperor with it.

The last 2 episodes of season 2, the double episode. I've decided to put them together

Scene: Gessler's brother says goodbye and goes to the Emperor. Bridget follows Gessler's brother and find out he set a trap for Tell.

1. The grain silo. 2. Boy Peter meets the blackknights. 3.The blackknights loading in the gold. 4. the room Tell stayed with Bridget.

Before Tell goes to the Emperor, he gives back the stolen grain to the farmers. Location: Montmajour entrance, Episode 48 Betrayal

Nowadays this stairs leads to a plateau. They built grain silo and a wooden bridge in front of it. To get access to the room of abbey St-Maure.

1987 Stairs to nowhere. In Crossbow they made a wooden platform In between years 'The Stairs to nowhere.' 2016 a new plateau and handrail

Remarkable: Middle photos: notice the both doors...above closed by stones and below (the right door (of both doors) totally restored!)

The left door is still the same. There is put a new floor in front of it, there wasn't one.

Above: Tell stands on the stairs throwing bags to the farmers so they can fill them with grain. The small porch hasn't changed much over the years.

2015 1987 on the stairs under the huge arcade of Montmajour 2015 A new plateau was welcome and made in 2016

1987 The room is in here. In front of the stairs. To the public forbidden, because it gives entrance to St. Maur and that is a dangerous place. 2015

Above the best part of the ruines of the abbey of Saint-Maur in Montmajour. This part is closed to the public, perhaps too dangerous. More about St. Maur below this site. The

abbey is noted for its 11th–14th-century graves, carved in the rock, its subterranean crypt, and its massive unfinished church. It was an important pilgrimage site during the

Middle Ages, and in the 18th century it was the site of a large Maurist monastery, now in ruin. The abbey and the landscape around it were frequently painted and drawn by

43 meters above the surrounding terrain, protected by marshes and accessible only by boat. As early as the 3rd millennium BC the island was used as a cemetery, with individual

graves carved into the rock. In the 9th and 10th centuries the island also served as a sanctuary for the local residents during invasions of the Saracens and the Normans.

1987 Tell entering Montmajour. The room is led to the emperor (below Betrayed). Same place as in front of Gessler's bedroom 2015 (right below)

In this episode Tell visits the Emperor on this spot. The chair is turned. Only a hand is visible. Tell calls for the emperor, the answer he gets is Gessler's: 'Not yet'

Horst fires an arrow without any result and then throws his Crossbow to Tell but misses. To crypt and later to the roof.

The crypt of St Benedict is partly dug into the rock of the hill and partly built of massive stone walls, perfectly cut. It features a transept with two absidioles, or small chapels,

and a passage which leads to a small rotunda which is crowned with a cupola. The rotunda is surrounded by an ambulatory a tall, narrow hemicircular corridor with a stone

barrel vault. On its outer side, the ambulatory opens into five radiating chapels, each with its own window catching the eastern light, and its own small barrel-vaulted choir bay and

semi-domed apse. The large number of small chapels allowed the large number of monks in the monastery to quickly celebrate the morning mass. A striking feature of the crypt is

the smooth quality of the stone work- the stones are perfectly cut and fitted, and theironly texture is the slight rippling caused by dressing the stone with the help of a toothed hammer.

The 12th century crypt is partly dug into the rock and partly built of massive stone walls, perfectly cut. Forming the lower part of the abbey-church, the crypt is hewn into the rock

on It's southern side and It's northern sections are built of freestone, thereby compensating for the incline in the rock and serving as foundation for the monastery. It's main

architectural features include the solid walls, the wide sweeping choir and the imposing thickness of the semi circulair arches over the transept. A legacy from Roman antiquity, these

elements characterise the burgeoning of a Provencal Romanesque style in the 12th century. The perfectly dressed stones testify to the quarries remarkable expertise. Certain stones

bear capital letters which were the marks of stonecutters, brotherhoods or jobbers. The seven chapels of the crypte were dedicated to liturgy, celebration of private masses and

funeral services, Thus a direct acces led to the cemetery which encircles the chevet apse. Below: a very tensed episode!

A huge hole in the wall (beyond the arcades) In 1987 was grass growing at the courtyard. This gave it a more natural look. Now they are yellow stones.

1987 A nightshot of the gate with fence. Scene: Tell in conversation with Gessler's brother 2015

Will(iam) once told us that he drove past this place a few years after our visit. Quite special that our hero finds the environment special enough to sometimes return on holiday.

Info about the Abbey Montmajour - Rock Cemetery (11th-14th century)

The rocky slope near St. Peter's Chapel has more than a dozen tombs cut into the rock in the shape of human bodies, with places for the head, shoulders

and feet. These are 11th–14th- century graves, its subterranean crypt, The more recent tombs (14th century) were rectangular, and were probably covered

with stone slabs. Most of the tombs are oriented with the feet toward the east, the direction of the sunrise and the Resurrection.

In the tombs live small prehistoric creatures, the Triops. My husband spotted them. Their eggs can survive for years in drought, that makes them special.

Triops are sometimes called "living fossils", since fossils attributable to this genus have been found in rocks of Carboniferous age, an estimated 300 million

years ago. And one extant species, Triops cancriformis, has hardly changed since the Jurassic period (approximately 180 million years ago). Triops can be

found in Africa, Australia, Asia, South America, Europe and in some parts of North America where the climate is right. Some eggs stay unhatched from the

previous group and hatch when rain soaks the area. Triops are often found in vernal pools.

Today the ruins of the abbey are a historic monument by the Centre des monuments nationaux. The more recent tombs (14th century) were rectangular,

and were probably covered with stone slabs. Most of the tombs are oriented with the feet toward the east, the direction of the sunrise and the Resurrection.

During the Middle Ages, several legends arose about Montmajour and its founding. One legend said that the island had been the sanctuary of St. Trophimus, who had been

sent from Rome by St. Peter to convert the Gauls. After coming to Arles in 46 AD, he took shelter in one of the caves on the island and received disciples there. A rock cell

under the church is called "The Confessional of St. Trophimus." Until 943 the island belonged to the Church of St. Trophime in Arles. Another legend said that the graves were

those of soldiers of Charlemagne, who had fought against the Saracens. A third legend said that the first church was founded by King Childebert I, the son of Clovis,

The cloister formally the Abbey of St. Peter (French: Abbaye Saint-Pierre de Montmajour) was a fortified Benedictine monastery built between the 10th and 18th centuries on

what was originally an island five kilometers north of Arles, in what is now the Bouches-du-Rhône Department, in the region of Provence in the south of France. It was meant

to reinforce the walls of the first four bays of the church, but these bays were never built. It is rectangular, 27 meters long and 24 meters wide. In the center is a cistern

which collected rainwater through pipes and channels from the roofs of the monastery buildings.

The north gallery is the oldest part of the cloister. The traverse arches are supported by brackets decorated with carvings of real and mythological beasts, including a tarasque.

Some of the foliage-decorated columns show human heads looking through the foliage. The original sculpted capitals were repaired in the 19th century.

At the beginning of the east gallery is the tomb of the Counts of Provence, built to hold the remains of Count Raymond Berenger IV (died 1181). The only original Romanesque capitals

are in this arcade, representing the Temptation of Christ by a small devil with flaming hair; on the other side is an acrobat performing splits, and an apple, the symbol of temptation.

The west gallery was extensively altered by the Maurist monks in the 18th century, but the brackets have some of the most vivid carvings, showing the Mistral wind, the moon,

the sun and fire, and a mythical amphibious beast devouring a man. It also has 13th century graffiti depicting sailing ships and horses.

The south gallery is the most recent, and the carvings are the most realistic; a donkey, a monkey, a camel and an eagle are depicted on the brackets, and the columns show

the Annunciation the crowning of the Virgin, and knights fighting. The Chapter House was connected with the east gallery- here the monks gathered each morning to hear a

chapter of the Rule of St. Benedict followed by a brief teaching on it by the abbot, and also discussed the management of the abbey. It is lit by a single oculus, or round window,

The Refectory, or dining room, connected with the south gallery through a Romanesque door decorated with a grotesque head of Tantalus, The dormitory of the monks occupied the

entire floor over the refectory, and was connected to it by two staircases. The west gallery formerly connected to the cellar, bakery, bread oven, and guest rooms, which no longer exist.

The abbey complex consists of six sections: 1.The hermitage, dating from the 11th century, which includes the Chapel of St. Peter; 2. The cloister, built during the 12th and 13th

centuries; 3. The adjacent Chapel of the Holy Cross, built during the 12th century; 4. The fortified Monastery of St. Peter, built during the 14th century; 5. The Tower of Abbot Pons

de l'Orme, dating from the same period; 6. The Maurist monastery, built in the 17th century. It's a massive unfinished church. It was an important pilgrimage site during the Middle

Ages, and in the 18th century it was the site of a large Maurist monastery, now in ruin. The abbey and the landscape around it were frequently painted and drawn by Vincent van Gogh.

Until the late Middle Ages, Montmajour was an island, 43 meters above the surrounding terrain, protected by marshes and accessible only by boat. As early as the 3rd millennium

BC the island was used as a cemetery, with individual graves carved into the rock. In the 9th and 10th centuries the island also served as a sanctuary for the local residents during

invasions of the Saracens and the Normans. During the Middle Ages, several legends arose about Montmajour and its founding. One legend said that the island had been the

After coming to Arles in 46 AD, he took shelter in one of the caves on the island and received disciples there. A rock cell under the church is called "The Confessional of St.

Trophimus. " Until 943 the island belonged to the Church of St. Trophime in Arles. Another legend said that the graves were those of soldiers of Charlemagne, who had fought

against the Saracens. A third legend said that the first church was founded by King Childebert I, the son of Clovis, when he saw the fervor of a group of hermits on the island.

Not much changed only the pillars got restored and the grass changed into stones of the same color of the wall.

The tower was built by the abbot and cardinal, Pons de l'Orme, beginning in 1369 to protect the abbey from the rampaging Free Company (see chronology.) The tower is 26

meters high, and contained a well and a storeroom for provisions, having three stories in the upper level. The top is equipped with battlements, arrow slits and machicolation,

designed to drop unpleasant things on the heads of attackers. The coat of arms of the abbot, an elm tree with two angel-monks, is carved on the outside of the tower.

Tarascon

Tarascon is agreeably situated on the left bank of the Rhone, directly opposite to Beaucaire, with which it is connected by a bridge of boats; the river being too wide and

rapid to admit of any other description of bridge being built over it; even some of the boats are frequently carried away when the NW wind blows very strong; as there is

no parapet to protect the traveller, it is not safe to pass over in a carriage if the weather be bolsterous. At the top of the castle there is a platform commanding a fine view

of the Rhone. The River Rhône marked the border between Languedoc, a province of the Kingdom of France, and the County of Provence; Louis II thought better to

protect his side of the river from attacks coming from Beaucaire, although he was a cousin of the King of France. below Beaucare in opposite of Tarascon.

left:Cour d'honneur, niche with busts of King René I and Jeanne de Laval, his second wife, and the Latin inscription "These demi-gods, made illustrious by the French lilies and by the

Cross, advance side by side towards Heaven". The cross in the coat of arms is that of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, René being a claimant to it. The busts were not originally made for the niche.

The Maurist monastery (18th century)

Info about the Abbey Montmajour - Rock Cemetery (11th-14th century)

Tarascon

Castle of Tarascon: (left) reliefs on the ground floor; (centre)