Collégiale Saint-Frambourg de Senlis

About

The Collège Saint-Frambourg de Senlis is a former royal chapel, which at the same time had a chapter of twelve canons appointed directly by the king, located in Senlis (Oise), France. It was dedicated to Saint Fraimbault, whose relics it preserved. Its foundation is attributed to Queen Adelaide, following the election of Hugues Capet in 987 in the same city.

A Carolingian church was demolished to build the pre-Roman collegiate with a western massif and a basilical nave. However, around 1177, the chapel of Adelaide had to give way to a more ambitious Gothic building whose construction was launched around 1169. This collegiate follows a very simple plan, with a single ship, with one level of elevation and five double spans, but its dimensions are important for a chapel reserved for the royal family, the chapter and the veneration of many relics: it is 46 m long and 9.70 m wide inside, and is flooded with light.

It looks massive, powerful and elegant at the same time; Its architecture relies on harmonious proportions and careful execution and does not yield to the temptation to impress...