St Riquier is now a small, quiet village 3 miles (5km) to the east of Abbeville (Somme). But once…read moreit was an important centre in Charlemagne's empire, and the abbey (founded in the 7th century) became the property of his son-in-law, Angilbert, the poet and 'Homer of the Palatine'.
Nothing remains of the abbey from that period: instead, the chief interest is the amazing church, which dominates the centre of the village.
Of cathedral-like proportions, it is a masterpiece of the 15th century French flamboyant gothic style. The West Front has a muscular square tower with rather heavy proportions - butresses slope from either side like the wings of some mediaeval space rocket, about to take off. But the strongly vertical decorative scheme is well done, and full of niches which hold delicate carvings of saints, angels and biblical scenes.
But even this does not prepare you for the interior. The local stone here is a form of chalk, and it is a dazzling white, emphasising the soaring gothic lines. This underscores the nave's impressive scale: the arcades are surmounted by enormous plain-glass clerestory windows, thrusting upwards to a series of vaults soaring 24m (78ft) high. The piers are covered in interesting carvings.
The furnishings are relatively modest in comparison: the chancel has some interesting 17th century iron grilles and monks' stalls. The side chapels contain some rather dull 19th century paintings and nicer 16th century painted statues.
The church is the setting for an impressive music festival in July: it must be a marvellous spectacle.
