The castle and the market hall, a photo from Poitou-Charentes, West

Photographer's Note

The castle of Niort was started by Henry II Plantagenet and completed by Richard the Lionheart. Dominating the Sèvre Niortaise valley, it now consists of two square towers or donjons, linked by a 15th century building. The two donjons are the only remaining part of the castle, forming the central point of a once massive fortress. Following Henry II's marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine, the English Crown controlled most of western France. Needing a secure base from which to maintain links with England, Niort was strategically placed as a site where Henry could maintain a garrison and supplies of personnel and weapons. He chose a site on the banks of the Sèvre on an earlier site. Historians differ over the attribution; a recent hypothesis suggest that Henry's son Richard the Lionheart may have been responsible for the establishment of the castle.

The market hall was constructed by Durand in 1869 in steel and cast iron. Built in the Baltard style, the current building is the third covered market in the town. The medieval market buildings were reputed to be the largest in the Kingdom of France.

(Source: Wikipedea)

rodgerg, Kofman, papagolf21, williewhistler, jlbrthnn, Budapestman, baddori, Charo, TopGeo, Graal, Cricri, BluSimo has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

rodgerg (55767) 2011-09-12 0:47

Hello Stephen,

Un très beau cadrage qui montre ainsi côte à côte deux témoins de l'histoire de l'architecture. Le contraste entre les deux époques est particulièremment intéressant. Une excellente idée bien réalisée.
Have a nice week,
Roger

Ricx (13435) 2011-09-12 0:55

Hi Stephen, an amazing contrast between Old and "new"- two fascinating eras in archtitecture. well taken from a good POV well done Rich

lakshmip1949 (19110) 2011-09-12 2:40

Hello Stephen,

Nice juxtaposition of this old and new architectural building. I see the details on bothe with sharpness and warm colors.

Lakshmi

papagolf21 (76515) 2011-09-12 2:48

Bonjour, cher Stephen,
Grâce à tes photographies, je découvre la France d'une bien belle façon.
La joliesse d'ensemble est remarquable.
Ce magnifique château à proximité d'un pavillon de type Baltard est étonnant.
Merci du partage.
Excellente journée.
Amitiés.
Philippe

williewhistler (7265) 2011-09-12 4:12

Hello Stephen,there is something slightly surreal about viewing what appears to be modern concrete blocks and a 15th century castle in the same photo!
The steps provide a nice lead up to the most imposing castle.
Regards Les.

Sergiom (39184) 2011-09-12 5:13

Bonjour Stephen,

Une confrontation entre deux architectures complètement différentes. La verrière est magnifique et reflète bien le ciel et le château est de toute beauté.

Amicalement

Serge

Nicou (97637) 2011-09-12 5:51

Hello
Encore une emrveilleuse image, quel beau château, avec ces couleurs rosées, douces cet escalier arrondi et le contraste le ce bâtiment en verrière, fantastique compo et image.

Bravo et amitié

Nicou

DjoleEric (0) 2011-09-12 6:37

Hi Stephen.
Beautiful photos.
Good angle shot.
Beautiful photos.
A good display of colors and sharpness.
Excellent image quality.
Have a nice day.
Djole.

jlbrthnn (79773) 2011-09-12 9:41

Bonjour Stephen,
Il n'y a personne, donc cette photo n'a pas pu être faite un jour de marché :) Comme tu le sais je connais bien cette ville, cet endroit et ces halles, où une de mes grand-mères a vendu des escargots, il y a trop longtemps. Malgré les conditions atmosphériques, la photo est de bonne qualité. Bon cadrage. Bravo.
Bonne fin de journée
Amicalement
Joël

jurek1951 (35765) 2011-09-12 11:08

Hi Stephen,
Beautiful point of view of this fantastic place,
great old architecture and details,
Georg

Budapestman (82620) 2011-09-12 13:18

Hi Stephen,
a superb double "portrait" with spectacular composition and excellent details, I like the the contrast between the architectures, Tfs! Have a nice week! Kellemes hetet kívánok!
György

Fis2 (73084) 2011-09-12 13:20

Witaj Stephen!
A very interesting contrast: castle and market hall.
Curious objects.
Good frame, colors and sharpness.
Well done.
Best regards my friend.
Krzysztof

baddori (18988) 2011-09-12 13:27

Stefano
Grande Castello storico e grande mercato ..
U po come il Centro Pompidou ...Arte moderna che convive con l'antico.
La nota interessante con disquisizione storica del dominio inglese in Francia ..mal sopportato ..ma all'epoca vi era la Borgogna anche .
Gianfranco

Charo (51174) 2011-09-12 17:12

Bonsoir Stephen,
Eh bien faite cette image en contraste les deux bâtiments de styles architecturaux très différents.
Lumière magnifique malgré le ciel couvert et une excellente définition.
Amitiés,
Charo

TopGeo (37994) 2011-09-12 22:28

Hi Stephen
Impressive picture beautiful presentation Fantastic shot from great POV,, an amazing contrast between Old and "new" -
The quality and frame is perfectly The light, colors and layout is superb.
regards
Georgios

Graal (88852) 2011-09-12 22:45

Hi Stephen,
an interesting informations and presentation of old castle. Amazing modern architecture of market hall. Good photowork. Nice place in Niort.
Gr., Aleksander

dkmurphys (36759) 2011-09-13 1:26

Hi Stephen,
Interesting structure, I like the atmosphere around these old buildings. Nice textures, well catch.

Cricri (86391) 2011-09-14 8:36

Hi Stephen
Voila un contraste des frappant de ces deux bâtiments a l'architecture très différentes, belle lumière, détails et présentation
Belle soirée
cricri

BluSimo (9392) 2011-09-22 13:53

Bonsoir Stephen
cette contraposition d'édifices est surprenante. semblables pour les dimensions mais très différent pour les matériels qui les composent, ils nous donnent la possibilité de voir le temps passé et celui récent dans le même instant. il ne se passe pas souvent. charmant la lumière de ce jour nuageux.
une bonne soirèe
Simonetta