Attractions and Places To See around Espiens - Top 20

[In Advent] "we hear in the Gospel the beginning of the ministry of John the Baptist. He appears in the desert and calls people to conversion so that they may prepare for the coming of the Lord. His call reminds us that Advent is not only a time of waiting, but also of interior preparation. "Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths" (Luke 3:4). John's message challenges us to examine our lives. What "rough paths" and "crooked roads" are there in our hearts? Where have we perhaps distanced ourselves from God or lost sight of our fellow human beings? John invites us to remove these obstacles and reorient our lives. But his call has not only a personal dimension, but also a social one: the way of the Lord is a way of justice, peace and reconciliation. When we pave the way of the Lord, we bring light into the darkness of the world and hope into the hearts of people." (Text: Michael Inden, Diocesan President of the KAB in the Archdiocese of Cologne)

The church of Vianne is not in the center but on the edge of the village near the east gate. It is dedicated to both Notre Dame and St. Christopher. There are some very special capitals. It is reasonable to assume that there was also a priory and hospital or pilgrims' hostel here. Perhaps this was intended to keep the sick closer to the edge of the town?

Saint John the Baptist (Saint Jean Baptiste), to whom this church in Clermont-Dessous is dedicated, is - like Saint Joseph - a man on the threshold of the Old and New Testaments. His parents are Zacharias and Elisabeth, and after the announcement of the Incarnation of God through them, the Mother of God visits her relative Elisabeth, who will give birth to a son in her old age, namely John the Baptist. He is half a year older than Jesus and is considered his forerunner/pioneer. He lives in the desert, preaches repentance from sins to the Jewish population and baptizes them in the Jordan, where Jesus also comes to be baptized, and is filled with the Holy Spirit who descends upon him from heaven. The feast day of Saint-Jean-Baptiste in the calendar of saints is June 24, exactly half a year before 'Christmas Eve'.

Saint John the Baptist, to whom this church in Clermont-Dessous is dedicated, is—like Saint Joseph—a man at the threshold between the Old and New Testaments. His parents were Zechariah and Elizabeth. After the Annunciation of the Incarnation, the Virgin Mary visited her relative Elizabeth, who, in her old age, would give birth to a son, John the Baptist. He was six months older than Jesus and is considered his forerunner. He lived in the desert, preached repentance to the Jewish population, and baptized them in the Jordan River. Jesus also came to the Jordan to be baptized, and was filled with the Holy Spirit, who descended from heaven. The feast day of Saint John the Baptist in the liturgical calendar is June 24, exactly six months before Christmas Eve.

The name of Saint Christopher (Saint-CHRISTOPHE), to whom this Romanesque church in Vianne is dedicated, means "Christ-bearer". According to the legend of the saint, he was a gigantic man and carried people across a river. One day a small child called to him and he carried it on his shoulders to the other bank. Amazingly, the child became heavier and he said he felt as if the weight of the whole world was on his shoulders. Then the child revealed himself to him as Jesus Christ, Savior and Redeemer of the world.

Beautiful church of Romanesque origin dedicated to Saint Christopher

Nérac is, like Amboise, a royal city insofar as the commune is the fief of the lords of Albret who became king of Navarre in the 15th century. It is also the epicentre of Protestantism. After the massacre of Saint Bartholomew, a treaty between the two religions was born in this city. This is the Edict of Nérac which restored rights for Protestants. It was signed on 28 February 1579 between King Henry III and the religionists. After the death of Henry III in 1589, the city lost its influence, because having no descendants, it was Henri de Navarre-Bourbon-Albret who became king of France under the name of Henri IV. It is then said that when the doors of Paris opened to Henry, those of fame closed for Nérac.

The visit to Nérac revolves around its navigable river, the Baïse. From the Saint-Nicolas church or the Petit Nérac viewpoint, you can see the port, the Old Bridge and the tanneries which today house an art gallery and restaurants. The walk takes place along the streets (Maison des Conferences, Château d'Henri IV and its museum) and in the Royal Park of La Garenne redesigned by Queen Margot, wife of Henri IV.