# Interior view [View the canonical artwork record]() ## Artwork - Artist: [ARCHITECT, French]() - Date: 1151-1200 - Technique: Photo ## Commentary Amongst the most spectacular buildings from the Romanesque period in France are the Cistercian monasteries in the foothills of the Alps and the Pyrenees. They were built in the second half of the twelfth century. The Cistercian churches of Provence are simple, clearly structured spaces made from the stonework of the highest quality. They rely for their effect largely on their idyllic setting and the serenity of the nature surrounding them. The construction of the Cistercian church and monastery buildings began around 1150 and was completed around 1200. At the beginning of the eighteenth century the choir was rebuilt in the Baroque style. In the interior of the church the wide central nave is flanked by narrow side aisles. The pointed barrel vault continues across the crossing. The interior is well lit despite there being no clerestory in the nave, as enough light can enter through the windows in the main apse, the southern side aisle, the western wall, and above the apse. The plain, barrel-vaulted cloisters in the northern section of the church are unusually large. They are surrounded by the monastery buildings according to the usual pattern. The photo shows a view of the nave towards east. ## Related artworks - [Aerial view]() - [Aerial view]() - [Aerial view]() - [Aerial view]() - [Aerial view]() - [Aerial view]() - [Aerial view]() - [Aerial view]() - [Aerial view]() - [Bird's eye view]() - [Burial lantern]() - [Castle]() ## Attribution [Web Gallery of Art]()