28 – From the nave…

The transept

With St Michel watching over the altar we faced the elaborate Gothic transept crossing and the apse. Reputedly based on the Abbey of St Ouen in Rouen, this part of the abbey emulates the best in Gothic architecture. While the exterior of this section of the building is decidedly flamboyant with flying buttresses and lace like tracery, there is a simplicity to the interior that somehow enhances and highlights the few decorative elements of detail in the stone carving surrounding the second and third tiers of the chancel windows. Likened by some  to a glass cage, light streams in from the windows of the chapels off the surrounding ambulatory behind the rear chancel arches. The central chapel directly behind the altar is that of Notre Dame. The height of the vaulting in the chancel is simply staggering and the contrasting colour of supporting stone piers serves to attract the eye to this. Once again the interior of the chancel's appearance belies the exterior forest of stone enabling it to stand erect - a testament to the architectural genius that designed it.

This sight must surely awaken any latent seeds of spirituality in even the least devout. Those more so spontaneously genuflected and began to pray.

I stood in awe.