Carentan, place de la Republique

Arcades in the Place de la Republique.

Seven powerful stone arches, supporting the front rooms of the buildings above.

These are 14th century arcades, which were spared the extensive pillage by Edward III's soldiers in 1347 and thus comprise the oldest vestige of civil architecture in Carentan.

Their presence in the very centre of the town indicates that they were originally either part of a mediaeval market place or else market stalls.


Why rendered in black and white? Firstly, to emphasise the texture and physical presence of the arches. Secondly, it was a miserable, rainy day, and the colours in the square were grim. Thirdly, any colour in the square, however grim, would catch the eye and detract from the character of the arcades.