This week we’re taking an a-door-able tour of a few of the doors of Luxeuil-les-Bains, France. Yes, the “les-Bains” part means more thermal baths, although our focus wasn’t on them but on the beautiful historical part of the town. You’ll see more of that eventually, including my brave daring adventure on top of a turret. But as this is Thursday and this is the Thursday Doors challenge, let’s look at some doors.
Luxeuil hasn’t had an easy time of it as we see from Wikipedia:
Luxeuil (sometimes rendered Luxeu in older texts) was the Roman Luxovium and contained many fine buildings at the time of its destruction by the Huns under Attila in 451. In 590, St Columban here founded the Abbey of Luxeuil, afterwards one of the most famous in Franche-Comté. In the 8th century, it was destroyed by the Saracens; afterwards rebuilt, monastery and town were devastated by the Normans, Magyars, and Muslims in the 9th century and pillaged on several occasions afterwards. The burning of the monastery and ravaging of the town are commonly used to illustrate the point that no place in Europe was safe during the invasions.
The abbey schools were celebrated in the Middle Ages and the abbots had great influence; but their power was curtailed by the emperor Charles V and the abbey was suppressed at the time of the French Revolution.
Lots of raping, pillaging, and destruction going on, but as you’ll see, there were survivors, including these beautiful doors, just a few of those we saw and I photographed.
That sign goes with this door.
Details, details, details
This, that and the other thing 
Wonderful history here – so rich – and the close up detail of the doorknob -beautiful and so old
So much in Europe is so much older than in the States that’s in fun to see. I love history, which makes it even more enjoyable.
janet
So much history in those doors and the details are fantastic. I often stop in my tracks looking at old doors, I show the children, they agree, they nod, they look, then they wander on – I’m not sure they totally get it!
I think they’ll one day remember and appreciate it, whether or not they do right now. History is so much more than just dates and happenings. It’s the people, places, and physical things, such as homes, doors, utensils, etc. that make it alive.
janet
Venerable old doors!
And big enough to be able to move any size furniture in! 🙂 Our first house had extra wide doors, which wouldn’t have been inexpensive to replace, but made the movers very happy!
janet
😀😀
I enjoyed reading the (sad) history of this area. These surviving doors are beautiful. A testament to the craftsmanship that built them and the care they have received. I hope they continue to stand for centuries.
I hope so, too, Dan. It’s good to be able to view things that are so old and have a first-hand look and link to what life used to be like. There’s too little pride and craftsmanship in many things these days and it saddens me.
janet
It saddens me too, Janet.
You always find the most interesting ones!
Aletta, there was no way to not be able to find interesting doors during this trip, as every place we went had more than I could ever shoot with my camera. I’m happy you’re enjoying them!
janet
wonderful!
An impressive collection, the black hinges on the first door add character to it.
I really like the attention to detail. It adds so much.
janet
Beautiful doors and stonework! I had no idea that FRANCE was invaded by so many cultures. Somehow, I had imagined France as being safe from everybody but the English. Thanks for the history lesson!
Great images, Janet. Those are the best red doors I’ve seen yet, gorgeous.
Looks like you were having a heyday with doors in France!
Those wonderful old doors certainly support a rich history. It was already a fine city in 451!! I have trouble wrapping my head around dates like that.
Oh my … and the worn stairs in the first and last photos. What stories and people’s lives those stairs have seen!
I remember in the 70’s standing at the Acropolis, wondering whether any famous Greeks had stood where I was standing. The stuff that makes history the fascinating study it is!
janet
Love the ‘details’ photo, the one with the close up of the door knob!
Thanks, Julie. I couldn’t resist such beautiful details.
janet
Such wonderful, historical doors. They could really tell some stories.
That they could, Raewyn. If we listen, we can probably hear a few of those stories.
janet
The details are amazing. It sounds like that area had endured a lot, sadly.
There are parts of the world that have been constantly overrun by one group or another. This part of France, and particularly the Alsace, is one of those areas.
janet
Old fifteenth century carved wooden doors – what’s not to love? Gorgeous, especially that first one 🙂
Nice comps of your door pics. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for taking a look and commenting. I was only in France for two weeks and most of that was in the forest, but there are so many beautiful doors where we visited.
janet
Thanks for visiting me -Thurs. is my day “off” because my challenge “Seasons” ends on Wednesday, and often not long on the computer on Thurs. Beautiful and sturdy doors, Janet! The French had a colorful history – I wonder what would be said in the history books about this time (a lot of killing, ethnic groups moving around, etc.)!
One Jacaranda is beautiful, but when you see a whole row in a street, it looks like a fairy tale! The one posted is on our way to Laguna Niguel (also a beautiful area, right at the coast – let your daughter take you there …Laguna Beach, Corona del Mar, Balboa Island, etc.Awesome places to shoot a lot of pics:) )
There are so many places to visit in California. I just have to get the time to get out to visit. 🙂
janet
[…] our way carefully down the steps, worn in the middle from many feet over many years. Time for door photos, coffee/cappuccino, and finding raspberry […]