Fountain 49 at the base of St Michel d' Aiguilhe Le Puy-en-Valey

I have already written about this visit in Le-Puy-en-Valey August 25, 2013
however, I am in my own personal and generally mistaken way, thorough and methodical,
and Fountain 49 comes after Fountain 48.

                                          The fountain at the base of St. Michael d' Aiguile

           

    Detail of the fountain with the Archangel Michael stamping down Satan, a fallen angel.

Interestingly, in these days of accusation, disharmony and divide between Christians (a term used very loosely because although being Christian is not fashionable, celebrating Christmas and Easter is ubiquitous) Jews and Muslims is an important commonality. 

All three religions believe that Archangel Michael is a leading angel 

who fights evil with the power of good.

He is the only angel mentioned by name in all three of the major sacred texts of the world's religions: the Torah (Judaism), the Bible (Christianity), and the Qur'an (Islam). 

If everyone is "believing" the same thing 

why are there so many problems with world peace and all that stuff?

Ok, hands up those who don't believe.

Fallen man is not allowed.

                
                                       Trefoil arch above the entrance to St. Michael's Church

The reliefs within this curious arch depict the Lamb of God (labeled with AGNUS DEI) 

in the center and four Elders of the Apocalypse hold vials on either side. 

Above the arch are elaborate vines populated with birds and two human figures

 with "Green Men" under their feet.

Below the arch are vines which issue from the mouths of large human heads 

and contain birds pecking at grapes.

The lintel is carved with two mermaids: one with a snake's tail and one with the tail of a fish.

I frequently come across these charming creatures in France and Italy.

And if my eyes were more open, I might find them more often in England.

Something I hadn't mentioned in my first writing about the history of St. Michael's Chapel:

There are three great stones, considered to be the remains of a prehistoric dolmen built 

at the top of the rock, that have been incorporated into St. Michael's Chapel.

Then later the Romans worshiped Mercury, the swift messenger god

 with his winged shoes at the site. 

When the area was eventually converted to Christianity the rock was consecrated

 to St. Michael the Archangel, the patron of high places.