Arc (arch)

In architecture arches appear in many shapes, ranging from a simple round arch to the more complicated multi-foil arch. This blog contains an overview of the various arch types, all entries start with arch.
See also rouleau.

The nomenclature used when describing arches :
1 = clear span (portée)
2 = post (piédroit)
3 = setting-out point
4 = crown
5 = rise (flèche)
6 = start
7 = birth
8 = extrados (extrados)
9 = intrados (intrados or douelles)
The description of the numbers 3, 4, 6 and 7 has been made up by me, based on the Dutch original.

Arc - Wikipedia

Arc-boutant (flying buttress)

Flying buttresses are, as far as I am concerned, better known in gothique (Gothic) than in roman (Romanesque) architecture.
But that may be due to my own ignorance.
By lack of better examples, in the picture two flying buttresses (one behind the other) of the Notre-Dame in Cluny.
Flying buttresses transfer the horizontal forces from the superstructure to a pile or culée (buttress) at the end of the arch.
See also pile and culée.

Notre-Dame - Cluny

Architrave (architrave)

Because I associate the word architrave more easily with Greek or Roman temples than with roman (Romanesque) churches, I have added this particular Wikipedia picture.
The parts, also used in Romanesque architecture are:

A - colonne (column)
B - chapiteau (capital)
C - abaque (abacus)
D - architrave (architrave)

This is an architrave of the Doric order.

Architrave - Wikipedia

Bâtière (saddleback)

This word is only used in the context toit à bâtière = saddleback roof.
Church towers with a saddleback roof are quite rare in this area; in the picture the Saint-Félix in Vers.

Saint-Félix - Vers

Chaîne (chain bond ©)

The translation in the title is followed by this sign ©; this means that it has been "invented" by me.

A vertical reinforcement in stone of a wall, in the shape of a pilastre (pilaster) on one side of the wall, level with the wall on the other side.
On the level side of the wall the strengthening looks like a chain, hence the name.
The sketch came from Wikipedia.
A chaîne is often used on corners of buildings.
In the picture a chain pattern on the corner of the Notre-Dame in Clessé.

Chaîne - Wikipedia

Notre-Dame - Clessé

Charpente (roof construction)

A wooden construction, consisting of frames, beams, purlins, etc. carrying the roofing material.
In the picture the roof construction of the farinier (granary or storage space for flour) of the abbaye (abbey) of Cluny.
The building as well as the roof construction are Gothic and go back to the 13th century.

Farinier - Cluny

Clair-étage (clerestory)

A row of windows in the top storey of the nef (nave), lighting the nave directly.
The four windows are part of the clerestory.
See also claire-voie, clerestoire and fenêtres hautes (all 3 are synonyms).

Saint-Philibert - Tournus

Claire-voie (clerestory)

A row of windows in the top storey of the nef (nave), lighting the nave directly.
The five windows are part of the clerestory.
See also clair-étage, clerestoire en fenêtres hautes (all 3 are synonyms).

Saint-Martin - Chapaize

Claire-voie (window gallery ©)

The translation in the title is followed by this sign ©; this means that it has been "invented" by me.

Claire-voie has in civil architecture yet another meaning.
The beautifully decorated window arcades of which one can still find quite a few in Cluny are also called claire-voies.
In the picture the claire-voie in 25 Rue de la République.

25 Rue de la République - Cluny

Claveau (voussoir)

Wedge shaped stone used to build an arc (arch) or voûte (vault).
The picture comes from Wikipedia.
See also voussoir (synonym).

Claveau - Wikipedia

Claveau droit (keystone)

The highest stone of an arc (arch) or voûte (vault).
In a vault the keystone is normally located at the crossing of the ogives (ribs) of the vault, and often beautifully decorated.
See also clef de voûte (synonym).

Claveau droit - Wikipedia

Clerestoire (clerestory)

A row of windows in the top storey of the nef (nave), lighting the nave directly.
The four windows are part of the clerestory.
See also clair-étage, claire-voie and fenêtres hautes (all 3 are synonyms).

Saint-Philibert - Tournus

Clef de voûte (keystone)

The highest stone of an arc (arch) or voûte (vault).
In a vault the keystone is normally located at the crossing of the ogives (ribs) of the vault, and often beautifully decorated.
A well known keystone is one that was rescued from Cluny III (see picture).
N.B. : The French are using two different spellings for the word key : clef and clé.
Wikipedia uses both spellings at random.
See also claveau and claveau droit (synonym).

Musée Ochier - Cluny

Colonnade (colonnade)

A series of colonnes (columns), for example the colonnade seperating the déambulatoire (ambulatory) from the abside (apse) in the Notre-Dame-de-la-Nativité in Bois-Sainte-Marie.

Notre-Dame-de-la-Nativité - Bois-Sainte-Marie

Colonne (column)

A vertical construction element with a circular cross section, either monolithic or composed of tambours (drums).
In the picture some columns of the colonnade in the Notre-Dame-de-la-Nativité in Bois-Sainte-Marie.
See also other entries related to colonne.

Notre-Dame-de-la-Nativité - Bois-Sainte-Marie

Colonnette (short column ©)

The translation in the title is followed by this sign ©; this means that it has been "invented" by me.

A short colonne (column).
This colonnette can be found in one of the clochers (bell towers) of the Sacré-Cœur in Paray-le-Monial.

Sacré-Cœur - Paray-le-Monial

Comble (roof and roofing ©)

The translation in the title is followed by this sign ©; this means that it has been "invented" by me.

The entire roof, hence beams, girders, roofing, etc. (according Wikipedia).
According to Mr. Eduard van Boxtel's glossary (letter C) the comble is everything between voûte (vault) and roof, which is not the same as Wikipedia's definition.
The comble is clearly visible in this picture of the ruins of the Saint-Christophe in Le Puley.

Saint-Christophe - Le Puley

Console (corbel)

A Gothic variant of a corbeau, q.v.
I am not sure whether the corbel on this picture is actually a console, but it can't be far off.

Chapelle de Lenoux - Laives

Contrefort (buttress)

A buttress is a relatively short piece of wall, perpendicular to and built against a church wall.
The purpose of a buttress is to distribute the horizontal forces from the roof to the foundation.
In the picture the contreforts built against the walls of the Église de-la-Sainte-Trinité, Sainte-Croix et Notre-Dame in Anzy-le-Duc.

Église de la Sainte-Trinité, Sainte-Croix et Notre-Dame - Anzy-le-Duc

Contrefort-colonne (buttress column ©)

The translation in the title is followed by this sign ©; this means that it has been "invented" by me.

A colonne engagée (semicircular engaged column) or colonne adossée (semi-freestanding column) acting as a contrefort (buttress).
In the picture two contreforts-colonnes built aganst the déambulatoire (ambulatory) of the Notre-Dame-de-la-Nativité in Bois-Sainte-Marie.

Notre-Dame-de-la-Nativité - Bois-Sainte-Marie