Arc de décharge (discharge arch ©)

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

The discharge arches in the picture are the top two arcs (arches), embedded in the wall itself. Normally these arches take some load off a linteau (lintel); in this case however they take some load of the colonne (column) in the middle of the baie (wall opening).

Saint-Martin - Chapaize