Tin Churches in France

 

The Franche-Comte region of France is sandwiched between the Rhone valley and the Swiss border. As well as being a very attractive area of France also has a visual treat for the fans of rust. To protect the local churches from the effects of weather erosion it is usual to to clad the stonework with galvanized metal sheeting. This soon begins to rust and the effect is of a giant patchwork as the individual panels decay at varying rates.

The pictures were taken in the valley of the river Doubs to the South-west of Pontarlier.

 

Two views (above and left) of a clad church in the early stages of decay.

This church (below and left) is now well weathered, the originally bright metal now a dappled tapestry of shades of rust.

(Above and right) Details of decay.

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