Inspired by Johan Barthold Jongkind (1819-1891) – A street in Nevers (October 14, 1873) – Water color / Black Stone – 6,53 x 4,76 inch

As night falls on a dark and narrow street in Nevers, a city in central France, Genevieve keeps her promise to her grand-daughter Lucie.Well, Lucie helped her grandmother to peel the chestnuts to make delicious preserves to accompany the turkey at Christmas. It’s tiresome but so delicious at the end of the day. Genevieve, to content the little girl, has even made two jars of jam to brighten the pancakes prepared the day before.

And here they are, both comfortably sitted in the sofa in front of a fire, a plaid on their knees and the dog Jules truffle on the thigh of Julie. A baby Cavalier King Charles extremely kind who loves his mistress and everyone entering the house.

While the crackling of the flames is in full swing, Genevieve takes her mysterious air and begins her story as follows:

“Once upon a time, Charlemagne haunted by a bad dream that had unfolded as follows. As he was peacefully walking through a thick and dark forest, an angry wild boar had decided to pursue the wandering intruder relentlessly. Charlemagne, filled with fear, had begged some heavenly help. Therefore a half-naked child appeared promising to help him if he gave him a cloth. What Charlemagne did with a good heart. The child left the woods on the back of the boar.

Puzzled by such a dream, Charlemagne had convened his counsellors to tell them the story. Among them, Jerome, the bishop of Nevers, explained to him that the child he had met responded to the name of Saint Cyr and that the clothing requested symbolized the restitution of the confiscated property of the Church and the restoration of the cathedral to be dedicated to Saint Cyr and his mother Sainte Julitte.

Moved, Charlemagne gave some money and property to the diocese of Nevers. The building was rebuilt.

When the relics of the child and his mother rrive, miracles appeared in Nevers.

This legend is described in the cathedral Saint Cyr Sainte Julitte on the last capital of the nave, south side and on the gable of the Romanesque chevet. “.

Genevieve casts a furtive glance at Lucie, who is fast asleep, and at Jules, who telepathically opens an eyelid while wagging his tail.