The north transept
The construction of this church began with a very modest chevet and continued through the transept and then the nave, right up to the entrance porch: the transept is therefore the oldest surviving part.
With chapels not only to the east, but also to the west and even at the north and south ends, this space is one of those that has been altered least over the generations. It gives us a good idea of the simplicity of Cistercian volumes in the middle of the 12th century. [To go further]
The quotation
"The harshness of regular observance
and the stone of discipline
often let out broad streams of perfume,
and the rigour of order,
like that of stone,
makes the soul feel the sweetness of prayer...".
Gilbert de Hoyland (+ 1172)
Gilbert de Hoyland, 26th sermon on the Song of Songs, 5: Patrologia Latina, t. 184, col. 136 D.
The picture
Staircase in the dormitory of the Cistercian abbey at Aubazine (Corrèze)
Old postcard.
To go further
The windows in the north chapels only date from the 19th century. Previously, behind the solid wall, was the monks' wing, which included a sacristy, the chapter house, the parlour, the study and, upstairs, the monks' dormitory. Part of the dormitory door can be seen next to a window, from where a staircase led down to the church for the monks' night services.
Glossary
Chevet :
in a cross-shaped church plan, the space beyond the transept. It contains the sanctuary with the main altar of the church, sometimes surrounded by an ambulatory and radiating chapels.
Transept :
in a cross-shaped church plan, the space corresponding to the arms of the cross and constituting a transverse nave.
Each part of it : north transept and south transept.
Nave :
in a cross-shaped church plan, the main space crossed by the transept; the central nave is often flanked by side aisles (or collaterals).
Chapel :
small room or, in a church, space equipped with an altar for private prayer or celebrations with limited attendance. This is the meaning used here.