Paray-le-Monial (Saône-
et-Loire), Notre-Dame,
nave. Photograph
courtesy of Whitney
S.Stoddard.
The interior spaces of the two monuments are similar: tall, narrow naves capped by
pointed barrel vaults and strengthened by pointed transverse arches. The interior
elevation of Paray-le-Monial consists of a pointed nave arcade, a blind triforium of three
recessed arches separated by fluted pilasters, and a clerestory with three windows framed
by arches. The precocious nature of the structure is stated by the clerestory and pointed
barrel vaults supported by thick walls but no flying buttresses.
The unusual feature of Paray-le-Monial, as well as of Cluny, is the use of Roman
decorative elements, fluted pilasters, that appear on nave piers capped by Corinthiantype
capitals, which also decorate the triforium and clerestory. This use of the classical order
with base, shaft, and capital is based on Roman monuments, such as the gates at Autun.
In spite of this influence, the Romanesque master mason violated the Roman classical
proportions by attenuating the pilaster, especially on the nave arcade.
Light plays a strong role in the nave of Paray-le-Monial by the clerestory and more
dramatically in the east end, with light admitted in four vertical levels and four planes in
space. Light penetrates the choir in three windows in
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