Le Puy en Velay

Stunning

The Gorges of the Loire and the Haute-Loire are just awesome. If we come back next year as planned we will put down roots for a week in this area. But we will cheat and catch the train past the big hills. I cannot see how Provence or Luberon can be any more beautiful. I guess we will find out.

We spent the morning criss-crossing the Loire in awe of the stunning beauty and the way the French have moulded the environment to suit their needs. Castles abounded. The river was swift flowing in parts,

slow in others. Small canals led to small power stations, the railway was hewn out of solid rock. We stopped for morning tea at a small town and had a long chat to the owner of the boulangerei. She was delightful. Sally used her video but we have no way of uploading at the moment.

And then we rolled into Le Puy en Velay. Every French person I have met raves about Le Puy. Now I know why. It is set in a large bowl shaped valley. In the middle are several volcanic plugs where only the very core remains.

Not a problem. Just build a church on top of this one. How about a 259 tonne statue on that one. The streets are narrow, steep, cobble-stoned with cars severely restricted.

We wandered the streets in the evening and planned how to play tourist the next day. When we awoke it was raining, and we headed out to our first stop for the day. The Chapel of St Michel.

It sits atop a volcanic plug. 268 steps straight up to the top. L’Église Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe itself dates from 969 and is very peaceful and simple inside. The view from the top is amazing. But you really need a rotating camera to capture it all .
Our next stop was going to be the cloister gardens of the Cathedral but they were closed for lunch. It was bitterly cold so we found a creperie where we both chose salted caramel/pear crepes. Divine.
After lunch we headed back to the cathedral where there is a black Madonna with a black baby Jesus. Most unusual for France.
Sally found a classic styled beret in a brocante which graced her head for the rest of the day.

Le Puy en Velay is a must see town in France. Add it to your bucket list.