Jean
Paul picked us up to go to Le Puy en Velay 123 km south. Le Puy is
medieval with volcanic plugs in and around the town.
It
was market day so the town was buzzing. We walked around the markets
then up the steep, wide steps to Cathédral
Notre Dame. A most unusual building as the entrance steps emerge in
the middle of the church as it was extended. Each morning there is a
service for the pilgrims who are walking the way of St Jacques de
Compostela. Jean Paul was a great guide of the building. Organ and
trumpet were practising. We left by a side door and walked back down
the hill.
Up
and up and up to St-Michel d'Aiguilhe a tiny chapel perched on a
gigantic lava needle. When we arrived there were men singing then
humming. Jean Paul joined in some of the singing. The acoustics
were great.
We
drove along the upper reaches of the river Loire to to meet cousin
Guy at the door of another romanesque church in Chamalieres sur
Loire. The old doors were unusual as they showed moorish influence.
Guy
then suggested we should stop at of small town of Beauzac on the way
to his summer house. Old Beauzac still had part of the town wall and
several doors/portes. The church was one third romanesque, one third
gothic and one third old house. This was Guy's church so he was our
guide for the church and the crypt.
Mary
Claudine had prepared an aperitif dinatore [finger food] for us. We sat and
talked into the evening. An amazing day!
How lovely to have your own personal church guide!
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