Just Humans Being...

Let's get straight to it. Le Puy-en Velay is not what it seems. Check out the blurb and it appears to be an oasis of Auvergneois (Is that real?) traditionalism, a veritable potage of lentils, impossibly lunar-like cones of volcanic weirdness and down-home hospitality. The reality is that Le Puy is trading upon a fabrication! Merde! Perhaps in the '30s, before the nasty sprawl of scruffiness swamped and obscured what was special and unique about this place, it was worth a detour. Grab a sac of lentilles vertes, climb to a chapel that clings upon a volcanic needle and revel in the remoteness of the region. Now, all you want to do is pass through.Why stay when you see a "Mick Burger". There is a lovely building across the way from our hotel. A former distillery. Could be an old Parisian building from way back when. You know, those French street corner properties that have a graceful curve to them. Easy on the eye, grand without being ostentatious. There is a wonderful ...

After a more relaxing morning - a leisurely buffet breakfast, followed by quick showers, we were back on the road & felt a sense of relief to be away from the outskirts of Paris... Today's journey has been more enjoyable, not so far & seeing the mountains (volcanos) of the Auvergne just makes us feel good! The temperature got up to 19 degrees, while driving through Clermont Ferrand & we were able to have a look at Moulin, a large town near to last night's hotel. Moulin Clermont Ferrand - Look closely & you'll see a woman shaking out a tablecloth from her window!  We are now in a nice hotel in the heart of Le Puy en Velay - such a novelty for us to be in the middle of a city! We're staying for 2 nights, so are looking forward to some sightseeing tomorrow... On the way down to Le Puy One of the volcanic cones in Le Puy Another volcanic cone The view from our room As for tonight, a stroll around the city & a meal out... More photos tomorrow. :) ...