Puy en Valey

France celebrates Pentecost Monday instead of Good Friday so we took advantage of this day off school and work and went to Puy en Velay. It was a beautiful city with a lot to see. We climbed up a mountain where a Madonna and child watching over the city. You could see a church perched on another mountain/cliff from that vantage point. The city is known for lace making. Walking up to the cathedral we were able to watch people making lace and also sculpting. After touring the cathedral and seeing the statue we stopped for lunch at a local restaurant.

Thank you Puy en Velay! We will be back!

 The walk up to the cathedral. The left side of the street was lined with lace shops. Beautiful!

 

 Speaks for itself...

 

 Madonna with child.

 

 On the cliff, um I mean hill where the Madonna was. This is the ONLY place we let the kids stand without holding our hands.

 

 A church on a hill/cliff. This is the view of the church from the Madonna.

 

 View of the city of Puy en Velay.

 

 It was a hike to the statue let me tell you.

 

 Family portrait!

 

 And another. The kids were super excited about it can't you tell?

 

 About to start the climb.

 

 Such a pretty view. Pictures don't do it justice.

 

 Looking back at the cathedral.

 

 Random French alley. So pretty.

 

 Looking back.

 

 Inside the church. It was so pretty!

 

 The view from the cathedral.

 

 Hike up to the cathedral.

 

 "Park" by the restaurant.

 

 Exhausted from the day.

 

 Soooo tired.

 

 Lunch time!

 

 A stop on the pilgrimage of St James.

 

A lot of pics of the Williams family in this post...

La Vallee de San-Souci

Charlie and Rick had a few days off a week or 2 ago so we headed about 45 minutes south of Clermont to San-Souci. It was a beautiful hike despite the muddy trail. We were reminded a lot of South Carolina along this hike. We did however notice one thing, for some reason the trees in France or at least in these woods aren't nearly as high or wide as the trees in the US. I will have to do some reading on that to see if I can find any answers. There was also a rushing stream along the hike that was ice cold.

 One of the views of the rushing stream that Charlie continuously tried to fall into.

 

 Even the weeds in France are pretty.

 

 A view from on top of the mountain.

 

 Throwing rocks into the stream.

 

 What's a French hike without some horses?

 

 A nosey picture/we climbed that mountain in the background. It looked a lot more impressive in person.

 

 Proof we were there.

 

Rick explaining something very important and interesting to the kids...

Chadeleuf continued...

We went back and finished this hike and we were not disappointed. Wow. Amazing views, lots of narrow passageways and a neat bridge. One part of the hike even said that we were walking on an old Roman road! The hike ended with essentially a cliff we got to slide - eh - hike down. You've got to love France...

This cat followed us for half of the hike. Ruthie loved it! She named her Fancy. Ask Rick why...

 

 A view of the city from the cliff...

 

 Hiking through the "jungle".

 

 Narrow passageways.

 

 An old bridge. It was so narrow only people or horses could pass over it.

 

 A different view of the bridge.

 

 A neat church in one of the villages we hiked through.

 

 Snow capped mountains in the background. Beautiful.

 

An old Roman road. Or so the sign said.

 

Ruthie not so sure about the hike down. We weren't so sure either. 

Chadeleuf

So we've become hikers. We hiked a little on the weekends in the states but this is a very beautiful part of the country and there are a ton of outdoor things to do here. When you have 3 kids, aged 4 years and under being outside and able to run free is a great way to see the country and make your kids happy at the same time. About 2 weeks ago we went on a hike through the city of Chadeleuf. It was off the beaten path and a beautiful little village and about 20 minutes from Clermont-Ferrand. The trail took us through the countryside/farm land. We hope to do the entire hike soon!

Touring about the city.

 



 Horses along the way.

 

 This cat LOVED Ruthie and followed her around the city.

 Snooping.

 

 There is history everywhere. So amazing.

 

 "Mama look!"

 

 Ditto.

 

 The drive to the village. Montpeyroux in the distance.

 

 A city sign.

 

Driving to the village. Such a beautiful countryside.

 





Part of the trail.