© irene waters 2014
From the portico of the 11-12th century Romanesque Cathedral Notre-Dame of Le Puy one looks down. From this point the long flight of 60 stairs that one needs to descend to get to the steeply descending street below cannot be seen. Once descended you can turn and look up at flight of stairs.
© irene waters 2014
© irene waters 2014
Where ever you stand in Le Puy-en-Velay you either look up or you look down.
© irene waters 2014
Situated on the highest hill in the town, Corneille Peak, the cast-iron statue of Notre-Dame-de-France (The Virgin Mary) stands 53 feet high, overlooking the town and seen from many angles. The statue, presented to the town in 1860, was made from the melted down cannons which were taken in the Siege of Sevastopol (1854 -55).
© irene waters 2014
© irene waters 2014
On the outskirts of town a 10-11th century church, Saint-Michel-d’Aiguilhe sits atop an irregular volcanic plug around 260 feet high. One has no choice but to look up.
Every morning, after being blessed, pilgrims begin their pilgrimage from the Cathedral to Santiago de Compostela. The cathedral was declared a Unesco World Heritage site in 1998, as part of the “Routes of Santiago de Compestala in France.”
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
60 stairs! just to go down? dang, that’s quite the decent. Very nice photos 🙂
LikeLike
Better down than up.😀
LikeLike
I remember Saint-Michel-d’Aiguilhe, beautiful spot.
LikeLike
It’s a place you can’t forget as it looms up in front of you.
LikeLike
Nice post. One of my favourite places. Its on the edge of the central plateau of France with many extinct volcanic peaks. Never been onto the plateau proper, just seen it on TV when the Tour de France goes through it. Will have to go back some time……
LikeLike
Thanks. We didn’t go onto the plateau either (as far as I’m aware). When you do….. photos please.
LikeLike
What a beautiful place. You’re right, the views are incredible whichever way you look. Thank you for linking this to the Up Down Challenge. Debbie x
LikeLike
Most certainly is beautiful and very up and down. Thanks for commenting
LikeLike
Very clever post Irene, with the views either up or down!
LikeLike
Thanks Sherri.
LikeLike