Le Puy en Velay

Since the early (even pre-Christian) times Le Puy has been a center of pilgrimage. From the 11th century on, this was one of the points from where pilgrims started their way to Santiago de Compostella. I had walked through Le Puy, when I had started in Geneva in 2008 - and I remember my feelings, when I saw the peaks the first time - in pouring rain.

Seen in the center is the Cathedral Notre-Dame from the 12th century and the Romanesque belltower (7 storeys).

On the peak "behind" the cathedral is the iron statue of "Notre-Dame de France". It was made from 213 Russian cannons taken in the "Siege of Sevastopol" (1854–1855) - and stands up there since 1860.

To the left is Saint Michel d'Aiguilhe.