Le Puy en Velay - Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l'Annonciation

Since the early (even pre-Christian) times Le Puy has been a center of pilgrimage. Le Puy was a centre of the cult of Our Lady, already Charlemagne made the pilgrimage to Le Puy twice.

The cathedral is a complex Romanesque structure, kown for a wide variety of styles, located on the steep foot of the "Rocher Corneille". The most parts were erected within the 12th century, influenced by Byzantine architecture. After the French Revolution, that created much damage,the cathedral nearly fell in disrepair, what led to a radical and still very disputed renovation/reconstruction.

I stayed in the "Gîte de la Prévôté", neighbouring the cathedral. Once the "Provost" resided here. The gîte is located on the third floor.

From the window of my room I could see some of the capitals of the bell tower. Here is a crowned mermaid. She has lost one arm. Maybe she is the Queen if all bicaudal mermaids.