Rock climbing

Delicious, cool weather swept into Lyon on Thursday. Which rendered plans for the weekend slightly ironic, given that we'd booked a hotel with a swimming pool high up in the Haute Loire to cool down from the expected heat wave. Still, it was reasonably sunny as we drove up on Friday afternoon, and we did manage a short swim in the rather chilly, supposedly heated water on arrival. A tasty menu du jour and early night followed, and the next morning we set out for scenic drive to the touristic capital of La Haute Loire, Le Puy-en-Velay.

Saturday was naturally market day, so the town was teeming and the car parks all full. Eventually we found a space in the underground car park and emerged in bright sunlight ready to explore. First stop the market square for a much-needed drink, and then it was off again. Up, up and further up the narrow streets we climbed, heading towards the cathedral and the Rocher Corneille. Impressive bell tower, interior and cloister all seen and snapped, we headed out and up once again. Up we climbed, 132 metres, 262 steps, all the way to the top of the Rocher Corneille from where the Statue de Notre Dame de France reigns over the town, and further on up the inside of the statue to peer out through the peepholes in the top.

All climbed out, with camera memory cards rapidly filling, we headed downhill in search of refreshment, but once refuelled we continued the day's climbing program. Off to the Rocher St Michel d'Aiguilhe and the 10th century chapel perched on top of it. Astounding how such a building was erected on top of a sheer-faced 82 metre high rock (formed by an underwater volcano eons ago) more than a thousand years ago. It was hard enough merely climbing the 268 steps to the top bearing only cameras and small rucsacs. But make it to the top we did, and more stunning views ensued.

Exhausted, we headed down and back to the hotel. Another tasty dinner and another early night followed. In the morning, we checked out and took a long and winding route home. Heading west we picked up the Loire and followed it upstream back towards Le Puy. Stopping off for drinks in the picturesque village of Chamalières we then headed north from Puy-en-Velay and enjoyed a late lunch of confit de poule in Polignac, in the shadow of a ruined fortress. Afterwards we climbed once more, up the rock to visit the ancient castle perched on top of yet another volcanic plug. And just for good measure, we climbed to the top of the donjon for more panoramic views of the Haute Loire countryside. From there it was all downhill, through St Etienne and back to cool, cloudy Lyon and the mundanities of everyday life on Monday morning.