Walking the Camino de Santiago
The Chapelle Sainte-Madeleine de Monistrol-d’Allier is partway up the long, steep slope out of the Allier river valley. Christians have been coming to the grotto here since at least the 13th century, but the current chapel façade was only built in the 17th century. This was the original home of the recumbent statue of Saint Mary Magdalene that currently resides down […]
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The Way out of Monistrol d’Allier was up and up and up. It was wicked steep up out of the river valley, and the temperature was climbing quickly as well. One consolation was that much of it was under tree cover. Along the way, I passed through this narrow gorge separating two gargantuan boulders. Although I’m sure they were deeply […]
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Locked within the parish church of Saint-Pierre de Monistrol are two statues that originated in completely different churches. I believe they were moved here in 1905, when the French government finally declared a separation of church and state and returned (most of) the goods and properties seized from churches in the Revolution. There was some sort of kerfluffle about inventorying […]
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After second breakfast, which consisted of half a sandwich and Coca-Cola, I headed to the charming little 12th century parish church of Saint-Pierre. This was originally a priory church, and it’s clearly had a number of changes and “restorations” over the centuries. Note that fenced off area to the right. More on that Monday! This is catch-up content! I’m posting […]
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The Allier is one of the main tributaries of the Loire. I’m crossing it on M. Eiffel’s bridge. It’s 9:30 in the morning, and the temperature was already over 70° F (21° C) and rapidly climbing, and I was hoping to find second breakfast on the other side of the river. This is a look back over my shoulder. Apologies […]
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The village of Monistrol-d’Allier straddles the Allier river. The bridge over the river was designed by Gustave Eiffel, whose slightly more famous tower was constructed the following year in Paris. The climb down was steep, but it was nothing compared to the ascent on the other side. First, though, some food and a quick look around the village. Date: 19 […]
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The village of Monistrol-d’Allier sits in a river valley, and it’s a long, steep climb down and then back up again. Here, I’m approaching the upper outskirts of the village, and I’ve still got a a way to go before I get to my second breakfast down in the heart of the village. Date: 19 August 2023 Place: approaching Monistrol-d’Allier, […]
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Among the scattered houses and fields of the village of Pratclaux I saw more cats than villagers, though I did meet several pilgrims. Here a passing pilgrim says hello to one of the locals. Date: 19 August 2023 Place: Pratclaux, Haute-Loire Département, Region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France Maps!
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The Way down from Rochegude into the valley of the L’Allier river was steep, some of the steepest downhill trail I’d walked so far. And after yesterday’s hill scramble, that’s saying something. This is not a trail I’d want to walk without sticks. And I certainly can’t imagine walking this part when I was tired or if it were raining. […]
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The view from Rochegude into the valley of the L’Allier river below is truly stunning. Here I’m standing next to the little Chapelle Saint-Jacques de Rochegude. You can see why this was such a strategic spot in the medieval era. The ruins of the watchtower are being me. Date: 19 August 2023 Place: Rochegude, Haute-Loire Département, Region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France […]
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