Le-Puy-en-Velay, 29.08.2016

The city is situated in the Haute-Loire département near the Loire river. It is famous for its cathedral, for a kind of lentil, and for its lace-making.
The first view of the cathedral All routes seem to lead uphill... ..like this one... ...and often involve steps.
First glimpse of the cathedral entrance The hill up to the cathedral View down the hill from the cathedral steps This place is not quite what it seems...
Cathedral entrance The cathedral's famous black Madonna Black Madonna Cathedral interior
Cathedral tower Side door to the cathedral Cathedral tower Panorama
View of the cathedral from Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe, a 10-century chapel on an adjacent volcanic plug The same view, giving an idea of how just high Saint Michel d'Aiguilhe is... Statue of Notre–Dame de la France, 16 metres high and erected in 1860. 213 cannon captured at Sevastopol during the Crimean war were melted down to build the metal structure. You can climb the statue.
Sanctuaire Saint-Joseph De Bon Espoir Forteresse de Polignac Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe, a 10-century chapel on an adjacent volcanic plug in Aiguilhe near Le-Puy-en-Velay Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe interior with murals
Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe interior with murals and stained glass window Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe interior with murals and stained glass windows Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe interior with murals and stained glass window Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe interior with stained glass window
Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe entrance Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe as part of the town silhouette Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe Square below the cathedral
Square below the cathedral Typical tall and narrow houses in the old centre Typical houses around the market square Hotel le Régina
Bit of colour D7F 3011 Antique window boxes Side street
A glimpse of Notre–Dame de la France in the setting sun Town house Pagès Distillerie de la Verveine du Velay, which distills verbene A street in the old centre
Spot of voyeurism Nighttime illuminations Cathedral entrance illuminated Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe illuminated