Auvergne, France
Puy de Sancy (Occitan: puèi de la Crotz, Mount of the Cross) is the highest mountain in the Massif Central. It is part of an ancient stratovolcano which has been inactive for about 220,000 years.
The northern and southern slopes are used for skiing, and a number of cablecars and skilifts ascend the mountain. Skiing has been practised on the mountain since the early 20th century. Two local priests traversed the Puy de Sancy on skis in 1905. In 1936, a cable car link was built from Mont-Dore to one of the needles just below the summit. In December 1965, a cable car accident injured ten passengers and killed seven others. Super-Besse is another ski resort, located on the southwestern slope.
The valley to the north is also the source of two streams called Dore and Dogne, which unite to form the Dordogne River, which flows through the nearby spa town of Mont-Dore and on to the Gironde estuary.
Church Bells During the Sunday Farmers' Market in Auvergne, France
I am making an exception here and posting this clip on YouTube -- it already exists on Dailymotion under LisaFalour. I do two channels on YT: CUTECATFAITH and SLOBOMOTION. I try not to duplicate anything among the three places.
I think this clip will fit in with this channel okay, however, and I hope you like it!
copyright 2012 Lisa B. Falour, B.S., M.B.A. all rights reserved LISA, INC. (EURL) cutecatfaith.com
Since we were headed for a vacation in the Lubéron region of France and that is very far from where we live in Paris, my Parisian spouse chose Murol in Auvergne as a stopping point for a week. Yay! The high altitude here does affect your health, so plan and drink a lot of water.
This church is Romanesque in style and 12th c. Aren't the bells lovely? We had just missed the Mass, which I would have liked to attend, but we then toured the church. This town is known for spas and a special type of cheese, Saint-Nectaire.
The market was not huge and I recognized some of the vendors in other villages later in the week. It was nice to say hi to them! I got a lot of fresh food here for about five euros, but I regret I did not buy more rosé wine from a local family! It was less than 2 euros per bottle, a Gamay, and was the best I have ever had. This region is in central France and there are many volcanoes, castles and spas here, and it is superb for sports in Summer and Winter! This church features the flower of life motif and is one of about five in the region which are considered hugely important, architecturally. No one is sure about the origins of this place, which has a lot of pagan and Roman origins. This part of France is especially family-friendly. Despite the dangerous terrain, I saw many babies and toddlers, all fine. Pets are also generally welcome.
If you want some help dealing with France, I can advise. I do charge, but it's all declared.
One negative note: food prices around this area can be a little high. If you rent a furnished place here, as we did, you might want to pack and take some basic supplies. Most things in supermarkets here started at 4 euros per item! We are talking a box of generic ... breakfast cereal? I don't eat that, but hey!
I really liked the people of this area, and I often do not take well to the French. Les Auvergnats tend to be talkative, open, honest and show a lot of solidarity, even if you are a stranger. Perhaps it is the terrain. I don't know. I did note a difference in this region, however, and so did my spouse. If you speak French, you can definitely gab around here! And find out everything!
Wild wind in Auvergne (France, Puy de Dôme, Puy de la Tache, Mont-Dore)
Near from the top of the Puy de la Tache mountain, there was a strong wind, with fog, cold, snowdrift because of this wind, terrible weather!!
So, once again, I gave up my hiking in Auvergne through volcano as the last time, 3 weeks ago...
I will try again another time
Bucovine.com - Mogosoaia 1/2
Le Palais de Mogosoaia (situé à 15 km de Bucarest) construit en 1598. Le prince Constantin Brancoveanu achète plusieurs terrains et des maisons de nobles et commence à faire construire pour son fils Stefan, un château qui est inspiré par son Palais de Potlogi (bâti en 1698). L'architecture du Palais de Mogosoaia est une synthèse d'architecture byzantine, de la Renaissance italienne et valaque, connue sous le nom de « style brancovan ». Le prince Constantin Brancoveanu a également fait construire une église en 1688 à l'entrée du domaine. Sur la façade du palais l'un des plus beau élément d'architecture est une « loggia » d'inspiration vénitienne a arcades trilobées. Un somptueux escalier extérieur mène de la Cour d'Honneur vers une terrasse, de celle-ci on accède aux grands salons de réception. Cest à l'étage qu'on trouve les salons officiels et les chambres de la famille princière. La terrasse et les chambres princières ont été décorées avec du stuc oriental et des peintures murales représentant la famille princière et des scènes historiques.