Places in Story

St Flour

Once the capital of Haute Auvergne; this stern old town is perched on a basalt terrace 300 feet above the valley of the Lander. The streets are picturesque and are lined with 16th century houses. The 15th Century cathedral has the tough architecture almost like that of a castle. Inside the nave hangs the beautiful large 13th century wooden Christ figure - the black Bon Dieu Noir. Next to the Cathedral in the former Maison Consulaire is a decorative arts museum. For a reasonable priced and friendly hotel, - stay opposite the Cathedral in the Hotel des Roches, in the Place d'Armes. Tel 04 71 60 09 70. The rooms are clean, modern, comfortable and there is an excellent restaurant downstairs.
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Just off the A75 E11 between Clermont-Ferrand and Millau



Château d'Alleuze

The ruins of this romantic 13th century castle, on a hill in the Truyère river valley, now overlook the deep water dammed up by the Grandval Dam, and an often swirling river - the Ternes down a connecting valley. Above the village of Alleuze can be approached by a footpath highlighted by crosses that connected two chapels.
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On the D40 between St Flour and Chaudes-Aigues

Montpellier

Sometimes known as Capital of Southern Europe or as Stendhal put it 'the only French city of the interior that doesn't look stupid'. On the salt route, and the via domita, as well as the pilgrimage route to Compostela, a medical school was in operation as early as 1000AD., which now has grown into a thriving university, bringing in students from abroad as well as France. Wonderful open squares and avenues. Full of energy, with much to explore. Wanting a place to eat for Lunch - why not visit Restaurant le Puits St. Anne, just below the Eglise St Anne.
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©Giles Denmark/Giles Mitchell 1996. Worldwide Copyright.