Usson

A little village surmounting Saint-Rémy de Chargnat, historically famous. It had a castle, destroyed on orders of Richelieu, which had previously been the residence of Marguerite de Valois (the Reine Margot).

It is a favourite destination of ours for end-of-year visits as an optimum point of proximity/outstanding beauty and inspiration. I had a school friend (Vignal) who lived there.

Visits

• 30 December (2005).
• 7 April (2006).
• 23 April (2011).
• 30 December (2019).

Gallery

30 December 2005

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  The church of Usson (Église Saint-Maurice), in December 2005.
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  View of the valley (id.)
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  The walls (id.)

7 April 2006

With Fabrice's parents and Onyx.

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  Les orgues basaltiques, a peculiar stone formation.
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  Ascending.
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  And resting (my father was already badly ill).
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  At the top, with splendid views of the Cézalier.
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  Monitoring...
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  And identifying.
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  We had no end of fun putting names on the familiar shapes of my childhood skyline.
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  Sometimes not with a grain of doubt.
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  At the top stands la Vierge d'Usson, 1893, dedicated to the safety of aviators.
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  With its chapel, it stands 7m high. The baby Jesus holds wheat.
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  Elena and Fabrice at the Virgin's foot.
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  Back to the village.
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  Less time was spent there.
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  As it was already familiar to everybody.
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  But still we had time for further stories and explanations.

30 December 2019

With Lionel and his children, and Ingrid.

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  Our little congregation in the blazing lights of the evening (Julia down the wall with Fabrice taking the picture).
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  The stairs to the church.
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  Tonton carrying Julia towards the top.
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  Julia exploring the orgues.
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  Saint-Rémy-de-Chargnat preparing the New Year's Eve celebrations.
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  Notre-Dâme d'Usson crowning the hill.
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  Lionel and Elena with the Puy-de-Dôme in background.
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  Everybody, by the volcanos.
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  Elena before the sunset.