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
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.