Estaing

Up early today. I skipped coffee and breakfast, leaving with only two bottles of water (chilled overnight), a half a bag of raisins, and a little regret for missing some places I wanted to visit yesterday. I went “off path” by accident—one is never “lost” on a pilgrimage.

Today was going to be a hot one. I got up early and ready my gear. I walked to the medieval gate and waited by the church (one of my best opportunities from yesterday) in the dark. The blurred photos I’m uploading represent homage to missed opportunities.

I crossed the River Lot on an old historic bridge and continued west and south to the first stop of the day: the Vierge Notre-Dame de Vemus, it sits atop a rock on the highest point in the valley through which River Lot runs.

Then I descended to the outskirts of Espalion—another town on the list of France’s 20th most beautiful Villages. Before heading to town, I stopped one of the two ancient churches on tap for today: the beautiful little Church called ÉGLISE SAINT-HILARIAN-SAINTE-FOY. It’s an 11th century Romanesque Chapel dedicated to a local Saint who win legend is associated with Charlemagne.

Then I proceeded into Espalion proper along the river walk. This is a ridiculously beautiful place on any day, but today was market day so there was lots of activity. And it features one of the two most beautiful bridges that I visited today. Looking for breakfast, I came across really nice Church in the center of town.

After stopping at the church, I had breakfast at the café commerce. The kitchen was not really in service, but the proprietor served up a wonderful quiche and salad with great café crème. As my wife says, hunger is the best season. I ate the meal with the relish.

Up next on the following footprint is a description of a visit to Eglise de Saint-Pierre-De-Bessuéjouls (a UNESCO world heritage site) and the continuation of my day on the way to Estaing.Læs mere