L'Ascension

Today is the Ascension Day holiday, an official holiday in France always celebrated on a Thursday.  Offices, schools (including L'Universite d'Auvergne), and many other places are closed today, and the French tend to make it a long weekend.  Our students seem to have done the same thing and are traveling (some to Bordeaux), but Jamie and Kathy and I walked around Clermont-Ferrand, which was surprisingly busy.

Notre-Dame du Port - built around the beginning of the 12th century.  Romanesque architecture.  Home of the "Black Madonna" icon - there is a pilgrimage each year when the statue is transported.

Interior of Notre-Dame du Port

Street view of Clermont-Ferrand in Le Port area surrounding the church.

Cathedral Notre-Dame de l'Assomption.  This is the church whose spires can be seen in most pictures of the city.  It's made of volcanic lava rock, but that's not the reason for its dark color.  Despite L'Ascension being a religious holiday, the cathedral was closed and we could not go in.

Side of Cathedral Notre-Dame de l'Assomption

We have also enjoyed listening to Jamie practicing his French as we walk around town: "L'homme cour" as the random jogger went by; "l'homme mange" walking by a man eating. We did get a bit confused when Jamie tried to tell us in French that a lady was a hat.

We finished our walking tour with Nutella crepes at Place de Jaude ... a heavenly finish to seeing beautiful churches.  We might have to go back for the "sandwich Americain" we saw advertised at one shop - it looked like a sub-length hamburger Philly cheesesteak with French fries stuffed inside.  Or not ...à plus tard!