Au revoir, Auvergne

The exams are graded (nice work, mes étudiants!), the bags are packed, and I'm going for one last café au lait before I catch the train to Paris.  Since my work was done, I was finally able to see the interior of the Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption de Clermont-Ferrand.  They are doing some renovation work inside, but it doesn't detract from the spectacular stained glass windows against the dark volcanic rock walls. 

View of the altar.  The sunlight is streaming so brightly that you can't get any window detail.

Closer shot of windows.  I didn't have my real camera - just my phone - so I couldn't get good close-up shots.  Even if I could, I don't think it would have really captured the qualities of these windows.

Since yesterday was my last day, I made one final run up to the town of Royat, famous for its spa waters.  I decided to go a little further up the hill. My reward? A waterfall in a park in the middle of town.

I'm looking forward to Paris, but I will miss being in Clermont.  I will miss the town with its parks, squares, and mix of medieval and modern.  I will miss the Chaine des Puys, which can be seen from any spot in town.  I will miss using the twin spires of the cathedral and the Puy de Dome as my navigational guides.  I will miss the family-run cafe where I seem to have become a regular, as they now automatically bring me my café au lait.  Most of all, I will miss my new friends who have welcomed me so generously that I can never thank them enough.

So au revoir, Clermont-Ferrand, Auvergne, and my Auvergnat friends.  J'espère vous voir bientôt.