Le Puy-en-Velay

Rank: Top 1000

Wonder Type: Cultural

Country: France

Best of: Architecture, Old Town, Medieval

Le Puy-en-Velay is a commune in the Haute-Loire department in south-central France near the Loire river. The city is famous for its cathedral, for a kind of lentil, and for its lace-making. Le Puy-en-Velay's most striking attraction is the Cathédrale Notre-Dame du Puy, dating chiefly from the first half of the 12th century. The façade, striped in courses of white sandstone and black volcanic breccia, is reached by a flight of sixty steps, and consists of three orders, the lowest composed of three high arcades opening into the porch, which extends beneath the first bays of the nave. [More Details]