Simone Update 30 Aug

Yesterday we went to Le Puy en Velay and visited the cathedral.  I didn't walked up to the Statue of Mary as there must be over a hundred steps to get there.  She is situated on top of one of those ancient volcanic chimneys made of basalt.  They are all over the region.  Today will be a quieter day but the rest of the week will be more visiting relatives and getting ready for the party for Marcel on Sunday.  Some 80 people will be getting together here for that.

The house I am presently staying in has an interesting history.  It was built in the 1800's.  The route going by here towards Lyon was considered dangerous so it was decided by Napoleon Bonaparte to build a house for the "gendarmerie".  There were to be 5 gendarmes so there had to be six rooms, 5 had to have a fireplace for the men as they lived in it, and one to serve as an office for the commander.  On the main floor there were two trap doors with a holding area beneath each one to house those arrested.  There was a barn connected to the house for the horses which has since been demolished.    Since then the house has been divided into two residences noted by the two doors at the front.  Each residence has a downstairs and an upstairs.

- Simone