After a night on a dusty and very hot Aire, we set off towards St Etienne. We travelled on the busiest roads we have encountered on this trip, as we ventured towards this big and busy city.
Saint-Étienne is the thirteenth most populated commune in France and the second most populated commune in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Its metropolis (métropole) is the third most populous regional metropolis after Grenoble-Alpes and Lyon. The commune is also at the heart of a vast metropolitan area with around 1/2 million inhabitants.
Long known as the French city of the “weapon, cycle and ribbon” and a major coal mining centre, Saint-Étienne is currently engaged in a vast urban renewal program aimed at leading the transition from the industrial city inherited from the 19th century to the “design capital” of the 21st century. The city is currently undergoing renewal, with the installation of the Châteaucreux business district, the steel shopping centre and the creative manufacturing district.
The city is known for its football club AS Saint-Étienne, which has won the Ligue 1 title a joint-record ten times
We left this sprawling city and headed to Sainte Croix En Jarez La Chartreuse. An unusual place, and unique in that a Chartreuse (Charthusion Monastery) has become a village!
Marked by 500 years of monastic presence whose key words were “Prayer, Solitude and Silence”, the Site opened by the will of the people and as a result of the Revolution. New inhabitants have invaded the place, transforming this retreat, reserved for a privileged few, into a living village open to the world.
The presence of the old monastery in the very heart of the village, gives it a unique charm and character. It is a protected village and considered one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France.
It was worth travelling up the winding roads to see this impressive place. Lunch in the grounds and then time to move on.
Passing more signs of the Tour de France we headed along the toll roads to Volvic; the area of volcanoes and lakes!
Volvic is located in the heart of a landscape shaped by volcanic eruptions and is now internationally renowned for the purity of its water. But the city was first known for its grey and resistant stone, exploited as early as the 12th century. The village has a lot of heritage: narrow streets lined with stone buildings, fountains, feudal castle, Romanesque church, and museums. The municipality, which extends over nearly 30km², includes 17 villages. Volvic is also one of the gateways to the Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Natural Park and has a regional nature reserve and a protected nature area.
The Brindley Boxer 