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Blesle - Scene of Fairy Tales

by erato 

(about Blesle, France, added on Aug 19, 2009)

Blesle is a small village in Haute-Loire department, Auvergne region, central France. It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen and surely the most beautiful village.

Blesle - the village that went back in time

We were just wondering on the narrow streets between houses that look like some historical monuments. We saw a tower on the top of a hill for instance, it was very old and very beautiful so we got up the hill to see what museum or monument is it (you can find it on picture nr. 34 in the Blesle - Pearl of France gallery). When we got up on a romantic path with wooden stairs we saw that it’s a family house and the family was sitting and chatting in the garden. There were also many deserted stone houses, it was very sad, we even thought we might buy one for our old days.

There is a wonderful church in the center of the village built in roman style in the 11th century and recently renovated. It’s made of colorful ashlars and has breathtaking colored-glass windows. There is a lovely little square in front of the church surrounded by old stone houses; it’s just like in the Middle Ages.

Blesle - What you can't miss

We also found a very sweet antique shop with very many nice things, it is on the Rue de la Bonale, don’t miss it if you are in Blesle. We bought five objects (a beautiful wooden pipe, a copper petroleum lamp etc.) in the value of 22 € but we negotiated a little bit and paid only….15 - yes 15 € for everything. 

Blesle also has a family brewery at one end of the village. It is a very nice small factory, the owner was very kind, he opened and gave us some good local beer even if we arrived when he already closed (fermé = closed, it is useful as well). They also have good medicine plants and you can even take a look at the inside of the factory, if you ask them.

People are kind, helpful here and also very calm. We saw many people playing Pantheque on the yards. Pantheque is a traditional French ball game: one small, colorful ball is like 8 m away from you and the aim is to hit this small ball with some bigger and heavier metal balls. We also tried it and it’s very nice and amusing!

I would gladly live in such a place, but still, it might be a little annoying that strange tourists sometimes just walk into your yard looking for all sorts of museums. Crazy people! :)
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1. Aug 6, 2009 Paris – the City of Long Queues (Paris)
2. Aug 7, 2009 Brioude - the Quaint Town (Brioude)
3. Aug 10, 2009 Blesle - Scene of Fairy Tales (Blesle)

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