We chance upon one of the 'most beautiful French villages'

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Today, while searching around for good places to take photos of the amazing Millau viaduct, we chanced across the little village of Peyre. This is touted, with good reason, as one of the most beautiful villages in France. Just east of Millau, it is built on the side of a colossal rock above the banks of the river Tarn. Ancient tribes dug caves and caverns out of the rock and large numbers of primitive tools and weapons have been found there. The buildings seem to climb up the rock on which they are built. An ancient church, dedicated to St Christopher, has been created in one of the caves, the bell tower leans against the rock behind it. It still has its stained glass windows although a newer church has now been built in the town. The streets are mostly steps and stairs and tourists are directed to a ‘parc obligataire’. They then walk back to the town itself. The damaged entrance to the old church was restored in 1609. We viewed an art and sculpture exhibition while we were there and met an English couple in a little café where we stopped for a coffee. A small group of accordionists and violinists entertained the visitors and loaves of bread had been cooked in an ancient oven on the main street. We bought a jar of apricot jam from the cafe too. I’m sure it will be delicious. I didn’t know quite who to admire most – those who built the church and houses against the rock or those who were responsible for the fabulous Millau viaduct. The village is a great spot from which to take photos of the viaduct. The photo shows the church which spreads along the rock face rather than out into the street. A massive lump of something similar to limestone protrudes out into the body of the church. I’ll post a photo of that in one of my responses.