[FRANCE.AUVERGNE 28907] 'Foggy beech forest.' The beech forests near Le Courpou Sauvage in the Vallée de Mandailles (Cantal) attain a magical quality in foggy conditions. Photo Paul Smit.

[FRANCE.AUVERGNE 28950] ’Santoire valley.’ The valley of the Santoire in the centre of the Cantal owes its U-shaped form to the eroding action of a glacier. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

[FRANCE.AUVERGNE 28947] ’Puy Mary.’ During a hike on the slopes of the Puy de Peyre-Arse one has a fine view of summit of the Puy Mary, the most prominent mountain of the Cantal. It is the leftover of a central lava chimney of the Cantal volcano, once the largest stratovolcano of Europe. Erosion by Ice Age glaciers later caused its pyramid shape. Photo Paul Smit

[FRANCE.AUVERGNE 28946] ’Salers cows near Puy Mary.’ During a hike at the foot of the Puy Mary in the centre of the Cantal one is sure to encounter some freely roaming Salers cows. They supply the milk from which the famous Cantal cheese is made. Photo Paul Smit

[FRANCE.AUVERGNE 28944] ’Church roof in Cheylade.’ The 17th century roof of the romanesque church in Cheylade (northern Cantal) has many compartments adorned with small paintings in a naive style: flowers, angels, plants animals and celestial bodies. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

[FRANCE.AUVERGNE 28942] ’Church roof in Cheylade.’ The 17th century roof of the romanesque church in Cheylade (northern Cantal) has many compartments adorned with small paintings in a naive style: flowers, angels, plants animals and celestial bodies. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

[FRANCE.AUVERGNE 28939] ’St. Nectaire cheeses.’ Betty Trapenat, a farmer's wife at the Ferme de Fontaneix at Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise (department Puy-de-Dôme), holds two St. Nectaire cheeses, while Salers cows, the suppliers of the milk from the cheese is made, are looking on curiously. In the background there is a "buron", a barn where once the cheeses were made and laid to ripen. Photo Paul Smit.

[FRANCE.AUVERGNE 28937] ’Barn near Salers.’ The Cantal still has many old "burons": barns were once cheese was (and sometimes still is) made and laid to ripen. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

[FRANCE.AUVERGNE 28934] ’Entombment of Christ in Salers.’ The St. Matthieu church of Salers in the western Cantal has a splendid late medieval stone statue group depicting the interment of Christ. It is a work of the Burgundian school but also shows Flemish influences. In the centre Mary is consoled by St. John and the two extremities are occupied by the old men Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea. Mary Magdalene can be recognized by her free flowing hair. She is carrying a jar with aromatics for the anointing of the body. Photo Paul Smit.

[FRANCE.AUVERGNE 28933] ’Guardian at entombment of Christ in Salers.’ The St. Matthieu church of Salers in the western Cantal has a splendid late medieval stone statue group depicting the interment of Christ. It is a work of the Burgundian school but also shows Flemish influences. Here we see the roman guard of the grave. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

[FRANCE.AUVERGNE 28929] ’Salers.’ Salers is a beautifully preserved little town in the western Cantal. Although its walls consist of black basalt from the volcanic surroundings the use lighter pointing lends the houses and countless turrets a more friendly image. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

[FRANCE.AUVERGNE 28931] ’Salers.’ Salers is a beautifully preserved little town in the western Cantal. Although its walls consist of black basalt the use lighter pointing lends the houses and countless turrets a more friendly image. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

[FRANCE.AUVERGNE 28951] ’Castle of Vixouze.’ The central keep of the Château de Vixouze near Polminhac in the Cantal dates from the 13th century, but the castle has been remodelled and extended in the 15- 18th century. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

[FRANCE.AUVERGNE 28949] ’Impradine valley.’ Hiker near Lavigerie in the Impradine valley in the centre of the Cantal. Photo Paul Smit

[FRANCE.AUVERGNE 28948] ’Horses on the slopes of the Puy de Peyre-Arse.’ Freely roaming horses on the slopes of the Puy de Peyre-Arse in the centre of the Cantal. Photo Paul Smit

[FRANCE.AUVERGNE 28945] ’View from the Puy Mary.’ When one looks down from the summit of the Puy Mary (Cantal) in an easterly direction, the mountain ridge of the Brèche de Roland comes into view: the eroded remnant of an ancient lava flow. In the upper right corner the Puy Griou is visible. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

[FRANCE.AUVERGNE 28943] ’Church roof in Cheylade.’ The 17th century roof of the romanesque church in Cheylade (northern Cantal) has many compartments adorned with small paintings in a naive style: flowers, angels, plants animals and celestial bodies. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

[FRANCE.AUVERGNE 28940] ’Mary and child in Moussages.’ The church of Moussages, a village in the northern Cantal, boasts a romanesque St. Mary and child. In former days the wooden statue was taken to a mountain chapel during the summer transhumance, where it gave the shepherds spiritual relief during their heavy work. After a well traveled life, which has lefts its marks on mother and son, they now enjoy a tranquil life in an alcove in the village church. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

[FRANCE.AUVERGNE 28938] ’Cheese making near Salers.’ In Navaste near Salers you can witness how "Cantal" and "Salers" cheeses are made. The Cantal is famous for its cheeses. Photo Paul Smit.

[FRANCE.AUVERGNE 28936] ’Entombment of Christ in Salers.’ The St. Matthieu church of Salers in the western Cantal has a splendid late medieval stone statue group depicting the interment of Christ. It is a work of the Burgundian school but also shows Flemish influences. Here we see a lamenting St. Mary, consoled by another female saint. Photo Paul Smit .

[FRANCE.AUVERGNE 28935] ’Entombment of Christ in Salers.’ The St. Matthieu church of Salers in the western Cantal has a splendid late medieval stone statue group depicting the interment of Christ. It is a work of the Burgundian school but also shows Flemish influences. On the left Mary is weaping over her dead son. On the right Mary Magdalene can be recognized by her free flowing hair. She is carrying a jar with aromatics for the anointing of the body. Photo Paul Smit.Photo Paul Smit .

[FRANCE.AUVERGNE 28932] ’Entombment of Christ in Salers.’ The St. Matthieu church of Salers in the western Cantal has a splendid late medieval stone statue group depicting the interment of Christ. It is a work of the Burgundian school but also shows Flemish influences. In the centre Mary is consoled by St. John, with Mary Magdalene more to the right (with free flowing hair). The two extremities are occupied by the old men Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea. In the alcove to the right is the roman guard of the grave. Photo Paul Smit .

[FRANCE.AUVERGNE 28930] ’Salers.’ Salers is a beautifully preserved little town in the western Cantal. Although its walls consist of black basalt from the volcanic surroundings the use lighter pointing lends the houses and countless turrets a more friendly image. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

[FRANCE.AUVERGNE 28928] ’Salers.’ Salers is a beautifully preserved little town in the western Cantal. Although its walls consist of black basalt from the volcanic surroundings the use lighter pointing lends the houses and countless turrets a more friendly image. Photo Paul Smit.