Saint Saturnin

My cousin's daughter Lena and I on Market Square

This week, we are visiting family in Auvergne, my native region, located in central France. And today, we went to Saint Saturnin, a small town of about 1150 inhabitants, where my cousin and his family reside. St Saturnin was built on a lava flow high above the gorges of the river Monne and overlooking the Veyre valley, it is encircled on three sides by the hills of the regional nature park of the Volcanoes of Auvergne. Towering over the village, its church and castle with their volcanic stonework form a spectacular and remarkably homogeneous duo. The church, built in the 12th century, is the smallest of the five major Romanesque churches in Auvergne. Its pyramidal shape draws the eye heavenward and the arches, often in groups of three, probably symbolize the Trinity. Also, the Royal Castle built in the 13th century by the La Tour d’Auvergne family who established itself on this estate in 1281. A perfect example of a large medieval chateau carefully restored, it was continually enlarged and embellished up until the end of the 15th century.  While walking around Saint Saturnin, you’ll also discover dry stone walls and terraces, beautiful small squares and typical narrow streets, this is no surprise that it has been listed as one of the most quaint villages in France.