Hiking in the Massif Central

One of the perks of spending a whole year here has been the opportunity to tour different areas of France and experience the diversity of landscape covered by such a small geographical area. This past week we started a vacation at the base of the French Alps and concluded in the heart of the Massif Central - France's dormant volcanic region. The differences in landscape were stunning and also proved to be a great learning opportunity for all of us in regards to how God formed this gorgeous planet of His.

These are photos of our hike in the Massif Central. Another post will include our tour of some of the little towns in the area. 

Once again, I think photos will do more justice than words ever could.

Puy du Dome is the highest peak to the left. We hiked the crater rim to the right.

A view of Puy Du Dome from the Puy du Pariou hike.

Puy du Pariou

At the trail head.

The gorgeous forest trail.

Bo & Vivi inspecting the air bubbles of pumice, or as they called it "Hot Lava Rock."

These sheep were right up along the trail, leaving the "proof" of their presence all over the trail from top to bottom. It created  quite a fly problem. We dashed through a few swarms that made me think of the Plagues. Scary stuff.

 

A short video where you can hear the sheep's bleating and their bells ringing.

The Pariou crater.
You can see the trail winding down to the lowest point of the crater. You can also just make out the rim trail along the top.

The inside of the crater. The people help provide some scale. I told the kids those rocks were placed by prehistoric people. Luckily, Bo's embraced Young Earth Theory enough to scoff at me.

  Some pretty flowers along the way:

I think these are Forget-Me-Nots. Which just seemed appropriate.