Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Saint-Flour

Saint-Flour

Built entirely of black volcanic lava from Liozargues, for want of any other stone available on this high Auvergne plateau, it presents an almost martial austerity, with its massive towers and the near-total absence of carved decoration on the facade. Rebuilt after a partial collapse in 1396, in the midst of the Hundred Years' War and the Black Death, it occupies the highest site of any cathedral in Europe: its forecourt stands at 892 m above sea level. An unusual and quite genuine fact: the cathedral today hosts, in its vaulted cellars, the curing of local hams — an original initiative intended to finance its restoration.

Getting there : Free admission

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound