We have left the south of France and are making our way to Burgundy, about 800 km away on the backroads.

On the way we decided to make our first overnight stop up in the mountains at Le Puy en Velay and then the next at Annecy just south of Geneva.

The scenery on the winding roads as we made our way up to the Massif Central plateau was stunning. Unfortunately there were very few places to stop and take photos.

Le Puy en Velay is where your start the 732 km Camino Way (the Way of St James) walk if you are starting in France. En route we passed a couple of statues showing the way and quite a few hikers on the walk.

Every day from the impressive Cathedral of Notre-Dame du Puy walkers start their Camino journey to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain after a blessing from the local priest.

The other two outstanding features of the town are the 10th century The Chapel of Saint-Michel perched high on a volcanic rock (that has way too many steps for me to climb up) and the Rocher Corneille, with this 23 metre statue of Mary the baby Jesus erected in 1860. Interesting the statue was made of metal melted from 100 cannons that were seized during the Crimean war by Napoleon III.

The following morning as we were leaving town a haze had settled in the valley so the photo from the vantage point was not so good.

Lacemaking is still an active industry in the town. Shops on the cobblestone streets display bobbins with intricate lace in progress.

The town itself thrives off of the tourists and walkers that come in droves because of the Camino. The historic centre is full of cafes, restaurants and ice cream shops.

Next stop Annecy.