サンピエールロシュの絶景の山頂・トップ11

Ancient Roman sanctuary restored

It's better to go up via Ceyssat and come back down via Orcines. The climb still hurts but there's less traffic and the descent is worth it 😉

Temple construction in the 2nd century on the summit of the Puy de Dôme. The Temple of Mercury, built on the summit of the Puy de Dôme, was one of the largest mountain sanctuaries in Roman Gaul. It could be seen from a great distance, including from the city of Augustonemetum, present-day Clermont-Ferrand. The Via Agrippa, a highway from Lyon, the capital of Gaul, to Saintes on the Atlantic, allowed travelers to reach the shrine via the pilgrimage center at the Col de Ceyssat.

Possibility of having a drink and/or something to eat just opposite the pass sign

Stunning view when the weather is clear

At just over 1480m, the Puy Loup offers a great view in all directions. The small refuge on the summit used to be a tower that belonged to a gliding base that was located on the ridge at the beginning of the 20th century: 'Centre national de vol sans moteur de LA BANNE D'ORDANCHE', https://www.anciens-aerodromes.com/

panorama of the Puys chain

The Temple of Mercury on the Puy de Dôme is a Gallo-Roman temple built in the 2nd century on the summit of the Puy de Dôme to replace a 1st century temple. Excavations in 1875 and the early 20th century uncovered the ruins. In the 1st century, the Arverni decided to build a temple to Mercury in their city of Augustonemetum (now Clermont-Ferrand). In the following century, this temple in arkose, which had undoubtedly become too small to accommodate the many pilgrims who visited it, was replaced by a larger and more majestic temple in trachyte. Source: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_de_Mercure_(puy_de_D%C3%B4me)