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Pradelles

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Visit Pradelles

Pradelles village ('most beautiful villages of France') is 30 km south of Le Puy-en-Velay, in the Haute-Loire department of the Auvergne region. At the southern edge of the Haute-Loire department, near Lozere and the Ardeche, Pradelles is situated on the edge of the volcanic chain of Deves, and overlooks the Allier Valley.

Pradelles, a small, very old, historic and picturesque town perched high above the valley has a live museum of working horses (Musée du Cheval Trait) and a VeloRail that provides a fascinating glimpse of bygone France as you gently pedal along the side of the valley on route of an old railway track, with views of the Plan de Naussac, a large man-made lake with water sports and camping facilities, past St Etienne du Vigan to Landos.

The church at Pradelles - the Church of Notre-Dame - was long the home to a cult that developed around a statue found buried nearby. By the early 17th century the location had become a well known pilgrimage town, with various miracles attributed to Notre-Dame. The story continued until 1793 when revolutionaries threw the statue in a fire - although it was retrieved it needed extensive renovation. The best day to visit the town is the 15 August when the statue is carried in procession around Pradelles.

The town has few other 'highlights' except for the chapel and belltower, and the far-reaching views, but is a very pleasant town well-deserving of a visit. Pradelles is also well placed for exploring the Gorges de l'Allier, the path carved by the upper reaches of the Allier river, and for pursuing the numerous outdoor activities that are popular in the region eg hiking, cycling and canoeing.

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