The 96th edition of the FIM International Six Days of Enduro (ISDE) will take place at Puy-en-Velay – France the capital of the Haute–Loire department in the heart of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region from Monday 29 August to Saturday 3 September 2022 The first edition of the ISDE in France dates back to 1920 in Grenoble The event was then called the “ISDT” for “International 6 Days of Trial” in 1980 and for the third time in its history France hosted the ISDE in the Haute Loire in Brioude the area where the first enduro competition in the country had been organised 8 years earlier the last French edition of the FIM ISDE was organised in 2017 in Brive The FIM by entrusting the organisation of the event to the FFM and the Organising Committee is allowing a return to the roots of the event in France this same region hosted the final round of the 2021 Borilli FIM Enduro GP World Championship in Langeac (just forty kilometres from Le Puy en Velay) and 2019 in Ambert (seventy kilometres from Le Puy-en-Velay) these two Grand Prixs enjoyed a lively success in particular from the point of view of the crowd and the enthusiasm they brought to the event The Organising Committee (COISDE–2022) is made up of three motorcycle clubs specialising in the discipline the Moto Club de Saugues and the Moto Club Moto Verte Haute Lozère which will benefit from the full support of the FFM and the Regional stakeholders The COISDE–2022 has been working for more than six months on the creation of the course by being focused on two main points: to propose a course as the riders like them varied with breath–taking landscapes and a certain technical level specific to the DNA of the ISDE The route will be organised around three completely different loops each of around two hundred kilometres which will take the competitors on a journey to the heart of the region and beyond with no less than thirteen different special tests and five timed tests per day so only 3 separate spots in order to limit the logistics for the teams: Haute Loire – Haut Allier – Gévaudan Days 3 and 4 – Loop 2: Haute Loire – Lozère – Langogne Day 5 – Loop 3: Haute Loire – Puy en Velay – Emblavez Day 6: Final Cross Test Haute Loire – Puy en Velay Always with the aim to reduce costs for all the teams the FIM wanted to reduce the length of stay by one day by eliminating the day between the last day of checks and the first day of racing the timing of the event will be as follows: Tuesday 23 August: Opening of the Paddock Friday 26 August to Sunday 28 August late morning: Administrative and technical controls Saturday 27 August – Evening: Opening ceremony at Le Puy-en-Velay ten kilometres from the paddock From Monday 29 August to Saturday 3 September: The race Sunday 4 September: Closure of the Paddock The pre-registrations opening is scheduled for January 2022 We invite you in the coming weeks to discover the Event video presentation on the official FIM ISDE facebook account: https://www.facebook.com/FIMISDE and all the practical information on the official website www.fim-isde.com © Copyright 2025   |   All Rights Reserved   | Press Area  |  Legal Mention   |   Privacy Policy   |   Powered by FIM and many hikers choose scenic sections of a trail and follow it for a week or two the paths are serviced by an extensive infrastructure for hikers that includes lodging Helen and I have hiked along sections of these routes in France Signs at the start of the Via Podiensis in Le-Puy-en-Velay What Americans refer to as “the Camino” is known in Britain as the Way of St these routes have been so much a part of the fabric of Europe that they have gained the protection and recognition of the European Union Helen and I began our journey toward Santiago by starting out from my hometown Hiking the route bit by bit we finally arrived in Santiago de Compostela a few years later The stretch we liked best and have walked repeatedly begins in Le-Puy-en-Velay in France’s Massif Central and ends in Cahors The route partially follows where medieval pilgrims walked from the stark and sparsely populated highlands down to the lush valleys of the Midi and the south of France from isolated hamlets and fortified farms to lively riverside cities And what we enjoyed most was the camaraderie of the hikers all walking in the same direction – toward Santiago – and those moving at the same pace often form groups that share the experience of walking 10 – 12 miles every day with those that proceed at the same pace your motto may quickly become plus ultra (far/further beyond) and you’ll follow it all the way to the Spanish border near Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port (472 miles) and then all the way to Santiago de Compostela The very first "bridge" across the Rhine near the Gotthard Pass. ©Helen Maurer This is a great way to cross the Alps and the entire country from north to south It begins in Porrentruy on the French border from where we hike over the Jura Mountains to the lakes below its southeastern slopes Next are the gentle hills of the Emmental where the famous Swiss cheese comes from After a short cruise on the Lake of Lucerne we climb toward the Gotthard Pass we find ourselves in Italian-speaking Switzerland to complete our journey with palm trees Looking down to the Libyan Sea. ©Helen Maurer What’s not to love about the south coast of the Greek island of Crete and towns and villages still warmly welcome visitors and the trail challenging – an unbeatable combination The entire E4 section on Crete is about 500 km / 300 mi and it takes at least a month to cover its distance and difficult terrain We started our 2 week stay on Crete with some sightseeing on the north coast cities of Heraklion and Chania and then took the public bus across the mountains to the old town of Paleochora From there we followed the E4 long distance trail to Chora Sfakion The trail often hugs a steep escarpment and and we couldn’t help but make return trips to this great Magic scene along the Rheinsteig tr©Helen Maurerail.  Explore the most scenic section of the Rhine with its castles and vineyards overlooking the busy river on the long-distance Rheinsteig trail itinerary begins in Wiesbaden and ends near Cologne and we have hiked the best part of the Rheinsteig from near Wiesbaden to Koblenz The well-marked and documented trail passes through vineyards There are plenty of ups and downs to make an even less than 10 mi Restaurants serving traditional fare are plentiful and accommodation along the way ranges from youth hostels to elegant castle hotels A full day Rhine cruise returns hikers to their starting point Independent and adventurous travelers are fine to follow any of these trails on their own Those wishing to travel with a hiking group where everything is arranged in advance will find a number of hiking tours offered by the Sierra Club there are now many tour companies that offer hiking trips Sierra Club® and "Explore, enjoy and protect the planet"® are registered trademarks of the 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Jewish cartoonist Joann Sfar 2025."> Pixels Subscribers only Golden Owl solution is revealed but leaves players of 31-year hunt disappointed Pixels Subscribers only Secrets of decades-long Golden Owl treasure hunt to be revealed Lifestyle Inside Chanel's French leather workshops Culture Subscribers only The marvelous bronzes of Angkor on display at the Musée Guimet in Paris Production of some specialty tyres will be put on hold at the factories in Troyes and Le Puy-en-Velay A storage warehouse before tire shipment at a Michelin plant in Roanne BRUNO AMSELLEM / DIVERGENCE FOR LE MONDE Michelin has paused production of some specialty tyres at its French factories as demand falls The French company said its factories making tyres for passenger cars remain open even as demand also falls but it is in talks with unions "to look for solutions." The slowing activity is linked to an "overall softening of the world economy especially in the automobile industry where manufacturers' sales are down 20 to 25%," chief executive Florent Menegaux told Le Parisien that impacts us and we are forced to adapt," Menegaux said announced a series of voluntary job cuts in 2021 Over the past year it has also closed a factory in western France and another in southern Germany Lecture du Monde en cours sur un autre appareil Vous pouvez lire Le Monde sur un seul appareil à la fois Ce message s’affichera sur l’autre appareil Parce qu’une autre personne (ou vous) est en train de lire Le Monde avec ce compte sur un autre appareil Vous ne pouvez lire Le Monde que sur un seul appareil à la fois (ordinateur En cliquant sur « Continuer à lire ici » et en vous assurant que vous êtes la seule personne à consulter Le Monde avec ce compte Que se passera-t-il si vous continuez à lire ici Ce dernier restera connecté avec ce compte Vous pouvez vous connecter avec votre compte sur autant d’appareils que vous le souhaitez mais en les utilisant à des moments différents Nous vous conseillons de modifier votre mot de passe Votre abonnement n’autorise pas la lecture de cet article merci de contacter notre service commercial This is the 13th installment in “Postcards from the Camino” by Gareth Thomas a series of reflections on the Camino de Santiago the pilgrimage route leading to the shrine of the apostle Saint James in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain As we draw close to the Feast of Saint James in this series it is a good moment to recall the very first recorded pilgrimage to Compostela It was a diocesan pilgrimage in the 10th century from Le Puy-en-Velay in France across the Pyrenees and along the road to the Apostle’s shrine The pilgrim road is still known in Spain as the Camino Francés after those pilgrims who mapped the route that we still take today We can also learn something of the interchange between Christian and Islamic culture that took place in that period in the contested lands of southwest Europe The pilgrimage was led by the bishop himself It is supposed that the reason he had a special devotion to the Apostle was because he was born on the feast day of Saint James He also chose to be ordained bishop on that feast day we see church buildings that blend Islamic influence with the Romanesque style including the cathedral and the famous chapel of Saint Michel d’Aiguilhe on top of a volcanic rock pinnacle See for example the horseshoe arches and contrasting dark and light stone in imitation of the Islamic style reminiscent of the style of the Cordoba mosque This mixture of styles owes as much to cross-border cultural exchanges and the importation of engineering techniques from the Muslim south as it does to wider Romanesque and Byzantine influence with its horseshoe arches and contrasting dark and light stone in imitation of the Islamic style When we follow the Camino Francés to Compostela we are retracing the steps of Bishop Godescalc and the large party of pilgrims from his diocese who mapped the route That first recorded Compostela pilgrimage in the 10th century was a journey involving considerable cultural and religious exchange The borderline between Christian and Islamic influence was not as black & white as the actual military battle lines and the ebb and flow of invasions and counter-attacks in the peninsula and southern France had resulted in a rich tapestry of entwined traditions and engineers inhabiting territories either side of the battle lines (Even into the 15th century after the Reconquest the historic city of Toledo and until 1492 the three faiths existed alongside each other in harmony and Emile Mâle—the great Gothic revivalists—all referred to the Arab origins of the main features of this architectural style If you want to understand Notre Dame cathedral look first at the ancient architecture of Syria reminiscent of Cordoba mosque with contrasting colored stonework We do not know how many pilgrims traveled with Bishop Godescalc ‘un gran cortejo’ (a great procession) and we can presume this was a substantial pilgrimage that required much preparation and logistical support We know there was correspondence in advance with at least one monastery regarding accommodation on the outward and return legs of the journey This concerns a pre-planned deviation from the direct route—which sometimes followed ancient Roman routes—when Godescalc led his party on a long detour when they reached Logroño the capital city of the modern wine-growing region of Rioja The Le Puy pilgrim party deviated some distance off to the south to spend time at the monastery of San Martin at Albelda both on the outward journey to Compostela and on the return journey dirigiéndose hacia la extremidad de Galicia para tocar a la misericordia divina implorando humildemente la protección del Apóstol Santiago.” heading towards the extremity of Galicia to seek divine mercy humbly imploring the protection of the Apostle Santiago.” This monastery—as suggested by its dedication to Saint Martin the French monastic founder—had been recently established in lands newly liberated from Muslim control It was a large monastery inhabited by monks drawn from the local cave hermitages and which had continued as Christian hermitages during the Islamic occupation These were augmented by French monks transferred from the north We can deduce that the foundation of this monastery at Albeda was a project well known to bishop Godescalc and he probably supported it financially no doubt Godescalc also learned valuable economic lessons about the way the pilgrim trade enriches the shrines and settlements on pilgrim routes When Bishop Godescalc—of fine Visigothic Christian ancestry and tradition—led his diocese on the first recorded pilgrimage to Compostela he demonstrated that he and his diocese were outward-looking Catholics who were prepared to enter into the newly-won Christian territory still precariously defended by the kings and warriors of the Catholic faith and bring back to Le Puy the fruits of their experience Godescalc was a bishop-pilgrim and evangelist who took his whole diocese onto the road with him to receive the experience and walk proudly through newly conquered Christian territories As well as being one of the historic Marian pilgrimage centers of Catholic Europe and a starting point for pilgrims to Compostela, Le Puy-en-Velay is a UNESCO World Heritage site set in an extraordinary volcanic landscape. It is the start of the Via Podiensis—the Way of Saint James route from Le Puy, the long-distance walking route now designated the GR65—which eventually meets up with the other main routes of the Way of Saint James at Ostabat.[4] I’ll share the recurring thought I had while writing this piece While wondering what kind of man was Bishop Godescalc who inspired a great crowd of the faithful to walk with him all that way I could not think of any bishop I have known with whom I would want to walk hundreds of miles over several months on a return journey to Compostela Once when I was in Taizé leading a youth group next to our tents was a Catholic contingent from East Anglia with their bishop in his own tent pitched right in the middle of the encamped youth from his diocese That was a high standard of evangelism to beat which bishop would you find inspiring enough to spend months on the road with teaching and solving practical challenges on the route Thoughtful suggestions are invited in the comments for a summer holiday competition: My best bishop to lead a Holy Year Compostela pilgrimage. Stating why, of course! I imagine Bishop Barron might be a high contender, if only because he’d bring a guitar this is not about ‘my worst bishop,’ so let’s avoid going down that road!) [1] The Visigoths were northern Europeans originally contracted as allies to reimpose Roman authority on earlier Germanic invaders but Rome lost its authority over the Visigoths and they expanded into southern France and eventually into Hispania where they became the founders of Christian Spain and then fought with Islamic forces for the control of these territories [2] Diana Darke Stealing from the Saracens: How Islamic Architecture Shaped Europe (Hurst as ‘saracen’ is Arabic for ‘thief,’ but Christian Europe drew heavily on Islamic architecture out of which eventually came the Gothic style [3] Roger E “A Precious Ancient Souvenir Given to the First Pilgrim to Santiago de Compostela.” Peregrinations: Journal of Medieval Art and Architecture https://digital.kenyon.edu/perejournal/vol4/iss3/1 [4] Ostabat: see Postcard #3: Ostabat, Catholic Europe’s international travel hub Images: Header banner and in-text photo of Le Puy cathedral façade Keep the conversation going in our SmartCatholics Group! You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter Gareth Thomas lives a solitary life in the mountains in Spain with his donkeys he is a veteran of the pilgrim routes to Compostela Tags: Auvergne-born chef François Gagnaire honours his region through an authentic menu full of good products where the great classics of Auvergne gastronomy are revisited with daring recipes After learning the ropes with great chefs such as Alain Chapel and Pierre Gagnaire (his unrelated namesake) the chef from Haute-Loire François Gagnaire opened his first restaurant in Le Puy en Velay in 2001 A gastronomic restaurant that even won a Michelin star five years later thanks to a seasonal and uncompromising cuisine which was nevertheless closed in 2014 following a disagreement with the city’s town hall François Gagnaire then opened Anicia (in reference to the Latin name of the ancient Roman town of Le Puy en Velay) a bistro that he describes as a “natural table” dedicated to showcasing the best products of his region of origin It is therefore in the heart of the Saint Germain des Prés district that the chef unveils his little nugget in November 2015 François Gagnaire has offered a menu including a minimalist selection of recipes made up of local products from short circuits A committed approach and a responsible menu that have even earned it the Eco-table label which has been promoting eco-responsible restaurants since 2019 On the menu – which changes every month – the address offers three starters three main courses (always including a vegetarian dish) The meal begins with the chef’s specialty: Velay® Caviar made with green lentils from Le Puy (the first legume to have been labelled PDO) and crab meat there is a delicious vegetable milk velouté made of wild mushrooms and wild herbs or a pâté en croûte “vice-champion du monde 2011 Vérot” vegetarians and vegans will be able to enjoy an exquisite pastoral of vegetables mushrooms and fruits from the Indian summer (which can contain up to twenty-five ingredients) and meat lovers will be able to taste the candied peasant bacon accompanied by Galabar blood sausage and apple cabbage fondue an ultra-comforting dish with authentic flavors it is impossible not to continue the meal by testing the Auvergne cheese platter by Anicia and more particularly one of their signature products: the peasant cheese matured with artisous accompanied by a hay bread with an addictive taste the address offers beautiful desserts to end gently such as a surprising dessert mixing chocolate and mushroom or a tiramisu revisited with verbena For those who just want a snack like in childhood Anicia also opens its doors in the afternoon to offer a beautiful selection of organic juices teas and infusions embellished with ultra-gourmet cakes and pastries small verbena puffs or a lentil flour flan Newsroom 54 rue des Acacias 75017 Paris T+33 1 56 88 98 00   |    Advertising 54 rue des Acacias 75017 Paris T+33 1 56 88 98 37     |    Copyright © 2024 Numéro     |    Legal notices Votre inscription a bien été prise en compte In 2016 the Auvergne région was joined with the région of Rhône-Alpes to form the new administrative entity of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region (France) is decked out in shimmering colours but also with a wealth of cultural events! Easily accessible by train this region offers plenty of opportunities for getaways: Set off for a cultural citybreak in Lyon get your fill of contemporary art in Saint-Etienne marvel at the Royal Monastery of Brou in Bourg-en-Bresse immerse yourself in the performing arts at Moulins discover the gentle pace of life at Valence or go green at Puy-en-Velay… Here are 6 ideas for cultural weekends in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Article produced in collaboration with Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Tourism Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes opens its doors to you for a cultural weekend with these 6 must-see destinations: The gateway to the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, Lyon is a vibrant Lyon has many assets : a gastronomic capital with many Michelin-starred chefs and its famous ” bouchons ”  its traboules which are little secret passages through the city Located only 1h50 by train from Paris it’s easy to get there for a weekend without breaking the bank An exhibition not to be missed in Lyon  The Musée des Confluences invites you to explore the worlds of dreams ! From Greek incubation temples to neuroscience laboratories via artists’ interpretations or the psychoanalyst’s couch this exhibition explores the different worlds of dreams and helps you better understand their mechanisms Musée des confluences Until 24 August 2025 Every day except Mondays majestic cathedral and medieval architecture with timber-framed houses Moulins is a town of authentic charm accessible in just 2h20 by train from Paris. Its many museums make it an ideal destination for culture lovers  ALSO READ: A cultural getaway in Moulins An exhibition not to be missed in Moulins  the Centre national du costume et de la scène (CNCS) has been preserving the material heritage of theatres. This unique institution in France conserves over 10,000 costumes from theatre the CNCS regularly organises exceptional exhibitions Right now it’s the famous choreographer Philippe Decouflé who is in the spotlight in an exhibition looking back at his world Centre national du costume et de la scène Until 5 January 2025 Every day, 10am to 6pm From €0 to €9 Online ticketing Guided tours To visit Bourg-en-Bresse is to plunge into History : between its half-timbered houses its medieval streets and above all the magnificent Royal Monastery of Brou this town gives the impression of travelling back in time  But be careful to pronounce ” bourc-en-bresse “ correctly so as not to offend the locals ;)) don’t forget to try some of Bresse’s famous poultry to add a little extra indulgence to your getaway The must-see exhibition in Bourg-en-Bresse  The Monastère Royal de Brou is THE visit not to be missed in Bourg-en-Bresse Behind this monastery lies the tragic story of Marguerite of Austria who had this sumptuous edifice built in memory of her husband Philibert II who died in a hunting accident. A veritable cry of love the Monastery is a masterpiece of flamboyant Gothic architecture that alone justifies a trip to Bourg-en-Bresse the Monastère presents the exhibition ” Playmobil® : Ahead with History ! “ Scenes tell the story of life from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance in a fun way for young and old alike Royal Monastery of Brou From 30 November 2024 to 26 January 2025 Every day 9am to 5pm (closed on 25 December and 1 January) From €0 to €11 Designated a “City of Design” by UNESCO Saint-Etienne has been reinventing itself in recent years by focusing on architecture and culture in just 3 hours from Paris or 30 minutes from Lyon, Saint-Etienne is a city where there’s never a dull moment with several museums but also numerous restaurants making it an ideal destination for a cultural and gourmet getaway ALSO READ: 5 things to do in Saint-Etienne The exhibition not to be missed in Saint-Etienne  the MAMC+ (Musée d’Art Moderne et Contemporain) is getting ready to reopen on 9 November including ” Hors Format ” featuring contemporary and old paintings of monumental dimensions The museum will also present three other exhibitions devoted to works recently added to its collections new photography practices and David Meski. A total of 4 exhibitions await you in a brand new museum MAMC+ From 9 November Every day except Tuesdays until 6.30pm at weekends From €0 to €6.5 With its gentle atmosphere and its heritage, Valence has assets to seduce ! Situated on the banks of the Rhône you can enjoy pleasant walks along the quayside admire the Vercors mountains and discover its picturesque little streets An exhibition not to be missed in Valencia  As the city celebrates Jaume Plensa by hosting a 4-metre-high sculpture presented in Valencia’s historic square the Musée de Valence is presenting around sixty works by this artist with drawings and sculptures made throughout the last thirty years Musée de Valence From 9 November to 13 April 2025 Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 6pm From €7 to €9 the capital of the Pilgrim’s Way to Santiago de Compostela Whether you’re a believer or not, le Puy-en-Velay is well worth a stopover : Notre-Dame cathedral offers breathtaking panoramas of volcanic landscapes An exhibition not to be missed in Le Puy-en-Velay  The Musée Crozatier is joining forces with the Centre Pompidou to present an exceptional exhibition on the world of rural life and those involved in the farming world through the eyes of painters and photographers from the 20the century. ” A travers champs “ is an exhibition that brings together 70 works by Georges Braque Musée Crozatier Until 5 January 2025 Every day, except Tuesdays, from 10am to 12.30pm and from 2pm to 6pm ; 7/7 during school holidays From €0 to €10 (free for children) Online ticketing Happy cultural holidays in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.  Learn more recevez le meilleur de Culturez-vous dans votre boite mail STEVE HOLCOMBE AND THE ENGLISH TEAM WIN ISDE 2022 The French Motorcycle Federation (FFM) and the organising committee have plenty to play with in the Puy en Velay the capital of the Haute-Loire department and the heart of the Auvergne region. It is every bit the heart of enduro country for the French and hosted the final rounds of the EnduroGP World Championship just 40km away in Langeac this season and also in Ambert That means it will be familiar terrain to many of the EnduroGP regulars but will also guarantee a strong crowd when we descend on the biggest sporting event in our calendar from Monday August 29 to Saturday September 3 The Organising Committee – COISDE-2022 – is made up of three hugely experienced motorcycle clubs (the Moto Club du Puy en Velay the Moto Club de Saugues and the Moto Club Moto Verte Haute Lozère) and has put more than six months into the course already They say the 2022 ISDE course will focus on two main points: providing an enjoyable course “as the riders like it” one which is varied with breath-taking landscapes plus on delivering a technical level “specific to the DNA of the ISDE” The committee says the route will be organised around three completely different loops which will take the competitors on a journey to the heart of the region “No less than” 13 different special tests and five timed tests per day That will mean only three separate service areas in to help the logistics for the teams Days 1 & 2 - Loop 1: Haute Loire - Haut Allier - Gévaudan Days 3 & 4 - Loop 2: Haute Loire - Lozère - Langogne Day 5 - Loop 3: Haute Loire - Puy en Velay - Emblavez Day 6 - Final Cross Test: Haute Loire - Puy en Velay The FIM say they have been looking to help riders and teams by reducing costs They’ve taken a look at the overall timetable and decided to reduce the length of stay in Puy by one day That basically means the technical admin checks will run from Friday to Sunday morning rather than starting earlier and giving everyone the Sunday off Friday August 16 to Sunday August 28 late morning: Administrative and technical controls Saturday August 27 evening: Opening ceremony at Puy en Velay Monday August 29 to Saturday September 3: Race days Sunday September 4: Closure of the Paddock Photo Credit: Enduro21 | Office du Tourisme Create a personal Enduro21 account to access our new forum receive exclusive competitions and money saving offers Enduro21 is all about motorcycle enduro and off-road riding. Read more Donations to Enduro21 can make a huge difference to what we do Learn more We're on the lookout for writers, photographers, videographers and enduro enthusiasts, from all around the world. Read more This website uses cookies that are necessary to its functioning and required to achieve the purposes illustrated in the privacy policy By accepting this OR scrolling this page OR continuing to browse Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker After a lifetime exploring the country’s cities, coast and countryside, our France expert chooses her personal highlightsMy favourite places to eat in France Its Saint-Michel d’Aiguilhe chapel sits atop a basalt needle while its other peaks are topped by the cathedral and a Notre Dame de France statue The one that really sticks in the memory, though, is Brittany’s Ushant (Île d’Ouessant in French) past lighthouses and green-shuttered cottages the most westerly point of metropolitan France I couldn’t believe the roar as the Atlantic waves crashed against the tumble of brown rocks we’ve swung and climbed through the trees on accrobranche treetop adventures Of course, the activity the French excel at is le cyclisme, and the Île de Ré off the west coast was made for it We’ve pedalled along smooth cycle paths between whitewashed villages adorned with hollyhocks our legs powered by salted butter caramels as he made those distinct and colourful brush strokes as a penniless artist he would never know his impact on the art world 135 years later which blends historical model ships and paintings with modern innovations such as a giant CGI wave to bring the history of seafaring alive But smaller museums can be as engaging. In a beautiful mansion in the north-eastern walled town of Langres, the House of Enlightenment tells the story of the town’s most famous son art critic and writer who wrote most of the 1751 Encyclopédie Stained glass in St Joseph’s church in Le Havre. Photograph: Alan Gillam/AlamyFrance’s many chateaux and cathedrals get the most attention, but I’ve been enchanted by more modern architecture, too. On my visit to Le Corbusier’s concrete Saint-Pierre church in Firminy I caught a group of music students practising four-part harmony in the extraordinary acoustics of the sloped walls while the sunlight was shining through dozens of tiny windows like a constellation of stars In Le Havre, towering above the Lego-like apartment blocks, is the similarly impressive St Joseph’s church I sat beneath the kaleidoscopic octagonal tower in reverence as I stared up at its 12,000 panes of coloured glass Driving in France is a joy (certainly compared with the much busier UK): those empty roads lined with plane trees are justly famous. The A49 from Grenoble is an awesome route as it skirts past the Vercors mountains and walnut groves, while the Millau viaduct on the A75 is always a thrill to cross efficient and comfortable; I love the route along the Côte d’Azur from Marseille to Nice – TGV OuiGo trains depart from Marseille’s Saint-Charles station and arrive in Nice Ville in less than three hours offering glimpses of the shimmering Mediterranean between the terracotta roofs and cypress pines In lesser-known Lorraine, the rustic cabin with its own sauna next to the Lake de Pierre-Percée felt wildly remote. And then there was the eco-lodge shaped like a cow: in deepest Burgundy, a region rightly proud of its beef and cheese, the Vache Ecolodge sleeps 12 and is decorated on a bovine theme throughout residents of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon saved thousands of Jews from deportation and almost certain death On a wind-scoured plateau in France’s Haute-Loire department stands a village teeming with secrets Through an extraordinary campaign of nonviolent resistance during World War II the residents of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon saved thousands of Jews from deportation and almost certain death a museum-memorial stands monument to their wartime courage though many of their stories may never be known • The unlikely sausage that saved lives • How Italian women used words to fight the Nazis • A Prague church that defied Nazi rule Chambon lies 88km south-west of Lyon amid the forests and pastures of the Vivarais-Lignon plateau a jewel of the Auvergne region where volcanic stone pillars dominate the skyline Some 20km north-east is burgeoning gastronomic destination Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid hometown of triple Michelin-starred chef Régis Marcon North and south respectively are two dramatically beautiful French regional parks the Parc Naturel Régional du Pilat and the Monts d’Ardѐche But Chambon’s lonely position has served it well Its inaccessibility made it a refuge for Huguenots French Protestants escaping religious persecution during the 17th Century The region is still referred to as ‘La Montagne Protestante’ (the Protestant Mountain) when 80,000 Jews were sent from France to concentration camps its geographic isolation made it possible to save the lives of more than 3,000 Jewish refugees by hiding them in and around the village “Without in any way diminishing the courage and sheer decency of the local population, who risked their lives to hide total strangers, there’s no doubt geography was a big factor,” said Peter Grose, who told the town’s story in his book A Good Place To Hide “It’s totally isolated and surrounded by forest Nowadays, increasing numbers of visitors are making the journey to Chambon’s Lieu de Mémoire (Place of Memory) which movingly tells the town’s World War II history Its upper floor gives a vivid timeline of Chambon’s past history is spoken aloud through eyewitness accounts displayed at TV screens and listening posts the museum is an understated homage to an incredible history Design features like ghostly silver birch trees evoke the desolate Haute-Loire winter a source of great peril for the refugees who made their way to Chambon at the mercy of the snow and la burle the bitter wind that howls across the plateau Intense persecution had caused Protestant numbers to drop sharply in France after the 17th Century and today they are only a tiny proportion of France’s population Many of the Chambonnais felt a sense of duty to help which some historians have linked to their ability to empathise with persecuted minorities But the main driving force behind Chambon’s resistance effort was its spiritual leader in a bold plan to hide Jewish refugees in attics Conditions for Jews had rapidly worsened after the collaborationist Vichy government set in motion the Statut des Juifs in 1940 which demanded that Jews declare themselves and imposed heavy restrictions on their ability to work and travel all foreign refugees were to be surrendered It’s totally isolated and surrounded by forest What better place to hide people?Many refugees learned about Chambon through word of mouth making their own way to the village on foot to seek refuge Magda Trocmé would vividly recall the night in 1940 when a German Jewish woman arrived half-frozen at the Presbytery door having fled Nazi Germany and travelled through occupied France until she heard about Chambon Organised efforts by humanitarian organisations brought many others to the village André Trocmé approached a Quaker organisation who planned to smuggle children to safety but needed a hiding place Trocmé volunteered remote Chambon as their place of refuge many refugees were smuggled illegally across the mountains into Switzerland where they would be met by other resistors in the tight-knit Protestant network The resistance movement soon grew beyond the Protestant communities – not only in Chambon but neighbouring villages like Tence and Fay-sur-Lignon – and even succeeded in recruiting police assigned by the Vichy government to seek out Jews in Chambon Not a soul in the village gave the secrets away despite the risks: the punishment for helping Jews to escape was deportation or death was deported to Majdanek concentration camp in 1943 where he was later killed piecing together Chambon’s history has proved a formidable challenge “Firstly we had the issue of the number of testimonies,” explained Aziza Gril-Mariotte who designed the museum experience together with a scenography team “Counting up the people who welcomed others those who saved and those who were saved.. the Lieu de Mémoire has a responsibility to educate – and its message resonates through to the present day “It has a mission to communicate to younger generations who will certainly notice a parallel with what is happening today with the refugee crisis,” Gril-Mariotte said In contrast to so many labyrinthine French villages Chambon has an orderly quality with tile-roofed stone houses dotted along its main road Glimpses of forest are visible in almost every direction Ten kilometres south-west in Les Vastres begins a chain of menhirs and dolmens dating to the prehistoric past Visitors plying the circuit découverte (discovery trail) that links these ancient stones can experience the Haute-Loire’s wildness and profound silence the landscape’s talent for concealment that proved so vital in wartime The village holds other traces of its World War II history: opposite the Lieu de Mémoire is the broad granite Temple Protestant (Protestant Church) built in 1821 over the ruin of an earlier sanctuary that was burned to the ground an inscription over the entryway reads ‘Aimez-vous les uns les autres’; that is A plaque was unveiled here in 1979 to commemorate the bravery of the Protestant community who are recognised as the backbone of Chambon’s resistance movement A corresponding plaque can be found in Jerusalem’s World Holocaust Remembrance Center, Yad Vashem About 40 people in the village of Chambon – including André and Magda Trocmé – were honoured as Righteous Among the Nations the designation awarded by Yad Vashem to non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust Magda Trocmé would travel to Yad Vashem to plant a tree in honour of her husband Despite the village’s remarkable number of honourees who interviewed Chambon’s residents for his book explains: “Like farming communities around the world They’re still a bit inclined to ask you what the fuss is all about.” stories of the plateau’s everyday heroes have been aired schoolchildren from around France arrive by the busload to learn about Chambon’s history Foreigners rambling the plateau are no longer an unusual sight The Lieu de Mémoire logged 11,280 visitors in 2017 the simple presentation of the Lieu de Mémoire perfectly reflects the humility of its people “We tried to create the museum in accordance with the modesty of the population their desire to carry this history not pridefully but discreetly,” she explained “To tell this story and show the younger generations that it was possible – whatever happens and whatever the historical circumstances – to be true to yourself.” Join more than three million BBC Travel fans by liking us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter and Instagram If you liked this story, sign up for the weekly bbc.com features newsletter called "If You Only Read 6 Things This Week". 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Chaspuzac, France Parade of Nations in the historic city Presentation of the Nations and freestyle show – Place du Breuil Place de Breuil, Puy en Velay OFFICIAL TRAINING – EYCENAC TRACK Wednesday 24 toSaturday 27 August from 09:00 to 18:00 Sunday 28 August from 09:00 to 11:00 Free practice on a real Enduro Special Test Chaspuzac, France OFFICIAL PHOTOSHOOTING & ADMIN – TECH CONTROL Friday 26 to Saturday 28 August from 08:00 to 18:30 Sunday 28 August from 08:00 to 11:00 Running order of the Nations and Teams here Shop FIM ISDE 2022 – France – Le Puy en Velay official merchandising Limited edition 6 Days France 2022 : SCOTT Prospect mask RIEJU… and much more Take advantage of the “special 6 Days” deals offered by the exhibitors Discover the local products offered by the local producer Special interview with celebrities from the off-road world The 2022 ISDE is officially open for business as the registration process begins all through March for riders and teams wishing to take part The time is now to get in touch with your respective national federation to pre-register for the event which will be held from August – note this part of the registration process closes on March 31 the FIM has also confirmed the daily route details already put in place by the French organisers The paddock and location for the final cross test is planned just west of Le Puy on the local airport (Le Puy – Lourdes airport) much like the 2021 ISDE paddock was located in Italy The daily schedule begins with first rider departure at 7:30am and last rider around 11am Return of the first riders to the paddock from 3:30pm with mechanical sessions from 3:30pm to 7pm Paddock animations and fan zone open from 5pm Organisers say the timetable for the passage of the riders in the tests and at the time controls will be communicated mid-July The 96th edition of the ISDE looks like being a storming one high demand for accommodation already in the area The home nation are expected to be joined again by the Australia Great Britain as well as title holders Italy Photo Credit:  Future7Media | Andrea Belluschi + Le Puy Tourism  All news First Team Academy Ladies Club Fans Endowment Fund Club agenda Newsletters Social Networks Youtube Channel Mobile apps Photos Home Match highlights Zap'Gym OGC Nice classics Reports Youth team news OGC Nice Mag Squad list Staff Fixtures & results Ligue 1 Table Europa League Table Player of the month Squad list Staff Fixtures & results League table Squad list Staff U15F U13F U11F U8-U9F U6-U7F Squad list Elite U19 U17 Elite U19 U17 U15 U19 U17 U15 U11 U10 U9 U8 U7 U6 U5 #MonGymmafamille Mèfi Nissa la Bella Organization & contacts Training centre and academy Endowment Fund Shop Contacts Press History Squad photos since 1930 Former players Café des Aiglons Former Aiglons Association Stade du Ray SLO Supporter groups Mèfi Club Supporter chants Wallpapers Forum Spending power program The stadium How to get to the stadium? Tickets Hospitality offers National Sports Museum Introduction Infrastructure Organization Education Open Football Club Introduction Sports study programme Gym Aveni Women's section Soccer school Young Aiglon tournament OGC Nice Business Club Our partners Hospitality Sponsorship & visibility Business Club Linkedin Mèfi Club Introduction News Key figures They support us Ways to support Lenval wednesdays You + Me = OGC Nice Enfants sans douleur Le point rose Adrien Small change project The caravan of sport Schools in Red & Black Special Olympics Sourire et partage Les papillons The Villas in Red & Black Daily Mile Jobs fair Gym solidarity Rouge & noir blood drive Adam Bouchons d'amour The citizens' stand Spending power program Follow us on Linkedin The Round of 64 was the end of the road for OGC Nice in this year's Coupe de France who currently ply their trade in the National division Against a side more than capable of an upset (they beat Lorient two years ago at the same stage of the competition) OGC Nice fell to defeat at the Stade Massot in Puy-en-Velay (1-0) Lucien Favre's side were caught by surprise very early on Ben Fredj took advantage after winning back the ball high up the pitch and struck with his left foot from the edge of the box into the back of Schmeichel's net (1-0 Les Niçois then pushed but were unable to find an equaliser Despite 10 minutes of domination from the hosts They were exposed to counter-attacks from the Ponots but above all they came up against a side that defended perfectly and conceded very few dangerous opportunities Le Gym had 21 shots and hit the target on four occasions They almost equalised through Pepe in the first half but the Ivorian international's tackle after Diop's shot was deflected by Millieras Pepe had also hit the post after a good ball from Barkley but was flagged offside (11') Le Gym attacked and the most dangerous opportunity came from Khephren Thuram Diop was quicker than anyone else to the rebound but missed the target (65') but each were unable to find the back of the net Le Gym are out of the Coupe de France after the Round of 64 and will have the opportunity to bounce back at home on Wednesday against Montpellier (Matchday 18 Amiot Belkorchia Meyer Boulamoy Lembezat Fournel Benkhedim Viti Lotomba Boulhendi Belahyane Ilie Essential digital access to quality FT journalism on any device Complete digital access to quality FT journalism with expert analysis from industry leaders Complete digital access to quality analysis and expert insights complemented with our award-winning Weekend Print edition Terms & Conditions apply Discover all the plans currently available in your country See why over a million readers pay to read the Financial Times France -- Rigoberto Uran fields the question practically every day here at the Tour de France: "What do you have to say to the people of Colombia?" sitting in front of a small thicket of microphones set up on a sidewalk between the Cannondale-Drapac bus and the team's rest-day hotel "No pierdan tanto trabajo mirando toda la etapa todos los dias." Translation "Don't miss too much work watching the whole stage every day." but unlikely to be followed by a country and a continent awaiting its first Tour champion So fervent is the interest in Uran back home that Colombian radio reporters somehow obtained the cellphone number of Cannondale-Drapac bus driver Andrea "Biso" Bisogno -- an Italian who speaks Spanish and occasionally serves as Uran's translator -- and have been pelting him with requests He has a gift for being simultaneously relaxed and vigilant for taking his work seriously without being self-serious He is a no-drama guy in a dramatic situation 29 seconds off Chris Froome's overall lead He wasn't the Colombian rider most would have picked to be biting at the heels of his former Sky teammate Uran's résumé includes a 2012 Olympic silver medal and a second-place finish in the 2013 and 2014 Giro d'Italia but his star has been eclipsed in recent seasons by Nairo Quintana 2014 Giro winner and two-time Tour runner-up Quintana finished second in this year's Giro but his Tour campaign appears to be fading on tired legs Uran burst onto center stage and into contention in the most unexpected place and time possible He survived the treacherous descent of the Mont du Chat in Stage 9 that cost Australia's Richie Porte a broken collarbone and hip The fact that Uran avoided being taken down by Dan Martin's domino effect wipeout was Uran's rear derailleur was broken by the glancing blow and as he came off the mountain with a small group that looked primed to contest a sprint he was faced with a choice: lose precious seconds with a bike change or opt to have a Mavic neutral support mechanic fix him immovably in one gear He gambled on the heavy battleship setting of 53 x 11 hoping he could build up enough momentum at the finish Uran and France's Warren Barguil of Team Sunweb drag-raced over the line together and Barguil initially raised his hands in celebration but subsequent finish line technology showed Uran had won "He is the best leadership figure as a rider I've ever worked with ever," said Cannondale-Drapac manager Jonathan Vaughters "Rigo is a leader by example." Philippe Lopez Pool photo via APBefore Uran took off on his final effort of the day "He wasn't yelling and waving his hands around," said Cannondale-Drapac director Charly Wegelius "He wanted to know whether it was all downhill and flat to the finish "He's not someone who needs me in his ear telling him what to do." known to fans and fellow riders as "Rigo," said simply it's easier to make mistakes." His composure might be inborn but the native of the mountainous Medellin area -- where he still lives -- has coped with far more stress than any bike race could generate His father fell victim to Colombia's internecine violence when Uran was 14 a painful crossroads he consistently and politely declines to describe The teenager went to work selling lottery tickets to help sustain his mother and sister but his precocious cycling talent proved to be the real payoff launching him into the lower tier of the European pro peloton at age 19 He has since competed for teams based in five countries who first made a significant impact in Europe in the late 1980s have this in common with North Americans: They are on their own culturally to sink or float Wegelius thinks those years of fending for himself have fed Uran's ability to freelance in a stage like the one he improbably snagged and have enhanced his natural fearlessness "The big black bus can be intimidating," Wegelius said of Sky There are at least six riders within striking distance of Froome Uran is the strongest in the discipline of the time trial but he knows he will probably need a margin -- preferably a minute or more -- on Froome to contest the yellow jersey Saturday in Marseille the stage Uran and every other aspirant will point toward is the only remaining summit finish Thursday on the Col d'Izoard he will have the talented French climber Pierre Rolland at his side until late in the ascent Cannondale-Drapac manager Jonathan Vaughters said his team will be motivated by not only the prospect of a title but also the quality of the person who would win it He never shows up to a race even a pound overweight He is always 100 percent dedicated to his training Guardian photographer Alicia Canter donned a polka dot jersey and headed to Le Puy-en-Velay to watch the cycling’s most famous race storm into the mountains On Sunday the Tour’s 15th stage ran from Laissac-Sévérac l’Église to Le Puy-en-Velay the Haute-Loire town famous for its lentils and lace-making Alicia was able to photograph the final category 1 climb of Col de Peyra Taillade while soaking up the atmosphere of the town Monday was a rest day for the riders which gave Alicia a chance to catch up with people relaxing and getting ready for Tuesday’s 165km (102-mile) stage from Le Puy-en-Velay back out into the mountains and across to Romans-sur-Isère Up the hillStage 15 finishes in Le Puy-en-Velay after a hilly ride through the Massif Central ending in the category 1 climb of Col de Peyra Taillade which is 8.3km long and reaches an elevation of 1,190 metres The climbs are popular with spectators not just for the views but for the chance to see close up the riders tackle the tough section of the stage By the time the riders reached the climb they have already ridden 158km. The peloton split into several groups meaning fans get several chances to see the riders come past. British rider Chris Froome, a three-time winner of the Tour de France retained the yellow jersey despite a broken back wheel and a chase to get back to the peloton The stage was won by Bauke Mollema who managed to stay away from the peloton to claim his first stage victory Attendez le TourAt the river in Prades there is a beach which is popular with local holidaymakers Half the fun of going to see the Tour is the waiting for the race to come and go Alica chatted to those turning cycling into a vacation Bernardine Beckers: “We come here every year for a holiday and we’re happy that the Tour is going to be passing by I’ve only ever seen it on the television before Tom watches it all the time so it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to see it for real Pierre Yves and Evelyne Poilvert with their grandchildren Noa Youzan The family are parked up in camper vans on the side of the road They are on holiday together for 15 days and will head to the alps after watching the race in Le Puy-en-Velay Michelle McKenzie says; “Probably more people are into cycling these days Mick Browne says; “I’ve seen the tour five times in total since in the late eighties and early nineties We’re looking forward to seeing Chris Froome but we like some of the continentals too The Treagar family are on a 16-day holiday in the south of France and are parked up in a camper van on the side of the road near the final hill before the decent into Le Puy-en-Velay Sarah: “We literally were out on a cycle ride and I said what do you want to do for your 40th and he said: ‘Tour de France’ and that was it Rest dayMonday was one of only two rest days during the three-week Place du Martouret in front of the town hall in Le Puy-en-Vela is filled with people enjoying the entertainment Alicia met some of the market stall holders and caught up with the entertainers: Les Freres Jacquard from Cévennes restored their old caravan and have made it into their stage Christoph came with his teenage son Joeri and his father we’re three generations together in a tentChristophChristoph says; “This is our 6th tour de france Essen greets Styby - that’s Czech rider Zdeněk Štybar’s nickname I take pictures of him all the time especially with dogs I told my class he was going on holiday and in September they can see his adventures.” Joeri: “My favourite thing about coming here is to support the cyclists and see all the other people supporting the cyclists and the atmosphere Toby: “I shouted: ‘Allez allez!’ Chris Froome’s the man!” Haakon Vestmo: “We drove through Norway I don’t think we’re coming home in that car We love cycling … the commentator Dag Otto says on TV he stops every Norwegian and says hi My favourite rider is Romain Bardet because he’s born in Brioude We chose this spot because we think the riders will be very slow to pass here.” My tips for people who want to camp are: food electricity and an empty toilet​!​.SorenSoren: “This is our forth time at the Tour We’re supporting Lars Bak and Michael Valgren from Denmark Our favourite was Jakob Fuglsang but he’s out We come back because we love the atmosphere and freedom to be together with all these people and watch the caravan Anita: “And to talk with people from other countries.” Soren: “We have this banner up so our friends can see when it shows on the TV in Denmark We are going to watch stage 17 in La Mure after this and find another place to watch the tour go by RolloutAs stage 16 gets underway, Froome is wearing the yellow jersey as overall leader. Stage 16 was a 165km ride to Romans-sur-Isère where riders encountered some interesting crosswinds and a sprint finish. Nicolas Loison: “We arrived to watch the tour depart at 10am, we saw Romain Bardet, he was going very fast. He’s a very good boy. He’s a child of the area so he’s very popular. It’s very important for us to support Bardet and the beautiful city of Le Puy. I’m so proud for my city and Romain Bardet.” Don't miss the celebrated Danse Macabre fresco painstakingly restored in recent years as part of a €23m renovation over a period of eight years shows different members of 14th-century society tormented by Death who is represented as a succession of dancing skeletons Behind the church is the Salle de l'Echo – an architectural oddity that allows people on opposite sides of the chamber to hear each other talking without being overheard by those in between It's thought to have been built to enable monks to hear lepers' confessions without contracting the dreaded disease Access is restricted during the Sacred Music Festival; if you're visiting in mid-August plan ahead and buy a ticket to an event in the church ContactAddressLa Chaise-Dieu https://​www​.abbaye-chaise-dieu​.com​/ Chapelle St-Michel d'Aiguilhe Cathédrale Notre Dame A chequerboard of grey and white stone perched on a volcanic stone crag Le Puy's cathedral is the monumental starting point for pilgrims embarking on the… Abbatiale St-Austremoine Issoire is the proud home of the Auvergne’s most extravagantly decorated Romanesque church The exterior of this 12th-century edifice is festooned with… Basilique de St-Julien The Auvergne's largest Romanesque church is a whopper in design as much as size Built over the tomb of martyred Saint Julien Notre Dame de France At 16m tall and weighing a svelte 110 tonnes this crimson Notre Dame de France (Virgin Mary) statue makes an imposing guardian over Le Puy Cathédrale Notre Dame Cloister A peaceful 12th-century cloister adjoins Le Puy's cathedral its multicoloured bricks and columns alluding to strong Moorish influences Centre d'Enseignement de la Dentelle au Fuseau Le Puy is famed for the intricacy and beauty of its lace and this workshop-museum – led by formidable lace expert Mick Fouriscot – showcases remarkable… Maison de la Fourme d'Ambert is one of the Auvergne's five Appellation d’Origine Protégée (AOP) cheeses View more attractionsNearby Auvergne attractions1. Basilique de St-Julien 2. Maison de la Fourme d'Ambert 3. Moulin Richard de Bas and this old-school operation still produces around 200 sheets per day using traditional techniques 4. Forteresse de Polignac Sprouting from the sharp crags of a volcanic dome northwest of Le Puy this late-11th-century castle was built by the powerful Polignac family 5. Chapelle St-Michel d'Aiguilhe 6. Notre Dame de France 7. Musée Hôtel-Dieu elegantly panelled in walnut and wild cherry wood 8. Cathédrale Notre Dame Cloister A peaceful 12th-century cloister adjoins Le Puy's cathedral, its multicoloured bricks and columns alluding to strong Moorish influences. Upstairs is a… No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission Musée Crozatier - Un nouveau tableau de Guy François a rejoint les collections du Musée Crozatier Adjugé 39 360 euros (frais inclus) lors de la vente Tajan du 21 juin il a été acheté grâce au soutien du Fonds régional pour les acquisitions des musées de France Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes et du département de la Haute-Loire Natif du Puy-en-Velay où il mena une grande partie de sa carrière Guy François est particulièrement bien représenté au Musée Crozatier qui s’emploie depuis la rétrospective pionnière qu’il lui consacra en 1974 à réunir - par achats dons et dépôts - un ensemble significatif de ses œuvres dont la plupart demeurent conservées dans les églises Pour avoir accès à ce contenu, vous devez vous abonner à La Tribune de l’Art. Les avantages et les conditions de cet abonnement, qui vous permettra par ailleurs de soutenir La Tribune de l’Art, sont décrits sur la page d’abonnement mot de passe oublié ? Afin de pouvoir débattre des article et lire les contributions des autres abonnés, vous devez vous abonner à La Tribune de l’Art. Les avantages et les conditions de cet abonnement, qui vous permettra par ailleurs de soutenir La Tribune de l’Art, sont décrits sur la page d’abonnement Si vous êtes déjà abonné, connectez-vous. Notifications can be managed in browser preferences. Natural selection for tameness in domestication may have contributed to smaller skull and brain size I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Cat brains have shrunk significantly since humans began looking after them as pets 10,000 years ago, according to a new study that sheds more light on the effects of domestication on mammals. While reduced brain size, compared with wild individuals, is believed to be a key characteristic of domesticated mammal species, researchers, including Raffaela Lesch from the University of Vienna, said such brain size comparisons are often based on old, inaccessible literature. In some cases, they say studies that drew comparisons between domestic animals and wild species may no longer represent the true progenitor species of the domestic species being assessed. In the new research, published in the journal Royal Society Open Science on Wednesday, scientists replicated studies on cranial volumes in domestic cats – published in the 1960s and 1970s – that compared wildcats, domestic cats, and their hybrids. They assessed the skull sizes of domestic cats (Felis catus) and compared them to those of European wildcats (Felis silvestris) and African wildcats (Felis lybica). The study found that domestic cats indeed have smaller skulls – indicating smaller brains – than both European and African wildcats. It also revealed that the skull size of hybrids of domestic cats and European wildcats have cranial volumes between those of the two parent species. In these felines, researchers said natural selection for tameness in domestication led to the production of fewer neural crest cells, which are linked to excitability and fear, contributing to smaller skull and brain size. The scientists believe further studies on more species can help better understand other effects of domestication on cats, adding that there are several limitations to drawing information from old literature that is not easy to access. “Much of the literature that compares wild and domestic animals is difficult to access, or may have methodological issues,” Dr Lesch said. “We have to put effort into replicating old findings to further the field of domestication research and to see whether hypotheses, like the neural crest/domestication syndrome hypothesis of Wilkins and colleagues, are built on a solid foundation.” In further research, the scientists plan to replicate more old studies, not only for cats, but across other domestic species. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies new study confirms","description":"Natural selection for tameness in domestication may have contributed to smaller skull and brain size Fancy exploring fascinating folklore in Oxford this summer These are the SUITCASE back issues to get your hands on before you go Brisbane • Colombia • Kyrgyzstan • Sicily • Singapore • London Ireland • Naples • Oxford • Tangier • Yosemite • Colorado Iceland • Iran • Sydney • Melbourne • Antarctica • Sedona Prague • Japan • Peru • Santa Monica • Sicily • Trancoso • Ladakh Egypt • Finland • Japan • Mallorca • Portugal • Transylvania Amsterdam • Berlin • Cape Town • New York • Honduras • Kingston • Portland Hydra • Menorca • Venice • Nevis • Greenland • Fogo Island Get your weekly dose of armchair travelling Grégory Coupet is a former French football player who has a net worth of $15 million Grégory Coupet started playing soccer with his local club team before making his professional debut in the early '90s with Saint-Etienne He appeared in 88 matches as a goalkeeper before joining Lyon Coupet played in more than 500 contests with the club before playing for Atletico Madrid for one season and later Paris Saint-Germain from 2009 until 2011 Coupet appeared in close to 650 matches during his career He was also a member of the French national team from 2001 until 2008. Coupet appeared in 34 matches for his native country and was part of the 2002 FIFA World Cup team. He didn't become the team's top goaltender until the retirement of Fabien Barthez in 2006 though he did not make the 2010 World Cup squad and retired from international play soon after Despite not being the number one goalkeeper Coupet was part of two French teams that won the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2001 and again in 2003 he won the 2007 Peace Cup and Coupe de France in 2008 © 2025 Celebrity Net Worth / All Rights Reserved