Saint-Nectaire, Medieval village in Puy-de-Dôme, France
Saint-Nectaire is a commune in the Auvergne region divided into an upper and lower section, set among mountainous terrain. Thermal springs naturally occur throughout the area and have shaped settlement patterns here.
The area fell under the control of the Abbey of La Chaise-Dieu in 1146, when a priory was established there. This religious connection shaped the settlement's development for centuries afterward.
The basilica contains a significant 12th-century Auvergnat Virgin and Child sculpture that represents the artistic heritage of medieval France.
The two settlement sections are best explored on foot, with the lower part being more accessible. Wear appropriate footwear since the terrain is hilly and can be uneven in places.
Underground, thermal waters create mineral stalagmites from limestone deposits in the area's caves. These natural formations develop through the slow interaction of warm water with the rock over time.
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