St paulien

Saint-Paulien is a village in the Haute-Loire department, in the Auvergne region of central France, a few kilometres north of Le Puy-en-Velay. The village stands on the site of the former Gallo-Roman settlement of Ruessium, and traces of this heritage survive, notably in the Romanesque church of Saint-Georges, partly built with reused ancient stones. The village retains a distinctly rural character typical of the Devès plateau, a volcanic landscape dotted with extinct volcanic hills and pastures, well suited to walking and nature watching. Nearby, the Malaguet lake provides a pleasant spot for swimming, fishing and strolling, with facilities suitable for families. The wider area is also known for producing the Puy green lentil, grown on the surrounding volcanic soils, along with other regional Auvergne specialities such as cheeses and cured meats. Saint-Paulien makes a peaceful base from which to explore Le Puy-en-Velay, with its listed monuments and market, while enjoying a quiet, green setting away from heavy tourist traffic, in an authentically rural and mountainous atmosphere.