Our Poisson d'Avril

Poisson d'Avril ("Fish of April") is the French equivalent of April Fool's Day. A common April fool's trick is to surreptitiously pin a small paper fish on someone's back.

Cookies are also made in the form of fish to mark the day. We saw these poissons in the morning at a salon de thé in the old town in Clermont-Ferrand (top blip), and returned in the afternoon to share one of them with tea and chocolate--it was delicious.

Scenic highlights of the day were the interior of Notre Dame du Port (which I blipped yesterday), and the cathedral (Notre Dame de l'Assomption). It was built in the thirteenth century in high gothic style, and is beautifully graceful--especially the interior. We had a lovely lunch at a one-star restaurant, taking advantage of a very reasonably priced prix fixe menu. Otherwise, the streets in old town of Clermont-Ferrand are wonderful for walking, window-shopping, and just gazing around.