Tucked away in the Auvergne hills, Usson greeted us with charm and a touch of drama. The village, perched high and proud, was undeniably pretty—its stone houses clinging to the hillside, narrow lanes winding like ribbons between them, and views that stretched endlessly across the volcanic landscape. But beauty here comes with a price: everything is steep. The climb into the village felt like a slow-motion ascent, and once we arrived, we quickly realized that Usson is as small as it is vertical. We parked our motorhome in the parking lot just below the village, which, true to form, was also steep. Maneuvering into a flat spot took some patience and a bit of creative steering. The access roads leading up were narrow and winding too, with barely enough room for two vehicles to pass—definitely not for the faint of heart or wide of vehicle. Still, there was something rewarding about making it to the top. Usson may be tiny, but it leaves a big impression, especially when you’ve earned your way there one tight turn at a time.