Pilgrims across Europe have been taking to the roads to Santiago for many centuries. As pilgrims traditionally started their journey from their own homes, various Camino routes developed over time, including many coming from different parts of France, the ‘Chemins de Compostelle’. Of the Camino routes in France, the Le Puy Camino, also known as the Via Podiensis or Le Puy Way, is one of the most popular with modern pilgrims.
This wasn’t always the case, and it seems back in medieval times other routes such as Vezelay, Arles and the Camino from Paris/Tours attracted more pilgrims. The Le Puy Camino route is one of the four main routes from France mentioned by Aymeric Picaud in the Camino’s first ever ‘guidebook’, the 12th century Codex Calixtinus. One of the high profile medieval pilgrims to Santiago was Godescalc, Bishop of Le Puy; who went on pilgrimage to Santiago in the 10th century; and is said to have inspired many other French pilgrims to do the same.
This is a route of spectacular landscapes and fascinating towns and today we share some of our favourites, these are our 6 must-sees on the Le Puy Camino:
LE PUY EN VELAY
The town of Le Puy en Velay has been a pilgrimage destination since the Middle Ages, since pilgrims from far and wide would travel to the town to visit the 11th century Notre-Dame du Puy Cathedral. The volcanic peaks of Le Puy en Velay rising from the valley, are quite a sight. It is easy to imagine medieval pilgrims making their way up the winding little cobbled streets to pay tribute to the Virgin of Le Puy. Today’s pilgrims can get an additional thrill from walking all the way up to the head of the Notre Dame de France statue, at the very top of the hill. From here you will get the greatest panoramic views of Le Puy en Velay and the surrounding valley.
Another iconic peak in Le Puy is the Rocher St Michel, where you can walk up the 268 steps to the chapel of Saint Michel d’Aiguilhe (known ad the needle), built by Bishop Godescalc after returning from his pilgrimage to Santiago.
Place du Plot in the historic town is the traditional gathering point for pilgrims starting the Le Puy Camino, before setting off, heading out of town along the aptly named Rue St Jacques.
*Le Puy en Velay is the starting point of the Le Puy Camino route.
The uplands of the Aubrac Plateau reward pilgrims on the Le Puy route with glorious open landscapes and fantastic wilderness. The hamlet of Dormerie d’Aubrac has an interesting story: legend has it that a Flemish pilgrim named Adalard, founded the village back in the 12th century to offer shelter and protection to fellow pilgrims on the way to Santiago, as a thank you for returning safely from his Camino journey. Pilgrimage in medieval times was a dangerous business!
The Le Puy Camino takes in very picturesque towns along the valley of the Lot River in the Aveyron department, such as Saint Come d’Olt with its quaint arched alleys and medieval charm; Espalion with its pretty riverfront and medieval bridge and Estaing, home to an imposing 15th century castle. They are officially among the ‘most beautiful villages in France’ (Les Plus Beaux Villages is actually a title awarded to French towns to acknowledge their heritage, history and natural beauty). You will notice street names in this area are in both French and Occitan.
*You will find the Lot Valley on the section of the Le Puy Way from Aubrac to Conques.
Surrounded by lush forests and magnificent mountains views, Conques is definitely the one place you should not to miss on the Le Puy Camino. There is something really special about this picture-perfect village. Its medieval character has been preserved nearly intact, and as you wander the little narrow streets lined by timbered houses, it is no surprise you will feel as if you are stepping back in time.
The 10th century Sainte Foy Cathedral has made Conques an important destination for pilgrims since medieval times. It is believed the relics of Sainte Foy, a young woman martyred in the 4th century, have the powers to cure eye ailments and even blindness. And did you know