CityAuvergne751 km to Saint Jean Pied de Port

Le Puy-en-Velay

A dramatic volcanic city in the Auvergne and the starting point of Le Chemin du Puy. The Cathedral of Notre-Dame perched atop a volcanic plug and the towering statue of the Virgin on Rocher Corneille are iconic landmarks.

View accommodation Plan your arrival Start my Camino here

About Where to stay Explore Things to do Getting here Arrival day Practical info Find a bed

Services available

AccommodationRestaurantCafeGroceryPharmacyATMTrainPost OfficeBusPilgrim OfficeClinicWaterTobacconistAirport

About Le Puy-en-Velay

Le Puy-en-Velay is a dramatic city built among volcanic peaks in the Auvergne region of central France, and the traditional starting point of Le Chemin du Puy, the most popular of the four historic French pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela.

The city's Cathedral of Notre-Dame du Puy, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is perched atop a volcanic plug and accessed by a grand stone staircase. The towering red statue of Notre-Dame de France on the Rocher Corneille and the Chapel of Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe on its own volcanic needle are unforgettable sights.

Pilgrims begin their journey with a blessing at the cathedral each morning. The city has a full range of services including gites, hotels, restaurants, shops, ATMs, and pharmacies. Le Puy is famous for its green lentils (lentilles vertes du Puy) and its traditional lace-making.

Where to stay

Beds in Le Puy-en-Velay, night by night

Every kind of bed in one place: online booking, direct-contact albergues, walk-ins and donativos. Live prices for your night.

October 15 to October 28Each night shows how many places you can book online and the lowest price. Select a night to see the detail.From

Swipe for more nights

Thursday, October 15Albergue dorms and private rooms both count. Walk-in and donativo albergues never sell out online: arrive early in the day instead.

Prices come live from our booking partners and change with demand. Walk-in and donativo albergues are not counted here: they are in the full list at the bottom of the page.

Explore

Explore Le Puy-en-Velay

The Camino through town, with prices where the beds are. Amber is the route; each pin is a place to stay.

Select a pin to highlight the property.

Things to do

Things to do in Le Puy-en-Velay

6 things

Camino MomentReceive the Pilgrim Blessing at the CathedralEvery morning at 7am, pilgrims gather in the Cathedral of Notre-Dame du Puy for a brief blessing before setting out on the GR65. The priest addresses the gathered walkers, offers prayers for a safe journey, and sends them on their way through the cathedral's lower doors and down the stone steps into the old town. It is a simple, moving ceremony that has been repeated daily for decades. Arriving early and sitting in the quiet, dark cathedral before the blessing begins is the…

SightClimb to the Chapel of Saint-Michel d'AiguilheA 10th-century chapel perched on top of a volcanic needle, reached by climbing 268 steps carved into the rock. The chapel was built in 969 by Bishop Godescalc upon his return from Santiago, making it directly connected to the pilgrimage you are about to undertake. The climb is steep but the views from the top are extraordinary, looking across the volcanic basin to the cathedral, the Virgin statue, and the rooftops of Le Puy. The interior of the chapel is small, intimate, and…

SightVisit the Cathedral of Notre-DameThe cathedral is built on a volcanic outcrop and reached by climbing a grand stone staircase from the old town. The building is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture, with Byzantine and Moorish influences visible in its arches and decoration. The Black Madonna (Vierge Noire) in the sanctuary is a revered statue that has drawn pilgrims for centuries. The cloisters, with their polychrome stonework and carved capitals, are among the finest in…

SightExplore the Old TownLe Puy's old town (the medieval quarter below the cathedral) is a maze of narrow streets, stone staircases, artisan shops, and small restaurants. The Rue des Tables leads up from the lower town to the cathedral steps and is the traditional pilgrim exit route. The Place du Plot is the lively central square, surrounded by cafes. The old town has a strong craft tradition, particularly in lace making, which has been practised here since the 15th century.

FoodEat Lentilles Vertes du PuyLe Puy is famous for its green lentils (lentilles vertes du Puy), which have AOC (appellation d'origine controlee) status. These small, dark green lentils hold their shape when cooked and have a distinctive nutty, slightly peppery flavour. They appear on every restaurant menu in town: in salads, soups, with sausages, or as a side dish. Try them in a salade tiede (warm salad) with lardons and a poached egg. They are also sold dried in shops throughout the town and make an…

SightSee the Statue of Notre-Dame de FranceThe 16-metre tall cast-iron statue of the Virgin Mary stands on the Rocher Corneille, another volcanic plug in the centre of Le Puy. Cast from 213 cannons captured at the Siege of Sebastopol in 1856, the statue is reached by a short, steep climb. From the base, the views across the volcanic basin and the city are superb. The statue, the cathedral, and the Chapel of Saint-Michel create a triangular skyline that is unlike any other city in France.

Getting here

Getting to Le Puy-en-Velay

How to reach your starting point from major cities and airports.

By air

By Air

The nearest major airports are Lyon-Saint Exupery (around 2.5 hours by train via Saint-Etienne) and Paris CDG or Orly (around 5 hours by TGV to Saint-Etienne, then regional train). There is a small local airport at Loudes, 20 minutes by car from the town centre, but with very limited services.

By airBy Air

By trainBy Train

Regional trains connect Le Puy-en-Velay from Saint-Etienne (around 1.5 hours) and Clermont-Ferrand. From Paris, take the TGV to Saint-Etienne then transfer to the regional service. Le Puy-en-Velay station is a short walk from the old town and the cathedral.

By busBy Bus

Regional bus services connect Le Puy-en-Velay from Saint-Etienne and surrounding towns. FlixBus also runs limited services from larger French cities. Check Auvergne-Mobilite for regional connections.

By taxi or transferBy Car

Le Puy-en-Velay is well connected by road from Lyon, Clermont-Ferrand, and Montpellier. Parking is available near the old town but spaces fill quickly in pilgrim season (April to October). You will not need a car once you begin walking.

Arrival day

What to do on arrival

Your checklist for arrival day in Le Puy-en-Velay.

You can purchase your credential at two places in Le Puy-en-Velay. The Cathedrale shop sells them during opening hours. Alternatively, the Association of Friends of Saint-Jacques du Velay has a welcome office at Le Camino (2 Rue de la Manecanterie), open daily from 2pm to 7pm between 1 April and 15 October. Experienced former pilgrims staff this office and are happy to share advice about the route ahead.

All accommodation

Places to stay in Le Puy-en-Velay

Our Koala Picks first, then donativos, albergues and hostels, hotels, and everything else. Within each group the best-reviewed places lead.

Prices for the night of

Loading places to stay…

Practical info

Practical information

Everything you need to know for your time in Le Puy-en-Velay.

Pilgrim Office

Association of Friends of Saint-Jacques du Velay — Le Camino, 2 Rue de la Manecanterie. Open daily 2pm to 7pm, 1 April to 15 October. Also available at the Cathedrale shop during opening hours.

ATM / Banks

ATMs are available in the town centre near the main square (Place du Breuil) and along the main shopping streets. Stock up before leaving town as services become sparse in the first few stages.