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Church · Le Puy-en-Velay, Auvérnia-Ródano-Alpes
Cathédrale Notre-Dame du Puy
The Romanesque cathedral atop the old town, a World Heritage site as part of the Routes of Santiago in France, with the Black Madonna, the fever stone and a cloister of polychrome arches.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Cathédrale Notre-Dame du Puy
The Cathedral of Notre-Dame-de-l'Annonciation dominates Le Puy's old town, built at the foot of the Corneille rock. It has been a Marian sanctuary since the end of Antiquity and was, during the Middle Ages, one of France's major pilgrimage centers. In 1998 it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, together with the adjacent former Hôtel-Dieu, as part of the Routes of Santiago in France.
The west façade, of stones in various colors, with arches and mosaics, is reached by a long staircase that begins on the rue des Tables. The stair continues beneath the porch and formerly led pilgrims to enter the nave from below, through the church floor.
On the Baroque high altar is the Black Madonna, a pilgrimage object for centuries; the current image replaces the one burned during the French Revolution. In a chapel is the fever stone, a basalt slab linked to the legend of the sanctuary's origin, where pilgrims still lie down. The cloister next door has arches with alternating light and dark stones.
The cathedral is the starting point of the Le Puy route: the morning mass ends with the blessing of the pilgrims who set out from there towards Santiago, descending the staircase.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Allow about 1 to 1½ hours for the cathedral and cloister.
Best time
Early in the morning to attend the pilgrims' mass and the blessing, or late afternoon when it's quieter. The cloister has its own opening hours: check beforehand.
How to get there
It's located atop the old town, about a 15-minute walk from the station, up the rue des Tables and the staircase. There is no car access to the door.
Tip
Climb the rue des Tables to get the view of the façade at the top of the stairs. After the cathedral, head to the Corneille rock just behind it.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Cathédrale Notre-Dame du Puy
What is the fever stone?
A slab of basalt kept in a chapel of the cathedral, linked to the legend of the sanctuary's origin. According to tradition, whoever lies on it can be healed.
Is the cathedral a World Heritage site?
Yes, since 1998, together with the Hôtel-Dieu next door, as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France.
Is there a blessing for pilgrims at the cathedral?
Yes, the morning mass usually ends with a blessing for those setting out on the way. Check the schedule beforehand.
How many steps are there in the cathedral staircase?
The stairway that rises from the street to the porch has more than a hundred steps. Take it easy and wear comfortable shoes.