Cidade Turismo
France

Before you go

Your trip to Le Puy-en-Velay.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Get it on Google Play

Le Puy-en-Velay – Auvérnia-Ródano-Alpes Destination Le Puy, Conques and the Vale do Lot about 133 km from Lyon

How to get there

  • Aéroport du Puy-en-Velay - Loudes (LPY) Chaspuzac · 12 km
  • Aéroport Lyon-Saint-Exupéry (LYS) Colombier-Saugnieu · 160 km
  • Gare du Puy-en-Velay 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before buying. From Paris or Lyon, the train reaches Le Puy with a change in Saint-Étienne or Lyon; from Lyon it's about 133 km by road. The station is roughly 1 km from the old town. The city's airport has few flights; Lyon airport has more options.

How many days

One day covers the cathedral, the Corneille rock, the chapel of Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe and the old town. With two days there's time for the Musée Crozatier and the fortress of Polignac. Pilgrims often arrive the day before to pick up their credential and set off after the morning mass at the cathedral.

When to go

From May to September the weather is usually good for climbing the rocks and starting the route. The town sits above 600 meters altitude: winters are cold, with possible snow. In September the King of the Bird festival takes place, with the town in a Renaissance atmosphere; book accommodation in advance.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. The old town, the cathedral, the Corneille rock and Aiguilhe are explored on foot, with many steep streets and stairs. A car is useful for the fortress of Polignac, 5 km away, and for the region's volcanoes. Wear comfortable footwear: the streets are cobbled and steep.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Le Puy-en-Velay
  1. Morning
    Cathedral and cloister

    Climb the rue des Tables and the staircase up to the cathedral of Notre-Dame. See the Black Madonna, the fever stone and the cloister with polychrome arches.

  2. Afternoon
    Corneille rock and Aiguilhe

    Climb the Corneille rock to the statue of Notre-Dame de France. Then walk to Aiguilhe and climb the 268 steps of the chapel of Saint-Michel.

  3. Late afternoon
    Old town and the bobbin lace

    Walk down the old town streets to the place du Plot, seeing the shops and bobbin lace ateliers.

  4. Evening
    Dinner with lentils

    Dine on Le Puy green lentils, a regional dish, and try the Velay verbena liqueur.

2 days in Le Puy-en-Velay

Day 1

  1. Morning
    Cathedral

    Cathedral, cloister and the rue des Tables staircase.

  2. Afternoon
    The rock pinnacles

    Corneille rock and the chapel of Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe.

  3. Late afternoon
    Old town

    Stone streets, place du Plot and lace ateliers.

  4. Evening
    Dinner

    Velay cuisine in the center.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    Musée Crozatier

    Collections of art, lace, natural history and technology in the museum of the Jardin Henri-Vinay.

  2. Afternoon
    Fortress of Polignac

    Go to the fortress of Polignac, 5 km away, on a basalt plateau with views over the valley.

  3. Late afternoon
    City viewpoint

    Return to the center and view the town and the rocks from the top of Corneille rock or from the Polignac road.

  4. Evening
    Eve of the route

    For those who will walk: credential in hand and backpack ready for the morning mass.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Why is Le Puy a starting point of the Camino de Santiago?

The town has been a pilgrimage sanctuary since the Middle Ages and is the start of the Via Podiensis, the Le Puy route, which continues to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in the Pyrenees and from there to Santiago.

Where does the pilgrim get the credential in Le Puy?

At the cathedral, at the pilgrims' welcome desk, or at Camino associations. Many attend the morning mass, which ends with the blessing of those who set off. Check times beforehand.

How to get to Le Puy from Paris?

By train, with a change in Lyon or Saint-Étienne. The journey usually takes 4 to 5 hours.

What to eat in Le Puy?

Le Puy green lentils, with an appellation of origin, mountain meats and cheeses, and the Velay verbena liqueur.

Does Le Puy have a lot of stairs?

Yes. The cathedral sits at the top, the Aiguilhe chapel has 268 steps and the Corneille rock is also climbed on foot. Bring comfortable footwear.

Back to Le Puy-en-Velay
Back