Food on Le Puy

[Cherylan]

Kia ora from New Zealand! My husband and I walked the Camino Frances with 8 other family members in 2016 and will fly out from Christchurch New Zealand this Monday to walk from Le Puy to Santiago de Compostela. We plan on camping on most of the French part of our pilgrimage. I am worried about one post that said there are not many places to buy food from.., which will be a problem as we had intended to eat at cafés and restaurants as we walk. Any ideas?

 

[Pafayac]

No fear about finding food in France ! It can be difficult to find open shops during May because there are many holidays (1st of May, 8th of May...). But you can easily find cafe and restaurant on Podiensis.
However you should remind that life in France is more expensive than in Spain
In most of small villages on the Via Podiensis you will find at least a café, a bakery or a small grocery.
The "Wise Pilgrim Vía Podiensis" application shows you were you can find shops.

 

[dick bird]

French cafes and restaurants tend to be more particular about opening and closing times than their Spanish counterparts, for example many restaurants will not take lunch orders after 1 o'clock and it can be difficult to get a cheap meal in the evening. Shops may close early in the day too and invariably on Sunday, so eating may take a bit more forward planning than it would on the Camino Frances in Spain.

 

[SimoneLucky]

I’ve just walked this route. Just keep in mind that it’s not at all like the CF, which if my memory serves me correctly, had food stops seemingly everywhere. It will definitely require a little more planning on your part, but nothing to be worried about! Mondays though nearly everything was closed. Enjoy! A beautiful route

 

[mrosenlof]

I am in Conques on the Le Puy route right now. I carry a food bag that has a 2 to 4 lunches worth of food and restock as I hit the larger towns. Nuts, dry sausage, hard cheese, chocolate. Calorie density over nutrition. I've had meals at the gites every night, and have not yet gotten a packed lunch from a gîte. Sauges, Espalion, Nasbinals, St. Alban all have supermarkets -- size varies -- open 7 days. I'm probably missing one or two. Aumont Aubrac also. There are also small businesses along the route with good food, cafes, not grocery stores. The weather was poor my first week and some places were closed, especially if they only have outdoor tables. I haven't done a lot of planning, but I always have a meal or three with me.

 

[Pafayac]

I've had meals at the gites every night, and have not yet gotten a packed lunch from a gîte.

I suggest to avoid packed lunches from gîte: they are often overrated.
You will find bakeries ("boulangeries") which are selling cheap sandwiches, or even some groceries (from St Côme d'Olt, in the Lot Valley) where you can buy ham, bread, fruits and cheese.
Welcome in France, and enjoy !