Le Puy-en-Velay town

[John Phillips]

Is there a pilgrim office or any other "pilgrim activity" in the town?

 

[Josefus]

Is there a pilgrim office or any other "pilgrim activity" in the town?

I don´t know of a pilgrims office but there´s a Tourist Information Office at
2, place du Clauzel.
And in "normal times" there´s a pilgrims mass every morning at 7:00 in the cathedral.

 

[NorthernLight]

I have a vague memory of there being a welcome spot at the cathedral. Local volunteers being on site at certain times.

When I was there in 2012, one of the pilgrim gîte nearby was run by volunteer hospitaleros from the Association Amis de Saint Jacques du Velay, who shared a welcome drink with you before checking you in. I think you could just drop by for a visit if you stayed elsewhere.

 

[naplesdon]

As mentioned the Tourist Office can be very helpful in cluding helping with reservations and recommendations for places to stay, the Cathedral Gift Shop/Bookstore has helpful people and there is a book store and hiking supply shop around the corner from the Tourist Office.

 

[Tandem Graham]

In normal times, and during the walking season (April-October) there is a volunteer-run pilgrim office 'Le Camino' open for a few hours each day, not far from the side entrance to the cathedral. (Zoom in on Google Maps, just South of the cathedral to locate.) It takes the form of a cafe with terrace plus shop with books, map and pilgrim paraphenalia during the afternoon.
In the early evening (check notice on the door for times), there is usually a pilgrim welcome event, lubricated in the French way with a glass of something, which is a chance to meet those you might see in the pilgrim mass or on the road the following morning and receive any last minute helpful advice.
Pilgrim Mass is at 7.00 am, usually in an intimate side chapel within the cathedral. Well worth attending, even if you're not particularly adherent, for the informal group chat with the priest (or even Bishop!) afterwards, credential stamp and keepsake. The personal intro, sorted by geography, of each pilgrim group helps to unlock everyone's shyness before the main door facing west is opened and the journey begins (or continues if you've walked from Geneva!)

 

[Mournes]

In normal times, and during the walking season (April-October) there is a volunteer-run pilgrim office 'Le Camino' open for a few hours each day, not far from the side entrance to the cathedral. (Zoom in on Google Maps, just South of the cathedral to locate.) It takes the form of a cafe with terrace plus shop with books, map and pilgrim paraphenalia during the afternoon.
In the early evening (check notice on the door for times), there is usually a pilgrim welcome event, lubricated in the French way with a glass of something, which is a chance to meet those you might see in the pilgrim mass or on the road the following morning and receive any last minute helpful advice.
Pilgrim Mass is at 7.00 am, usually in an intimate side chapel within the cathedral. Well worth attending, even if you're not particularly adherent, for the informal group chat with the priest (or even Bishop!) afterwards, credential stamp and keepsake. The personal intro, sorted by geography, of each pilgrim group helps to unlock everyone's shyness before the main door facing west is opened and the journey begins (or continues if you've walked from Geneva!)
[/QUOTE
In addition to the excellent information Tandem has provided the French Federation of the Associations of St Jacques Better known as La Federation

In normal times, and during the walking season (April-October) there is a volunteer-run pilgrim office 'Le Camino' open for a few hours each day, not far from the side entrance to the cathedral. (Zoom in on Google Maps, just South of the cathedral to locate.) It takes the form of a cafe with terrace plus shop with books, map and pilgrim paraphenalia during the afternoon.
In the early evening (check notice on the door for times), there is usually a pilgrim welcome event, lubricated in the French way with a glass of something, which is a chance to meet those you might see in the pilgrim mass or on the road the following morning and receive any last minute helpful advice.
Pilgrim Mass is at 7.00 am, usually in an intimate side chapel within the cathedral. Well worth attending, even if you're not particularly adherent, for the informal group chat with the priest (or even Bishop!) afterwards, credential stamp and keepsake. The personal intro, sorted by geography, of each pilgrim group helps to unlock everyone's shyness before the main door facing west is opened and the journey begins (or continues if you've walked from Geneva!)

In addition to the excellent detailed information from Tandem there is a Pilgrim Information Centre staffed by volunteers from the Federation of French Associations of St Jacques de Compostelle.The address is 23 Rue des Tables , Le Puy en Velay.

 

[Glenshiro]

There is (or was) an organisation, Les Amis du Puy, at 29 Rue Cardinal de Polignac, Le Puy-en-Velay, which opens at 6 pm - 7.30 to welcome pilgrims with une verre d'amitie (a glass of wine) between 1 April - 15 October. Good opportunity to meet fellow pilgrims.

 

[Andresin]

I got my passport at the Cathedral gift shop.

 

[lt56ny]

Another suggestion I would offer is if you are arriving in Paris there (at least there used to be) a pilgrim office in Paris. It has alot of good information and guides and you can get your credential there. Of course no one spoke English and my French is about 0%. I still got some good information and learned I should have listened to the lady in the office as she kept handing me the Miam Miam Dodo guide. I bought the small Michelin guide book. When I walked I found it to be wholly inadequate. I know others feel differently. It wasn't until I was about 4 days out of St. Jean when I looked at the guide and realized how much better it was and so easy to understand even if I can't speak a word of French. I had been carrying the Brierley guide all the way for my CF segment. I should have bought the Dodo guide and bought the Brierley in St. Jean.

 

[flickchic98]

Yes the Dodo guide is fantastic for France. Do yourself a favor, before you go try to learn a few phrases that will get you through on the phone as you try to make a reservation. I am an extremely slow walker and found that the municipal albergues were full by the time I got there. There aren't as many in the GR65 as there are in the CF so chances are you will have to make reservations at a bnb at least once. Do it if you can, splurge if you can, all the food I had in people's homes was exquisite.
DUALINGO.com is free and very very helpful to learn a few french phrases and the locals will appreciate your effort.
Also the GR65 has lots of camping options(unlike the CF) so if camping is something that you'd consider take a tent and save a few bucks! The cathedral mass in LePuy in the morning is beautiful. Go if you can. Have a terrific time.

 

[jouffroy47]

During peak season (April-October), there is a pilgrim's mass daily at 7 am . Here's the Cathedral's website info: https://www.cathedraledupuy.org/guides/english/practical-information

 

[jouffroy47]

There is also a pilgrim welcome daily 5:30 - 7:30 pm at Au Camino, 2 rue de la Manécanterie

 

[John Phillips]

In normal times, and during the walking season (April-October) there is a volunteer-run pilgrim office 'Le Camino' open for a few hours each day, not far from the side entrance to the cathedral. (Zoom in on Google Maps, just South of the cathedral to locate.) It takes the form of a cafe with terrace plus shop with books, map and pilgrim paraphenalia during the afternoon.
In the early evening (check notice on the door for times), there is usually a pilgrim welcome event, lubricated in the French way with a glass of something, which is a chance to meet those you might see in the pilgrim mass or on the road the following morning and receive any last minute helpful advice.
Pilgrim Mass is at 7.00 am, usually in an intimate side chapel within the cathedral. Well worth attending, even if you're not particularly adherent, for the informal group chat with the priest (or even Bishop!) afterwards, credential stamp and keepsake. The personal intro, sorted by geography, of each pilgrim group helps to unlock everyone's shyness before the main door facing west is opened and the journey begins (or continues if you've walked from Geneva!)

Thanks, very helpful

 

[Natcats]

she kept handing me the Miam Miam Dodo guide. I bought the small Michelin guide book. When I walked I found it to be wholly inadequate.

This was also my experience with the Michelin. The wee green booklet is a good size for pockets but seemed incomplete compared to fellow walkers' MMDD.

 

[Steelnothing]

Yes the Dodo guide is fantastic for France. Do yourself a favor, before you go try to learn a few phrases that will get you through on the phone as you try to make a reservation. I am an extremely slow walker and found that the municipal albergues were full by the time I got there. There aren't as many in the GR65 as there are in the CF so chances are you will have to make reservations at a bnb at least once. Do it if you can, splurge if you can, all the food I had in people's homes was exquisite.
DUALINGO.com is free and very very helpful to learn a few french phrases and the locals will appreciate your effort.
Also the GR65 has lots of camping options(unlike the CF) so if camping is something that you'd consider take a tent and save a few bucks! The cathedral mass in LePuy in the morning is beautiful. Go if you can. Have a terrific time.

Great post. The language app. is Duolingo
Best wishes
Bryan

 

[flickchic98]

Great post. The language app. is Duolingo
Best wishes
Bryan

DOH! Thanks for the correction!

 

[flickchic98]

Yes the Dodo guide is fantastic for France. Do yourself a favor, before you go try to learn a few phrases that will get you through on the phone as you try to make a reservation. I am an extremely slow walker and found that the municipal albergues were full by the time I got there. There aren't as many in the GR65 as there are in the CF so chances are you will have to make reservations at a bnb at least once. Do it if you can, splurge if you can, all the food I had in people's homes was exquisite.
DUALINGO.com is free and very very helpful to learn a few french phrases and the locals will appreciate your effort.
Also the GR65 has lots of camping options(unlike the CF) so if camping is something that you'd consider take a tent and save a few bucks! The cathedral mass in LePuy in the morning is beautiful. Go if you can. Have a terrific time.

Apologies - the foreign language site is DUOLINGO.COM.