camino guide book for the Le Puy route

[vidajoy]

Hey there! I'm starting my Camino journey with the Le Puy in France before continuing on the Del Norte in Spain. I'm wondering if I can purchase my guide books at the cathedrals/start of those trails just before I start walking if thats an option or if I have to buy them online before I go? (I'm flying from New Zealand). I would prefer not to carry the guide book for Spain through France so if I can purchase it at the border somewhere that would be amazing!
Please let me know if you have any experience in doing this

 

[TaijiPilgrim]

You can purchase Le Puy guides at the cathedral store. I don’t recall if they have other guidebooks but there are some sporting stores you can try.

 

[JerryStroebele]

I like to carry a paper guide but don’t forget those nice light apps and Kindle guide books. Buen Camino

 

[good_old_shoes]

Guide books for the GR65 should be available in Le Puy. There's also an e-book version of the miam miam dodo (most common guide book for that way) if that's your kind of thing. You can buy it here: https://www.levieuxcrayon.com/collections/ebooks

In St Jean there's a pilgrim/hiking shop that also sells guide books, but since you're heading towards the Norte that's probably irrelevant for you - unless you're walking St. Jean - Bayonne to get there?

Happy planning and Buen Camino!

 

[vleadbe]

This is the route I am planning this year! I have just purchased the Miam Miam Dodo book and the Wise Pilgrim Camino Norte guide. I havent actually worked out how I am going to get to the Norte yet, thats for later! I am hopeful that Lourdes will be open by then so I can visit but I know it is currently closed due to COVID. Im praying COVID doesnt disrupt any more plans for this year. I cant speak any French so the Le Puy route will be interesting for booking accommodation ect but I can only do my best. Im torn between booking most of it in advance or only a few days in advance when I am out there to help me be more flexible.

 

[jo_nz]

This is the route I am planning this year! I have just purchased the Miam Miam Dodo book and the Wise Pilgrim Camino Norte guide. I havent actually worked out how I am going to get to the Norte yet, thats for later! I am hopeful that Lourdes will be open by then so I can visit but I know it is currently closed due to COVID. Im praying COVID doesnt disrupt any more plans for this year. I cant speak any French so the Le Puy route will be interesting for booking accommodation ect but I can only do my best. Im torn between booking most of it in advance or only a few days in advance when I am out there to help me be more flexible.

We are also walking Le Puy to Santiago, but will probably take Frances to Leon, then San Salvador to Oviedo and then onto the Primativo. We did the Norte in 2018. (Leaving NZ on 6 June) But then maybe we will toss a coin to see when we get to sjpp
You apparently can get the guides in Le Puy, but I have downloaded Miam Miam Dodo and also the Wises for the others.
Am just wanting now to know the best Sim Card to get in France - vodafone/orange etc. Roaming rates from New Zealand are ridiculous!!

 

[Buitenbeentje]

This is also the route I'm gonna walk. Staring next week in Le Puy-en-Velay to SJPdP. From there walking to Irun to do El Camino del Norte and probably El Primitivo to SdC.
For those 3 caminos I have the Cicerone guidebooks. I used them before with other long distance hikes I did in Europe. And I really like them.

When I walked the Via Francigena last year, I used the Lightfoot guides. Also really good guides, I think there is also a Lightfoot guide for the Via Podiensis.

For the connection between SJPDP and Irun I ordered a little guide in Dutch from Hans v.d. Breul. But I don't know if I like it that much. The maps are really vague (bad copies?).
But it's a short distance (ab 75 km) and basically just follow the D918 for the most part. Or if you like a more mountainous route follow the GR-10.

The reason I have/need all those maps/guides on paper is because I don't own a smartphone.
Also, in my experience the balisage for the GR routes in France is mostly really good. But of course it's good to have a backup. Either on paper, or on your phone. (if you have a smartphone).

 

[AJGuillaume]

For the connection between SJPDP and Irun I ordered a little guide in Dutch from Hans v.d. Breul. But I don't know if I like it that much. The maps are really vague (bad copies?).

In 2018, we walked from SJPdP to Hendaye and then Irún. We followed the maps we found here:

Voie Nive - Bidassoa (St Jean P. Port - Hendaye / Irun) – Compostelle.fr

Voie Nive - Bidassoa : Pour rejoindre la Côte depuis St Jean Pied de Port : le sentier de St Jean Pied de Port à Hendaye GR-10* (balisé FFRP ) est un itinéraire de montagne long (5 à 6 étapes),…

www.aucoeurduchemin.org

There is also a list of lodgings.

 

[vidajoy]

This is the route I am planning this year! I have just purchased the Miam Miam Dodo book and the Wise Pilgrim Camino Norte guide. I havent actually worked out how I am going to get to the Norte yet, thats for later! I am hopeful that Lourdes will be open by then so I can visit but I know it is currently closed due to COVID. Im praying COVID doesnt disrupt any more plans for this year. I cant speak any French so the Le Puy route will be interesting for booking accommodation ect but I can only do my best. Im torn between booking most of it in advance or only a few days in advance when I am out there to help me be more flexible.

nice!! I haven't worked out any of that yet either, I will work it out as the trip unfolds and I meet people along the way who I'm sure will do the same route as me Do you need to book accommodation in advance for France?

 

[vidajoy]

In 2018, we walked from SJPdP to Hendaye and then Irún. We followed the maps we found here:

Voie Nive - Bidassoa (St Jean P. Port - Hendaye / Irun) – Compostelle.fr

Voie Nive - Bidassoa : Pour rejoindre la Côte depuis St Jean Pied de Port : le sentier de St Jean Pied de Port à Hendaye GR-10* (balisé FFRP ) est un itinéraire de montagne long (5 à 6 étapes),…

www.aucoeurduchemin.org

There is also a list of lodgings.

thanks so much!!