accomodation on Le Puy route
Hi Plodding Pilgrim,
I last walked the Le Puy route in 2005 during April/May. This is the period following Easter with several feast days and holidays so there were, at times, lots of walkers on the route doing short stretches. Once we had to go off route and stay in an hotel, Livinac-le-Haut was very busy but we got beds, and at Lascabanes some had to go further. The CSJ guide for 2004 says '...it is becoming increasing necessary to book ahead from June to September', this is if you intend to stay in the gites d'etape. My guess would be that Autumn will be quieter and as Kiwi says, you can book a day or two ahead and work your stages accordingly. Try to get a good idea of how many French people are on the route because they tend to book well ahead whereas 'les etrangers' are less organised or less anxious. Less French means more beds.
I haven't used the MMD guide but the CSJ guide, I think, is good and has telephone numbers, etc.
Buen Camino,
Brendan