Arrived in Le Puy and need a tip

[Former member 59618]

Bonjour!

After 20+ hours of travel from Southern California to Le Puy, I’m blissfully adjusting to jet lag and getting myself into ”pilgrim mode”.

It’s a gorgeous day here in Le Puy and I’m thrilled to be back on the Camino, my last one was 3 years ago (CF) and this time I decided to go big and NOT go home. Saved up $$, quit my job, sold my car and traveling for a year. What better way to kick it off than walk for 2.5 months.

I’m exhausted and would love if someone can point me to a pilgrim shop here in town. I know there’s a decathlon near the train station, but I’d like to hit up a pilgrim shop for a guidebook and some poles.

Merci

 

[naplesdon]

Both are not far from the tourist office.

 

[André Walker]

I know there’s a decathlon near the train station, but I’d like to hit up a pilgrim shop for a guidebook and some poles.

At the cathedral they used to sell the Miam Dodo guide. Although it's in French, it's easy enough to understand anyway.

But there are also a number of book shops you can try. According to their website, France Loisirs has a number of guidebooks in different languages...

 

[TMcA]

The Decathlon store is about two miles from the center of the city.

When I was last in Le Puy, about 4 years ago, there was another store for pilgrims and hikers on the GR65. Right hand side of street and about 2-3 blocks from the Tourist Office.

As @biarritzdon mentioned, the tourist office can help you. (Although I found their personnel pas sympha during my two visits to Le Puy. Very much in contrast to the other tourist offices on the GR65. I hope this has changed.)

 

[Davey Boyd]

The Decathlon store is about two miles from the center of the city.

When I was last in Le Puy, about 4 years ago, there was another store for pilgrims and hikers on the GR65. Right hand side of street and about 2-3 blocks from the Tourist Office.

As @biarritzdon mentioned, the tourist office can help you. (Although I found their personnel pas sympha during my two visits to Le Puy. Very much in contrast to the other tourist offices on the GR65. I hope this has changed.)

I was in the tourist info office in St. Jean in 2017. they hadn't changed then. Very unfriendly.
As for the GR65, worst tourist office I have ever stepped in was in Moissac. They were nice to tourists and detested pilgrims for some odd reason. The campsite in Moissac was even worse! They kicked me off for speaking bad French! The rest of the tourist offices on the GR65 were great.

Buen Camino Truenorthpilgrim! Hope you found what you were looking for!

Davey

 

[HaraldS]

Visit the Boutique du Pèlerin, 14 Rue Saint-Jacques, 43000 Le Puy-en-Velay, see https://goo.gl/maps/55gi2xroEbWREFTj7

Je te souhaite un bon chemin!

 

[naplesdon]

I got very friendly service at the Tourist Office in Le Puy. I was looking for the MMDD guide for the Cele variant at several of the bookstores and could only find it at the Cathedral's bookshop.

 

[HaraldS]

the Cele variant

By the way, I found this video very interesting: she does part of the Le Puy camino/Cele variant by canoe:

Maybe she booked here: https://www.location-canoe-cele.com/parcours-canoe-kayak-cele/randonnees-pelerins

Just in case you would be doing that too, could you post your experiences? Thanks!

 

[Former member 59618]

Thanks to all who answered. I received friendly service from the pilgrims office in Le Puy today and was kindly directed to the pilgrim shop to purchase.

 

[Former member 59618]

At the cathedral they used to sell the Miam Dodo guide. Although it's in French, it's easy enough to understand anyway.

But there are also a number of book shops you can try. According to their website, France Loisirs has a number of guidebooks in different languages...

View attachment 63674

I’m rather kicking myself because I plunked down some money for miam miam dodo before I saw this message. I’m having a hell of a time trying to decipher it; my French is tre bad.

 

[TMcA]

I’m rather kicking myself because I plunked down some money for miam miam dodo before I saw this message. I’m having a hell of a time trying to decipher it; my French is tre bad.

You'll find that it's easy to use. Don't give up on it.

 

[Davey Boyd]

I’m rather kicking myself because I plunked down some money for miam miam dodo before I saw this message. I’m having a hell of a time trying to decipher it; my French is tre bad.

My French is awful, but I soon got used to Miam Miam Dodo. Once you know what the little boxes in the listings are it is easy. As TMcA sais, it will come as you use it. Plus, Miam is very up to date with listings.

Davey

 

[Susan Maria]

Yes, get someone to tell you what all the little icons mean, write them in English in the key. Best guide book ever.

 

[André Walker]

I’m having a hell of a time trying to decipher it; my French is tre bad.

Coming from a small country, I’m used to dealing with a couple of foreign languages. If I jump to the left I’m in Belgium, if I jump to the right I’m in Germany. One deep breath and a few strokes and I’m in England.

I’m sorry. I should have realized that you, coming from Southern California, might perhaps feel more comfortable with Spanish than French.

 

[Former member 59618]

Coming from a small country, I’m used to dealing with a couple of foreign languages. If I jump to the left I’m in Belgium, if I jump to the right I’m in Germany. One deep breath and a few strokes and I’m in England.

I’m sorry. I should have realized that you, coming from Southern California, might perhaps feel more comfortable with Spanish than French.

I’m very comfortable with Spanish, having been born 30 minutes from Mexico, however as Americans, unfortunately we are not pushed to learn a second language, of which I’m ashamed of. I’m jealous of you!

 

[André Walker]

I’m jealous of you!

And I of you, walking a Camino as we write!, while I’m at home working (and dreaming about walking another one).

When I forget about my envy for a moment:

I wish you all the best, a buen Camino and a lot of wonderful moments and meaningful encounters. And bocadillo’s, tortilla’s, café con leche and vino tinto.

 

[Jun Meng]

Coming from a small country, I’m used to dealing with a couple of foreign languages. If I jump to the left I’m in Belgium, if I jump to the right I’m in Germany. One deep breath and a few strokes and I’m in England.

I’m sorry. I should have realized that you, coming from Southern California, might perhaps feel more comfortable with Spanish than French.

So you are a Dutch?? I suppose?