best stops for planned rest days on the Le Puy route

[rglongpre]

Hi all - what are your suggestions for the best stops for planned rest days on the Le Puy to SJPdP route? I am hoping to take periodic stops for some R&R along the way.

So far I have considered Conques and Moissac.

As well, what are your "must stay at" gites/auberges on the route from Le Puy to SJPdP? I leave Le Puy en Velay on September 1st. Plane tickets from Canada are now in hand to Paris and have train plans from Paris to Le Puy for August 31st.

buen camino / bon courage / bon chemin
Robert

 

[robertt]

Robert, a few of us would recommend the Ultreia gite near the railway station at Moissac. It's run by an Irish couple who've been especially helpful to English-speaking pilgrims over the years.

Of course, Conques is a wonderful place to rest. By paying a bit more, you can get your own room at the abbey, if desired, and still enjoy the refectory and other joint activities.

Congrats on your decision.

Rob

 

[rglongpre]

Robert, a few of us would recommend the Ultreia gite near the railway station at Moissac. It's run by an Irish couple who've been especially helpful to English-speaking pilgrims over the years.

Of course, Conques is a wonderful place to rest. By paying a bit more, you can get your own room at the abbey, if desired, and still enjoy the refectory and other joint activities.

Congrats on your decision.

Rob

Rob, I much appreciate the recommendation for the Ultreia gite and about getting a room in the Abbey in Conques. Thank you.

Robert

 

[Kitsambler]

Conques and Moissac without a doubt - they were major pilgrimage points themselves in the old days and have much to offer. I too can recommend Ultreia in Moissac; for Conques, the closer you are to the church the better, since everything is built on a steep slant.

Cahors and Condom are also large towns with many services (including rail connections if you need them).

I give info on my lodging experiences in my blog (link under the blog section, above).

 

[gittiharre]

Just got back from this route and delighted with all the places we stayed at and good stop off places are Cahors, Moissac, half a day in Conques, check http://www.gittiharre.blogspot.co.nz

 

[sunsurf]

Hi Gitti
Thank you for a wonderful blog and beautiful photo's. I walked from Le Puy to Figeac in June this year and being a first timer I read your previous blog regarding the Le Puy route (written in August 2009) a few times before I left. Staying (and eating) in some of the places you described was so good. Hopefully I will restart from Figeac one day and make use of your blogs once again!
Sunsurf

 

[gittiharre]

Cool feedback, thank you, enjoy the next stages, love, Gitti

 

[newfydog]

Saugues might be a bit early, but take the time to visit the museum of the Bete of the Gevaudan. You'll see him on the trail.

 

[grilly]

I can recommend pretty much every 'halte de compostelle' http://www.haltesverscompostelle.fr/32322/index.html
We stopped at many of them on our way to St Jean. I see some of those I had liked seem to have closed. To be accepted as a 'halte' you have to commit to a highly hospitable way of receiving pilgrims and the meals in some cases are spectacular.

 

[rglongpre]

Conques and Moissac without a doubt - they were major pilgrimage points themselves in the old days and have much to offer. I too can recommend Ultreia in Moissac; for Conques, the closer you are to the church the better, since everything is built on a steep slant.

Cahors and Condom are also large towns with many services (including rail connections if you need them).

I give info on my lodging experiences in my blog (link under the blog section, above).

Hi Kitsambler. I am impressed with another suggestion for Ultreia in Moissac. If I can I will make a reservation for there for two nights (web URL anyone?). I will spend a half-day in Conques and Condom and perhaps a full day in Cahors. So many good suggestions. Thanks.

 

[rglongpre]

Just got back from this route and delighted with all the places we stayed at and good stop off places are Cahors, Moissac, half a day in Conques, check http://www.gittiharre.blogspot.co.nz

I have begun reading the blog and want to thank you for this great resource.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

http://www.ultreiamoissac.com/

 

[rglongpre]

http://www.ultreiamoissac.com/

Thanks for this valuable URL, Falcon. Now to do the booking. By the way, any suggestions for Le Puy? Accueil St François is already "complet." Of course the closer to the cathedral is better so as to make the walk to the cathedral in the early morning for the pilgrim mass less difficult as I expect it might be a bit dark at that early hour. Thanks, again.

Robert

 

[Deleted member 3000]

http://www.lescapucins.net/gite/

 

[rglongpre]

Saugues might be a bit early, but take the time to visit the museum of the Bete of the Gevaudan. You'll see him on the trail.

Newfy Dog, thanks for the suggestion. I will definitely add the museum to my "to do" list.

 

[rglongpre]

http://www.lescapucins.net/gite/

Thanks again, Falcon. I have made contact and look forward to a positive answer.

 

[rglongpre]

I can recommend pretty much every 'halte de compostelle' http://www.haltesverscompostelle.fr/32322/index.html
We stopped at many of them on our way to St Jean. I see some of those I had liked seem to have closed. To be accepted as a 'halte' you have to commit to a highly hospitable way of receiving pilgrims and the meals in some cases are spectacular.

Another great URL resource! I also visited your blogsite and was impressed - beautiful poetry and photographs.. Thanks, Grilly.

 

[newfydog]

By the way, any suggestions for Le Puy? Accueil St François is already "complet."
Robert

The Hotel:


The beds:

 

[peregrina2000]

I haven't been on this route for years, but one of my most wonderful memories was going into the Conques cathedral for the evening service, which involved pilgrims who were staying in the abbey. Afterwards, they open the upper passageways and you can wander way up high in the cathedral, inches from unbelievable romanesque carvings on the capitals at the top of the unbelievably high columns, all of which are beautifully lighted. The organ was playing and it was magical. Don't miss it if you have a chance. Buen camino, Laurie

 

[Kitsambler]

Le Puy: Another vote for Le Capuchins. They have rooms as well as dorms, and will pack a picnic lunch for you if you request when making reservation. It is convenient to leaving town in the morning, but across town from the cathedral.

Conques: Although I was not staying at the abbey gite, I happened to be in the nave about 30-45 minutes prior to vespers, and the monks invited everyone to come sing with them in the chancel. What a lovely service!

 

[KiwiNomad06]

I have stayed in Conques twice now, and the first time I was told the Abbey was 'complet' when I rang so I never tried to stay there. However I later learned that each day they keep aside some beds that they do not reserve, and these are available for a certain number of people who turn up without reservations. This year when I rang, I was also unable to reserve, but I arrived soon after 2pm when they 'opened' for the day, and I was able to get a bed in a dorm quite easily. (And in fact I could have had a single room to myself if I had chosen that option.)
Margaret

 

[Anniesantiago]

We stayed in the Abbey at Moissac this year and it was lovely!
We also visited Ultreia, and the people there were very nice, so either place should be great!
These two, Arudy, and Borce were my favorite stops.

We walked from Lourdes...

You can see our trip notes and photos on my blog... you'll just have to scroll down to the May posts.
http://www.caminosantiago2.blogspot.co. ... issac.html

 

[KiwiNomad06]

I just read your blog post Annie. You were in Moissac four days before I arrived there!
Margaret