I am hoping to start my chemin in Le Puy April 2024 to avoid the "crowds." I am trying to look up historical monthly data on the weather for April. I know it'll be cold. I am more concerned about snowfall due to the high elevation. Please direct me to websites (weather or travels) with this information. I would also appreciate hearing about your own experiences and thoughts about when is a good time to walk this camino. Thanks in advance. Bon chemin!
Hi, I walked in 2018. I arrived in Le Puy on Easter Sunday and commenced walking on Easter Tuesday, which I think was April 3rd.
The weather was generally bright; I experienced only two days of significant rain during a month of walking. I did find some patches of lying snow and experienced one morning of wind driven hailstones on my approach to Aumont Aubrac.
The temperatures varied from 0 degrees C on a few early mornings to 26 on a couple of afternoons later in the month.
I stayed mainly in privately run Gite d'Etapes, and mostly on half pension. The dinners were typically very good, with an informal contest between proprietors: "I'm glad you enjoyed the dinner; was it better than (insert name of previous night's lodgings)?"
I usually booked my bed by phone, around noon on the same day. Only once was there any problem with that, in Figeac, where some hikers heading for Rocamadour often commence. I had to spend a little more that night to get a single hotel room.
You are of course wise to seek more than one year's weather data. In 2018 walkers in late May and June had continuous rain, but I don't think that is the case every year.
Two other tips:
A bit of spoken French is handy. The Gite owners usually have some English, but the majority of walkers are Francophone, so conversation over dinner is likely to be in French.
Do join the early pilgrim mass at Le Puy cathedral on your departure day; apart from the religious component, it is also a good opportunity to meet your fellow pilgrims. And do stay in Conques Abbey, and join in the singing!
Bon Chemin!