EL LECHERO
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- Time of past OR future Camino
- CF 2016 PRIMITIVO 2022 LE PUY 2023
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Actually, the highest point of the route is between Nasbinals and Aubrac, at Col d'Aubrac, 1343 m.My only thought would be snow, sleet and rain at time of the year. You are walking at elevations of 2500 m late winter.
I had planned on doing the Portuguese but after viewing Efren Gonzales youtube videos of both.... I can tell why he was much more excited about Le Puy. I finished the Primitivo April 7th. Loved it. Any comparisions?On the Aubrac it gets close to 1400m elevation, it's a high plateau. Think of the scottish highlands, maybe. In april snow is not unlikely there. In may it can happen also but it's not as common as in april.
May is a very popular month for the french people to walk shorter sections, especially Le Puy-Conques, so it will probably be busy. Beautiful though during that time of year, with all the spring flowers, and the temperature not too hot. You'll probably have rain and mud as well as warm and sunny days.
I walked it solo in april-may 2017 and really liked it. Had no snow, but a lot of mud.
Now, walking it in summer at the moment, it is just as beautiful - less crowded, but the heat is extreme.
Happy planning. Good choice of Camino
We walked the Primitivo in May and le Puy last fall. Similar as to difficulty, however the route des hospitales was tougher going than anything we experienced in France. Quite different vibes, the Primitivo was very international whereas Le Puy was very French. Both were great.I had planned on doing the Portuguese but after viewing Efren Gonzales youtube videos of both.... I can tell why he was much more excited about Le Puy. I finished the Primitivo April 7th. Loved it. Any comparisions?
Hi. Maybe a suggestion for May although it's only 5 days would be the San Salvador. Mr Gonzales also has his videos of that. I'm doing 8 to 10 days next month so my walk a section of the route before Leon coming from Madrid. You are starting up at approx 700 metres and reaching levels of 1500 metres. Personally I'm a bit anxious as apparently it's fairly tough but also rewarding with amazing scenery. On of my Camino companions has done it and highly recommendeds . DanielI had planned on doing the Portuguese but after viewing Efren Gonzales youtube videos of both.... I can tell why he was much more excited about Le Puy. I finished the Primitivo April 7th. Loved it. Any comparisions?
I never walked the Primitivo but have walked other routes. They are all different but Le Puy is very different. Different country, different language. I spoke no French and didn't have a smartphone to translate. I had to make reservations every day as the Gite owner needs to know how many to feed. I had to carry provisions whenever I could. Just had a little Michelin Guide that was not much good. The volunteer in the Paris Pilgrim office tried to get me to buy the Miam Doo Doo guide. I was stubborn, and said I didn't understand French. Big mistake as I found out 2 days before St.Jean how easy it was to follow. No big cities and very few decent size towns. You never knew (at least when I walked in 2015) when a shop or cafe would be open in a village. I went more than a few days without food from breakfast to dinner. It is beautiful. Didn't meet even 5 people who could speak any English. People walk with the people they came witn. I am not a camino "family" guy but if you expect that I think you can forget it. The scenery is diverse. The markings were different and I got lost a few times as it is so peaceful and there is so much solitude I was missing the GR stripes. The food was amazing almost every night. Many nights I said a meal of this quality which cost me about 30E for dinner, bed and breakfast would have cost 5 times as much in a big city if you included the wonderful French wine. Most nights there was enough for 2nds or even 3rds of each portion. Try asking for seconds eating a pilgrim menu. Cheese course, fruit course, soup course, salad course, main course, (even had a suckling pig, rabbit etc) and forget about the desserts and the incomparable French bread. Breakfast was delicious coffee, homemade jams, bread, bacon or ham, eggs, milk, yogurt. If there were leftovers from the night before often the owners would pack you a lunch with a nominal cost. Most everything came from the gardens of the Gite it seemed like on most days.Quite different vibes, the Primitivo was very international whereas Le Puy was very French. Both were great.
I was lucky to walk the Le Puy with two Camino girlfriends, so we were not lonely and in June we got caught in a couple of bubbles of groups of French walkers, but it thinned out after Conques and again after Figeac.I never walked the Primitivo but have walked other routes. They are all different but Le Puy is very different. Different country, different language. I spoke no French and didn't have a smartphone to translate. I had to make reservations every day as the Gite owner needs to know how many to feed. I had to carry provisions whenever I could. Just had a little Michelin Guide that was not much good. The volunteer in the Paris Pilgrim office tried to get me to buy the Miam Doo Doo guide. I was stubborn, and said I didn't understand French. Big mistake as I found out 2 days before St.Jean how easy it was to follow. No big cities and very few decent size towns. You never knew (at least when I walked in 2015) when a shop or cafe would be open in a village. I went more than a few days without food from breakfast to dinner. It is beautiful. Didn't meet even 5 people who could speak any English. People walk with the people they came witn. I am not a camino "family" guy but if you expect that I think you can forget it. The scenery is diverse. The markings were different and I got lost a few times as it is so peaceful and there is so much solitude I was missing the GR stripes. The food was amazing almost every night. Many nights I said a meal of this quality which cost me about 30E for dinner, bed and breakfast would have cost 5 times as much in a big city if you included the wonderful French wine. Most nights there was enough for 2nds or even 3rds of each portion. Try asking for seconds eating a pilgrim menu. Cheese course, fruit course, soup course, salad course, main course, (even had a suckling pig, rabbit etc) and forget about the desserts and the incomparable French bread. Breakfast was delicious coffee, homemade jams, bread, bacon or ham, eggs, milk, yogurt. If there were leftovers from the night before often the owners would pack you a lunch with a nominal cost. Most everything came from the gardens of the Gite it seemed like on most days.
Hard, often lonely even at night as everyone spoke in French. Everyone nice but I couldn't join in so I just ate until I dropped!
I agree with your feelings entirely except once I figured out how to drink my coffee in those cereal bowls and not spill it all over me it was fine. I really agree about dinner and being quiet but there was never a night that people didn't try to include me or make me feel left out.I was lucky to walk the Le Puy with two Camino girlfriends, so we were not lonely and in June we got caught in a couple of bubbles of groups of French walkers, but it thinned out after Conques and again after Figeac.
We did not speak French so at dinners we were quiet, but not awkward being our own littlegroup of three. Yes, we always booked ahead a day or two with the help of a nice gite owner, or tourism center where they always spoke English.
Loved reading your thoughts on the food and I concur...all yummy!Ooops, I did not like the coffee in the big cereal bowls.
I have walked the Le Puy Route x 3 because I love it so much for reasons others have mentioned. I have also loved the Gebennensis from Geneva to Le Puy and did it twice. It is Primitivo like in scenery and difficulty and has good network of gite communal accommodation and private donativo hosts. Real emmersion into French life. It is not busy and May would be good.I'm interested in doing a different Camino having walked the Primitivo this year and CF in 2016. Le Puy seems very interesting and hopefully I can walk from Le Puy to Conques. I was hoping to walk in April or May. Any suggestions on when to go, and what the weather would be like? I will be walking solo. Merci!
I just did it in very late April and May. It was stunning. Climbing roses are everywhere as well as wild flowers.I'm interested in doing a different Camino having walked the Primitivo this year and CF in 2016. Le Puy seems very interesting and hopefully I can walk from Le Puy to Conques. I was hoping to walk in April or May. Any suggestions on when to go, and what the weather would be like? I will be walking solo. Merci!
the Le Puy route [aka GR65 Via Podiensis, Voie du Puy-en-Velay] is a beautiful walking path with a number of variantes. May and September are the busiest months on this route and this year bookings were very tight in May ... but that’s this year ... next year you might reasonably expect things will be a little less frenetic ...I'm interested in doing a different Camino having walked the Primitivo this year and CF in 2016. Le Puy seems very interesting and hopefully I can walk from Le Puy to Conques. I was hoping to walk in April or May. Any suggestions on when to go, and what the weather would be like? I will be walking solo. Merci!
agree wholeheartedly ... the little Michelin guide, aside from its inaccuracies, is almost useless ... the Miam-Miam-Dodo, now in electronic version, is excellent ... and there are now lots of other resources as well ... ask Prof. Google OR the good, long-serving professors right here on this forumI never walked the Primitivo but have walked other routes. They are all different but Le Puy is very different. Different country, different language. I spoke no French and didn't have a smartphone to translate. I had to make reservations every day as the Gite owner needs to know how many to feed. I had to carry provisions whenever I could. Just had a little Michelin Guide that was not much good. The volunteer in the Paris Pilgrim office tried to get me to buy the Miam Doo Doo guide. I was stubborn, and said I didn't understand French. Big mistake as I found out 2 days before St.Jean how easy it was to follow. No big cities and very few decent size towns. You never knew (at least when I walked in 2015) when a shop or cafe would be open in a village. I went more than a few days without food from breakfast to dinner. It is beautiful. Didn't meet even 5 people who could speak any English. People walk with the people they came witn. I am not a camino "family" guy but if you expect that I think you can forget it. The scenery is diverse. The markings were different and I got lost a few times as it is so peaceful and there is so much solitude I was missing the GR stripes. The food was amazing almost every night. Many nights I said a meal of this quality which cost me about 30E for dinner, bed and breakfast would have cost 5 times as much in a big city if you included the wonderful French wine. Most nights there was enough for 2nds or even 3rds of each portion. Try asking for seconds eating a pilgrim menu. Cheese course, fruit course, soup course, salad course, main course, (even had a suckling pig, rabbit etc) and forget about the desserts and the incomparable French bread. Breakfast was delicious coffee, homemade jams, bread, bacon or ham, eggs, milk, yogurt. If there were leftovers from the night before often the owners would pack you a lunch with a nominal cost. Most everything came from the gardens of the Gite it seemed like on most days.
Hard, often lonely even at night as everyone spoke in French. Everyone nice but I couldn't join in so I just ate until I dropped!
Le Puy route is so beautiful and Conques is a jewel that many of the French do not know about. I started my Camino Frances in Le Puy many years ago and this route is still my favourite. So much quieter with beautiful scenery and the mst beautiful cows ever, the Aubrac cows. I have walked most of it in May and no problems at all. People lovely and as long as you make an effort with a little French such as hello, goodbye, thanks etc people are very helpful. Great food and such pretty medieval towns. Enjoy.I'm interested in doing a different Camino having walked the Primitivo this year and CF in 2016. Le Puy seems very interesting and hopefully I can walk from Le Puy to Conques. I was hoping to walk in April or May. Any suggestions on when to go, and what the weather would be like? I will be walking solo. Merci!
Funny you should mention the online version of Miam Dodo. Dear friends I met on the Camino from Australia are planning their next camino. We have been talking for a while to decide if we can walk together. (They are the perfect couple for me to walk with as we meet most nights for dinner if we are in the same albergue, they sometimes get pensions, walk together for some of the day but not to much etc. Last night David called me and he said that they have decided they will probably walk Le Puy and then walk the French side to Somport and then we will meet there and travel on the Aragones. We will then decide where to go next. They may go home or we may continue on the Frances or even go to Lisbon and walk the Portugues. We talked at length about my Le Puy Camino and I definitely stressed that the biggest mistake I made was before I started in Le Puy was I didn't buy the Miam Dodo book at the Paris Pilgrim office as the lady there begged me to do. David speaks decent French and his wife some also. I told him with some planning and their language ability they could an even richer experience than I did. Of course I waxed on about the beauty and food. I also mentioned in no uncertain terms, like you, that although the Michelin guide helped a little it was woefully inadequate.agree wholeheartedly ... the little Michelin guide, aside from its inaccuracies, is almost useless ... the Miam-Miam-Dodo, now in electronic version, is excellent ... and there are now lots of other resources as well ... ask Prof. Google OR the good, long-serving professors right here on this forum
Merci!We walked the Primitivo in May and le Puy last fall. Similar as to difficulty, however the route des hospitales was tougher going than anything we experienced in France. Quite different vibes, the Primitivo was very international whereas Le Puy was very French. Both were great.
Thank you for your honest input! sounds right up my ally. The one thing going for me is that I speak French pretty well...Better than Spanish. My main concern was when to go without it being over crowded. I would like to go beginning in April or very first part of May.I never walked the Primitivo but have walked other routes. They are all different but Le Puy is very different. Different country, different language. I spoke no French and didn't have a smartphone to translate. I had to make reservations every day as the Gite owner needs to know how many to feed. I had to carry provisions whenever I could. Just had a little Michelin Guide that was not much good. The volunteer in the Paris Pilgrim office tried to get me to buy the Miam Doo Doo guide. I was stubborn, and said I didn't understand French. Big mistake as I found out 2 days before St.Jean how easy it was to follow. No big cities and very few decent size towns. You never knew (at least when I walked in 2015) when a shop or cafe would be open in a village. I went more than a few days without food from breakfast to dinner. It is beautiful. Didn't meet even 5 people who could speak any English. People walk with the people they came witn. I am not a camino "family" guy but if you expect that I think you can forget it. The scenery is diverse. The markings were different and I got lost a few times as it is so peaceful and there is so much solitude I was missing the GR stripes. The food was amazing almost every night. Many nights I said a meal of this quality which cost me about 30E for dinner, bed and breakfast would have cost 5 times as much in a big city if you included the wonderful French wine. Most nights there was enough for 2nds or even 3rds of each portion. Try asking for seconds eating a pilgrim menu. Cheese course, fruit course, soup course, salad course, main course, (even had a suckling pig, rabbit etc) and forget about the desserts and the incomparable French bread. Breakfast was delicious coffee, homemade jams, bread, bacon or ham, eggs, milk, yogurt. If there were leftovers from the night before often the owners would pack you a lunch with a nominal cost. Most everything came from the gardens of the Gite it seemed like on most days.
Hard, often lonely even at night as everyone spoke in French. Everyone nice but I couldn't join in so I just ate until I dropped!
I walked it starting in mid September. It is mostly retired friends walking together and virtually everyone was French with a few Germans. I have no idea what it is like now or in April. I checked the pilgrim website statistics from Le Puy. Of course it is just people going all the way to Santiago. 604 people received compostelas in June '22. In all of 2019 3,180 received Compostela for the whole year. It is also difficult to gauge as many people in France are really not on pilgrimage . They are starting in different locations and walking with friends for a week or two. If anyone has better information please be free to correct me. It is 7 years since I walked so things may have changed dramatically.Thank you for your honest input! sounds right up my ally. The one thing going for me is that I speak French pretty well...Better than Spanish. My main concern was when to go without it being over crowded. I would like to go beginning in April or very first part of May.
Thanks for that. Times have changed. I walked the Le Puy Route x 3 and never had these issues....apart from heatwave in June.I just walked the Via Podiensis from Le Puy to Moissac in May of 2022. I recommend that time. Some observations:
1. Book ahead - long distance walking has exploded since Covid restrictions have eased. We had to stop at Moissac because it was too difficult to find accommodation without walking 30 - 35 kms for some stretches. We are planning on returning next May to finish the last 330 kms.
2. Weather - We had 1 day of rain in 21 days of walking. We also experienced temperatures of 30 - 35 C for several days. We walked in shorts all except for 1 or 2 days.
3. The cheese is deeelicious!
4. Some gites do not offer meals (demi pension). As a result restaurants are also busy and reservations are recommended.
hahaha, I didn't either!I was lucky to walk the Le Puy with two Camino girlfriends, so we were not lonely and in June we got caught in a couple of bubbles of groups of French walkers, but it thinned out after Conques and again after Figeac.
We did not speak French so at dinners we were quiet, but not awkward being our own littlegroup of three. Yes, we always booked ahead a day or two with the help of a nice gite owner, or tourism center where they always spoke English.
Loved reading your thoughts on the food and I concur...all yummy!Ooops, I did not like the coffee in the big cereal bowls.
Hi, I walked the same route in 2017 but in September, after the heatwave season had passed. Even so on the Aubrac plateau there were days of incessant rain but elsewhere the walking was very agreeable. The Le Puy route is also the GR65, it's very well signed. I used the app MAPS. me, which has now evolved into Organic Maps, that I now use for all my walking. I could provide you with more detailed info if you reply with your email address. I planned everything in advance, even though I was living in France. I suggest you do the same. Its very simple to do and ensures you have a bed and meal for each of your stops. Let me know if you would like me to send you my info.I'm interested in doing a different Camino having walked the Primitivo this year and CF in 2016. Le Puy seems very interesting and hopefully I can walk from Le Puy to Conques. I was hoping to walk in April or May. Any suggestions on when to go, and what the weather would be like? I will be walking solo. Merci!
Might see you there. Planning to leave Le Puy on April 27I'm interested in doing a different Camino having walked the Primitivo this year and CF in 2016. Le Puy seems very interesting and hopefully I can walk from Le Puy to Conques. I was hoping to walk in April or May. Any suggestions on when to go, and what the weather would be like? I will be walking solo. Merci!
Last time I was on the Le Puy, there were 2 Aussies, 2 Kiwis, 2 Americans, 3 Germans, 2 Swiss, a couple of English people, it was very international. We all meat up in SJPP and had dinner together. The French were outnumbered.Walking in France never seems to have an international mix of people and the French will generally not be very sociable to outsiders. This has been my experience in the Alps, Pyrenees, Jura particularly.
For this reason, I wouldn't take the Le Puy path. It's also much more expensive too plus you have more threat of Madman Macron bringing in passes and other freedom restricting measures.
I am planning to walk end of April & May from Le Puy to SJPP. I live close to the Canadian Rockies and there is snow in the moly Taos through summer at higher elevation. I pray I will experience decent weather in France. but I’ll be prepared. My flight is booked… I may run into you?!!! Bon cheminI'm interested in doing a different Camino having walked the Primitivo this year and CF in 2016. Le Puy seems very interesting and hopefully I can walk from Le Puy to Conques. I was hoping to walk in April or May. Any suggestions on when to go, and what the weather would be like? I will be walking solo. Merci!
Voie Regordaine or Arles Route???Hello pilgrims
I am planning to step out from Le Puy en Velay very early April 2023. Like...the first...
Oh, too cold? Snow? Are gites all open?
What will the weather be like then do you suppose?
I am open to alternatives.
I land in Paris and have two months to walk...
I must admit I prefer warmer weather
Merci
I have done the whole Le Puy Route x 3 since 2009 and Primitivo this year.I had planned on doing the Portuguese but after viewing Efren Gonzales youtube videos of both.... I can tell why he was much more excited about Le Puy. I finished the Primitivo April 7th. Loved it. Any comparisions?
Yes, I'm coming to terms with booking ahead as I didn't do that while on the Primitivo last April. I will be hiking solo beginning in April on the GR65. I'm hoping for few crowds that could dilute Camino relationships......I have done the whole Le Puy Route x 3 since 2009 and Primitivo this year.
I loved both very much.
On the Primitivo there were lots of solo pilgrims or couples or small groups and a great sense of pilgrim community.
The Le Puy by contrast has lots of French retired groups of walkers and a smaller no of long distance pilgrim walkers.
Speaking some French really helps. The Primitivo had a more international community.
I love both routes for their scenery.
Accommodations on both routes is great.
The food in France is very local, fresh and varied, lots more vegetables snd fresh salads and fantastic cheeses.
A lot of the gites offer demipension with fab dinners and simple bfast, dorms or twin rooms at reasonsble prices.
There are municipals too, but they are often full up with walking groups. Le Puy to Conques is busy and def advise booking well ahead.
I can't imagine, that it will be very crowded in early April...will be interested to hear.Yes, I'm coming to terms with booking ahead as I didn't do that while on the Primitivo last April. I will be hiking solo beginning in April on the GR65. I'm hoping for few crowds that could dilute Camino relationships......
Many gîtes open at Easter, but there will be others open year round. You can check on gronze.com for those details.Are gites all open?
I wish, I knew...it has become a lot more popular recently..You are probably not like me...and if you are a bit flexible a few days ahead is probably OK.Thanks for the info gittiharre. When you advise booking well ahead Le Puy to Conques, does that mean one week? or ten? I'm looking at a departure from Le Puy on May 13 next year.
What do you mean by "Voie Regordaine" ?Voie Regordaine or Arles Route???
I do not think that a digital version of Miam Miam Dodo exists yet.I would advise to buy the digital version but than you must be sure to walk within a year or at least download the information. After a year it "Expires"
Voie Regordaine that @gittiharre mentioned is a path that runs south from Le Puy en Velay and joins the Camino Arles at Saint Gillies du Gard.What do you mean by "Voie Regordaine" ?
Thanks you very much. I didn't find it because it is known as "Chemin de Regordane":Voie Regordaine that @gittiharre mentioned is a path that runs south from Le Puy en Velay and joins the Camino Arles at Saint Gillies du Gard.
It runs partly parallel and has a couple of stages that overlap with the Stvenson which is a marvelous walk in itself. It is possible to walk the 2 more or less in a circle start snd finish in Le Puy.Thanks you very much. I didn't find it because it is known as "Chemin de Regordane":
Probably it is at least partly common with the "Chemin de Stevenson" ?
It certainly existed as an app in 2020 when I bought it. When I walked it in August/ september last year it was not available , but the publisher said that it would be soon. They said also that there would be an ebookversionI do not think that a digital version of Miam Miam Dodo exists yet.
If you want to have a light version, take pictures of the relevant pages.
I wouldn’t put the French down, in this way. Sorry your experience was not great, but I found le Chemin, challenging and rewarding… and I received a great deal of warmth and assistance along the way, from hospilitaros and others. I highly recommend this CaminoWalking in France never seems to have an international mix of people and the French will generally not be very sociable to outsiders. This has been my experience in the Alps, Pyrenees, Jura particularly.
For this reason, I wouldn't take the Le Puy path. It's also much more expensive too plus you have more threat of Madman Macron bringing in passes and other freedom restricting measures.
I agree Richmond, and that was my experience walking the Le Puy Way in 2014 - when I was often the only person in a group who spoke English as a first language - and I had v little French. But the more effort I made the more I was able to 'communicate' in Frenglish which was tough for me but I'm guessing it was even worse for the French people trying to make sense of what I said! I take the view that the onus is on me in a foreign country.I wouldn’t put the French down, in this way. Sorry your experience was not great, but I found le Chemin, challenging and rewarding… and I received a great deal of warmth and assistance along the way, from hospilitaros and others. I highly recommend this Camino
I have done it 3 times, because I love it so much.I wouldn’t put the French down, in this way. Sorry your experience was not great, but I found le Chemin, challenging and rewarding… and I received a great deal of warmth and assistance along the way, from hospilitaros and others. I highly recommend this Camino
I've only walked it once, but I too, loved it, and adding in the Cele Valley variant was "icing on the cake" for me!I have done it 3 times, because I love it so much.
The Cele is magnificent, agreed.I've only walked it once, but I too, loved it, and adding in the Cele Valley variant was "icing on the cake" for me!
As a French man, I would say that even for the next generations after this one, English was badly taught in school. Therefore, even not-so-old people in France cannot speak english.in France with people of a certain generation for whom English was not taught in school
Hi, I am Usha from Malaysia and plan to walk the Camijo Le Puy from March to May 2023. I would very much appreciate any information you could give me about the route from Le Puys to St Jean Pied d Port, especially about accommodation along the route.Hi, I walked the same route in 2017 but in September, after the heatwave season had passed. Even so on the Aubrac plateau there were days of incessant rain but elsewhere the walking was very agreeable. The Le Puy route is also the GR65, it's very well signed. I used the app MAPS. me, which has now evolved into Organic Maps, that I now use for all my walking. I could provide you with more detailed info if you reply with your email address. I planned everything in advance, even though I was living in France. I suggest you do the same. Its very simple to do and ensures you have a bed and meal for each of your stops. Let me know if you would like me to send you my info.
Buen Camino
Le Puy | Grande seminaire du Le puy ph: 0471099318 |
Monbonnet | Gite la grange ph: 0471575444 |
If you do this, still call a day or two before hand. I have learned this the hard way after getting lost in the Las Apujarras. We turned up after dark and our room had been given away just a few hours earlier. I last walked the Le Puy route in 2022 and booked my first two nights and the holiday weekends and bridge days leading up to them, well in advance. I arrived a day early at one place, so stayed two lovely nights, and had to cancel another as I just wasn’t going to make it. In retrospect I don’t think the bookings were needed, but it did give me peace of mind and I enjoy the planning and anticipation.Having walked the route x 3, I recommend booking ahead as far as Conques. May is busy with French walking groups and since Covid, the route has gained further in popularity.
I heard several first hand accounts from people in May and September, who had to taxi off the trail for somewhere to sleep.If you do this, still call a day or two before hand. I have learned this the hard way after getting lost in the Las Apujarras. We turned up after dark and our room had been given away just a few hours earlier. I last walked the Le Puy route in 2022 and booked my first two nights and the holiday weekends and bridge days leading up to them, well in advance. I arrived a day early at one place, so stayed two lovely nights, and had to cancel another as I just wasn’t going to make it. In retrospect I don’t think the bookings were needed, but it did give me peace of mind and I enjoy the planning and anticipation.
Bill, thanks for these comments. I am looking into this route for May 2023 and am curious if I can find accommodations for walks of 10-15km distances each day (sllllowww camino). If this is a question for which I could easily find the answers somewheres else, please direct me. I am just starting the research on which camino. TIA!I just walked the Via Podiensis from Le Puy to Moissac in May of 2022. I recommend that time. Some observations:
1. Book ahead - long distance walking has exploded since Covid restrictions have eased. We had to stop at Moissac because it was too difficult to find accommodation without walking 30 - 35 kms for some stretches. We are planning on returning next May to finish the last 330 kms.
2. Weather - We had 1 day of rain in 21 days of walking. We also experienced temperatures of 30 - 35 C for several days. We walked in shorts all except for 1 or 2 days.
3. The cheese is deeelicious!
4. Some gites do not offer meals (demi pension). As a result restaurants are also busy and reservations are recommended.
The short answer is ... yes! Short distances / sections very do-able ... I am plotting my own for 2023 ... due to bad / problematic knees, stages of 15km ...Bill, thanks for these comments. I am looking into this route for May 2023 and am curious if I can find accommodations for walks of 10-15km distances each day (sllllowww camino). If this is a question for which I could easily find the answers somewheres else, please direct me. I am just starting the research on which camino. TIA!
I am glad I found you! I asked because I have had/problematic knees! So, I am very happy I found you! I am just starting to research. Planning on starting at Le Puy May 15ish.The short answer is ... yes! Short distances / sections very do-able ... I am plotting my own for 2023 ... due to bad / problematic knees, stages of 15km ...
Je vous en prie Ellie ... just let me know when you are ready and I will list for you the relevant short / very short stages that I have planned ... and can recommend. You can then do the rest of the research [accommodation options, services, stage profiles, et al] to assess suitability for you and your knees ... but, rest assured, it is do-able especially in the front half ... a little trickier on the back-half and on the Voie de Rocamadour variante ... bonne continuation et bon courageI am glad I found you! I asked because I have had/problematic knees! So, I am very happy I found you! I am just starting to research. Planning on starting at Le Puy May 15ish.
Bonjour encore, Bronwen, I'm hoping to see you when you pass through 'our town'I am plotting my own for 2023 ... due to bad / problematic knees, stages of 15km ...
[re]Bonjour Pelerina ... you can be absolutely sure of that ... thank you so muchBonjour encore, Bronwen, I'm hoping to see you when you pass through 'our town'
And you too @Elliecm. From 1 April, we will be living in Lectoure - one of the many beautiful towns on the Camino Le Puy - and would be a pleasure to see you - and also to offer any assistance when you are in the area.
As @BlackRocker57 says 'bonne continuation et bon courage'
A clear failSo, I asked ChatGPT for a route for every 15KM and every 10KM. Curious to see how correct it is. (I also did every 5 and 10KM as I figured those might be handy to have! LMK if you are interested.)
- Le Puy-en-Velay
- Saint-Alban-sur-Limagnole
- Nasbinals
- Saint-Chely-d'Apcher
- Estaing
- L'Hospitalet-du-Larzac
- Espalion
- Conques
- Figeac
- Moissac
- Auvillar
- Condom
- Eauze
- Saint-Palais
- Orthez
- Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
- Roncesvalles
- Pamplona
- Puente la Reina
- Estella
- Logroño
- Navarrete
- Santo Domingo de la Calzada
- Belorado
- San Juan de Ortega
- Burgos
- Hontanas
- Frómista
- Carrión de los Condes
- León
- Astorga
- Rabanal del Camino
- Ponferrada
- Villafranca del Bierzo
- O Cebreiro
- Triacastela
- Sarria
- Portomarín
- Palas de Rei
- Arzúa
- Santiago de Compostela
That list is totally inaccurate.So, I asked ChatGPT for a route for every 15KM and every 10KM. Curious to see how correct it is. (I also did every 5 and 10KM as I figured those might be handy to have! LMK if you are interested.)
- Le Puy-en-Velay
- Saint-Alban-sur-Limagnole
- Nasbinals
- Saint-Chely-d'Apcher
- Estaing
- L'Hospitalet-du-Larzac
- Espalion
- Conques
- Figeac
- Moissac
- Auvillar
- Condom
- Eauze
- Saint-Palais
- Orthez
- Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
- Roncesvalles
- Pamplona
- Puente la Reina
- Estella
- Logroño
- Navarrete
- Santo Domingo de la Calzada
- Belorado
- San Juan de Ortega
- Burgos
- Hontanas
- Frómista
- Carrión de los Condes
- León
- Astorga
- Rabanal del Camino
- Ponferrada
- Villafranca del Bierzo
- O Cebreiro
- Triacastela
- Sarria
- Portomarín
- Palas de Rei
- Arzúa
- Santiago de Compostela
Thank youHaving walked the route x 3, I recommend booking ahead as far as Conques. May is busy with French walking groups and since Covid, the route has gained further in popularity.
As I mentioned, I generated it from ChatGPT and was interested in finding out if it was correct or not. Apologies as it seems to have caused offense. I am a PhD in artificial intelligence and am curious about these things.That list is totally inaccurate.
Just go on chemindecompostelle.com or Gronze site and work it out yourself. It is simple
My husband I, he was 81 took 46 days from Le Puy to Roncesvalles incl 3 rest days. Our daily km ranged from 12 to 26 km. There is somewhere to sleep approx every 16 km.
FASCINATING! They are definitely finding a lot of errors in ChatGPT! An 63+KM fail is pretty spectacular! Thanks for responding.A clear faillots of mistakes here, esp. on the Le Puy route ... e.g. Le Puy to Saint-Alban is 78.0+km ... pretty well impossible; Saint-Alban to Nasbinals = 42.0km; Saint-Chely-d'Apcher is not on the route; Estaing is after Espalion not before ... etcetera, etcetera ... too many errors for me to list but then that’s AI for you
ChatGPT is generative AI. It reports of errors, I was curious.Hi @elliecm
Re the above numbers, sorry … I am not familiar with ChatGPT.
Is it meant to indicate that it will take 41 days from Le Puy en Velay to SAntiago de Compostela, with stages of 15kms ? If so, that is not accurate.
Le Puy to SDeC is more than 1500 kms - so at 15 kms per day, at least 100 days.The list says 16 days from Le Puy to SJPP. It took me 28 days, an average of 27kms per day.
PS. Sorry if I’ve misunderstood the list.
Hello and thanks for your question,Bill, thanks for these comments. I am looking into this route for May 2023 and am curious if I can find accommodations for walks of 10-15km distances each day (sllllowww camino). If this is a question for which I could easily find the answers somewheres else, please direct me. I am just starting the research on which camino. TIA!
Interesting! Never even heard of ChatGPTAs I mentioned, I generated it from ChatGPT and was interested in finding out if it was correct or not. Apologies as it seems to have caused offense. I am a PhD in artificial intelligence and am curious about these things.
Hi EllieChatGPT is generative AI. It reports of errors, I was curious.
And there are several that I can see that are even more spectacular!FASCINATING! They are definitely finding a lot of errors in ChatGPT! An 63+KM fail is pretty spectacular! Thanks for responding.
I think this is rather unfair. When I walked the Le Puy, there were many nationalities on the chemin. As to the sociability of French people, I found them very agreeable and shared the route with several both singly and small groups. Of course you'll always find some taciturn people in every race but for me, making the effort to speak (very poor) French paid dividends, there was a great deal of sharing and caring from people. As to the costs, I also thought the charges were reasonable and many gites des tape offered donations for pilgrims who were hard-up.Walking in France never seems to have an international mix of people and the French will generally not be very sociable to outsiders. This has been my experience in the Alps, Pyrenees, Jura particularly.
For this reason, I wouldn't take the Le Puy path. It's also much more expensive too plus you have more threat of Madman Macron bringing in passes and other freedom restricting measures.
Totally agree!I think this is rather unfair. When I walked the Le Puy, there were many nationalities on the chemin. As to the sociability of French people, I found them very agreeable and shared the route with several both singly and small groups. Of course you'll always find some taciturn people in every race but for me, making the effort to speak (very poor) French paid dividends, there was a great deal of sharing and caring from people. As to the costs, I also thought the charges were reasonable and many gites des tape offered donations for pilgrims who were hard-up.
I would do it again if I could and it's only I'll health that has prevented me.
So, courage mon ami, take a risk and plunge yourself into the mileu of the Le Puy, and enjoy the experience!
Bon camino!
Download the Podiensis app. It’s purple. It has the distances mapped out the entire way with accommodation in the very vlllage. I don’t like walking more than 18 and the app has been a great help, especially for bookingsBill, thanks for these comments. I am looking into this route for May 2023 and am curious if I can find accommodations for walks of 10-15km distances each day (sllllowww camino). If this is a question for which I could easily find the answers somewheres else, please direct me. I am just starting the research on which camino. TIA!
That was my experience as well.Totally agree!
Hello, what guide did you use for Geneva to Le Puy? How was your experience re accomodation? Thanks!I have walked the Le Puy Route x 3 because I love it so much for reasons others have mentioned. I have also loved the Gebennensis from Geneva to Le Puy and did it twice. It is Primitivo like in scenery and difficulty and has good network of gite communal accommodation and private donativo hosts. Real emmersion into French life. It is not busy and May would be good.
I did the Primitivo this year and loved it also.
The Portuguese options are much less rural and remote and have lots of Asphalt.
The yellow book from Association de St Jacques de Compostelle/ Rhone d'Alpes, it listed all accommodations incl private Accueil Jacquaire places.Hello, what guide did you use for Geneva to Le Puy? How was your experience re accomodation? Thanks!
The Wise Pilgrim guide I think.Download the Podiensis app. It’s purple. It has the distances mapped out the entire way with accommodation in the very vlllage. I don’t like walking more than 18 and the app has been a great help, especially for bookings
Does that include the Gebennensis from Geneva to Le Puy???The Wise Pilgrim guide I think.
Yup, it's called Via Podiensis : Wise PilgrimDownload the Podiensis app. It’s purple. It has the distances mapped out the entire way with accommodation in the very vlllage. I don’t like walking more than 18 and the app has been a great help, especially for bookings
Sorry, but the Via Podiensis is from Le Puy to SJPP. The Via Gebenensis goes from Geneva to Le Puy.Yup, it's called Via Podiensis : Wise Pilgrim
Thank you. But to be clear I was responding to the thread about the Le Puy to SJPP route, not the Geneva to Le PuySorry, but the Via Podiensis is from Le Puy to SJPP. The Via Gebenensis goes from Geneva to Le Puy.
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