Le Puy en Velay to Moissac: October 1 to 21, 2011

[John Hooper]

Chers Pelerins:

I would value corresponding with people who have made this portion of the hike, particularly in the fall. I am planning to walk with 2 friends. We are all in our 60s and we walked from Leon to Santiago de Compostela in October 2004 . We speak enough french to get around.

Wondering how important it is to make room reservations well ahead of time? We would prefer to call a day or two ahead if practical so as to retain maximum flexibility.

Wondering too about any general comments about weather, conditions along the GR 65 etc

Finally, I would love to have someone who has done this walk take a look at our proposed stopping points each night and give us feedback on whether we are boing realistic (or crazy!)

We are using Miam Miam Dodo as our basic guide book.

Very best wishes and a bientot, j'espere!

John Hooper
San Francisco, CA USA

 

[robertt]

Hi John

I walked from Le Puy to Pamplona in the spring, starting ahead of most pilgrims. I found the Miam Miam Dodo guide invaluable, since one can usually book ahead in France. The Le Puy route is busy - though not so busy as the Frances - and, as well as forming a stage of the Camino, it is also the GR65. Weekends and holidays can bring out the French non-pilgrims or short-stage pilgrims in considerable numbers and large groups. So, yes, I would ring ahead, at least till I got a feel for the season.

I'd love to cross the Aubrac in milder conditions, since it was wonderful even in early spring and harsh weather.

What can I say? It's a wonderful hike. I'm slow-to-downright-sluggish, so my stages were not ambitious and my rest days frequent. I observed, however, that those who preferred a faster pace - namely, everybody - were also well suited to the Chemin du Puy. Facilities and accommodation abound, and the people of "France Profonde" are great.

Just enjoy, you lucky San Franciscan!

Rob

 

[lynnejohn]

May I refer you to kiwinomad? She has a very detailed description of this route.

http://chemincamino08.blogspot.com/


Buen camino!

lynne

 

[gittiharre]

Hi John, I walked this route in 2009 September and my blog is here: It was absolutely fabulous. Also there are 3 or 4 posts of mine with accommodation recommendations on this forum. Have a fantastic time, it is an absolutely beautiful route, happy to comment on your walking plan if you want me to, cheers, Gitti

 

[gittiharre]

Another thing, do book ahead a couple of days, Miam Miam Dodo is fab, it is usually available for browsing in tourist offices and most gites, I ended up posting mine home, as I did not really need to carry it around, got lots of opportunities to refer to it and plan ahead, I just took a little tiny Rother Guide in german which had elevations and maps and accommodation lists, not as comprehensive as the Miam, but the maps and elevations were good, it was fantastic weather in September, a couple of days of rain, one severe, the rest dry and warm, just needed a light fleece and a light merino, but Octo ber should be quite a bit colder. Cheers Gitti

 

[PeconicBill]

I walked Le Puy to Santiago this April-June and loved the French portion. As a 70-year-old, my French from high school and college eas pretty rusty, especially trying to reserve at gites over the phone. But in every town of even medium size here is a tourist office which will make gite reservations for you. Unlike the Camino Frnces in Spain, I would NOT count on getting a bed just by showing up at a gite----always reserve ahead, especially assuming you'll also want dinner on the demi-pension plan.

You can purchase the current year Miam Miam Dodo at the shop in the Le Puy cathedral where you also can get your credencial. I found that although MMD was essential to plan beds and meals, I also needed the Alison Raju Cicerone guide to tell me what I eas seeing and to keep track of here I was.

Enjoy your walk!

 

[newfydog]

We did a September trip and did not book ahead once. I hear it has gotten busier the last few years.

If you can read French at all, the guides of the Federation Francaise de la Randonnee Pedestre are far better than the Cicerone book for local color and history. They also have actual topo maps.


http://www.amazon.fr/Sentier-vers-Saint ... 724&sr=8-8

After buying a few books from Amazon.fr, you'll start getting spam for good deals on "Le Viagra" c'est la vie!

 

[sharon w]

Hi PeconnicBill,
We plan to walk Le Puy To Santiago next year, starting in late April. How long did it take you and what was the weather like this year?
Sharon

 

[Thornley]

John , we flew from Oz to Lyon and then the train to Le Puy.
Because of this jet lag we had a very easy start walking only 15-18 km the first 3 days.
We have walked many Caminos [ Frances, Oporto and Norte] but this is our favourite way.
Please do not do too many km 's early , its just not worth it.....as it could bite you very early.
Why bloody hurry at the start ???????????????????????????????????????????. Enjoy.

Wonderful stopovers in Conques [ tourists] Figeac, Cahors, Moissac, Aire Sur d' Or
It was our most enjoyable in relation to solitude , scenery and friendliness.
You will encounter many french having a walk for a week or two and then going home .
There are enough places to stay, just have a phone and text ahead.
The answer to your accommodation is in the french only Miam Miam Do Do ,[ MMDD] a wonderful guide.
Accommodation is always close if your choice is booked.
Have a great camino and relax/enjoy Biarritz when finished.
David

 

[nellpilgrim]

Hi John,
It would be great if you could update us on your journey retrospectively or en route (if you're a techie :lol I'm walking from Nurenberg to Santiago in stages (still trudging through Germany) but hope to have reached in Le Puy in Spring or Autumn of 2013 God willing. Kiwinomad, Bob, Gitti, Newfydog et al are great sources of information and inspiration but new feedback on the route is always appreciated.
Have a great journey.
Nell

 

[Diggeratpctcd]

Chers Pelerins:

I would value corresponding with people who have made this portion of the hike, particularly in the fall. I am planning to walk with 2 friends. We are all in our 60s and we walked from Leon to Santiago de Compostela in October 2004 . We speak enough french to get around.

Wondering how important it is to make room reservations well ahead of time? We would prefer to call a day or two ahead if practical so as to retain maximum flexibility.

Wondering too about any general comments about weather, conditions along the GR 65 etc

Finally, I would love to have someone who has done this walk take a look at our proposed stopping points each night and give us feedback on whether we are boing realistic (or crazy!)

We are using Miam Miam Dodo as our basic guide book.

Very best wishes and a bientot, j'espere!

John Hooper
San Francisco, CA USA

 

[biodiva]

I walked in June/July from Le Puy to Moissac, and returned home last week. It is wonderful!
At the beginning I booked ahead and than I walked without reservation. Only once I had to walk a little bit further.
At the end, when it becomes very hot, I did short etappes and I stayed in little gites where I rang up one day in advance. I used the MMDD and this is the book you should use!
Mostly I asked the Gite owners to do this phone call for me for the next day and this worked very well (and I had no costs for the phone call).
You will find Gites and B&Bs every 5 - 10 km and the Gites are very good today (clean and well equipped). In small villages without a supermarket I choosed the demi-pension, in bigger towns I went to a restaurant or prepared together with other pilgrims a nice meal by ourselves. Every day was different but never had a problem to get what I needed. It was perfect!