One week and I start in Le Puy en Valey

[clarkandkaren]

Hello everyone! Well.. one week from today will begin my walk across France and Spain. I see a number of posts regarding a wave of walkers and room accommodation limitations. I am one who is approaching this with ZERO pre-made reservations except for my flight from Lisbon to Lyon next Monday night.
Is there anything of any note-worthiness from anyone who has recently started from Le Puy? I am taking a sleeping bag in the event I cannot find a room but I’m seeing night time temps are..still.. quite low!!!! Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Kitsambler]

You will be arriving Lyon on Tuesday May 7. May 8 is a national holiday in France (V-E Day). Try to book a room -- any room -- in Le Puy for 7th or 8th. If you can't, stay over in Lyon (a wonderful place with lots of accommodations, great food, and things to see), which will help your jet lag adjustment anyhow. Then go on to Le Puy on 9th. The French walkers favor the long weekends created by their major holidays on May 1, May 8, and Whitsuntide (May 19 in 2024), so you may have great difficulty finding a bed. It's not to late to make reservations for the first 7-10 days (as far as Conques, anyhow). This is high season on the Le Puy! And for demi-pension (the most common form of lodging on the Le Puy route), you definitely need to call at least one day in advance, so they know how many meals to prepare. Bon Chemin!

 

[Murk]

The posts you see about waves of walkers are all about Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, which is weeks of walking away from Le Puy. So you won't need to worry about those posts specifically.

However.
It is far more common on the Le Puy route to prebook than it is on the caminos in Spain.
Since the GR65 is also frequently used by non-pilgrims it has less (or maybe no?) pilgrim infrastructure. You'll mostly be staying in the same accomodations that non-pilgrim walkers use -- and they generally book in advance.

In addition, coming Wednesday (May 1st) and the next Wednesday (May 8th) are public holidays in France, and a lot of French people use that opportunity for a week or weekend of walking. I imagine even Le Puy will be busier this weekend than normal.

Maybe it would be good for your own peace of mind to at least book your first night at Le Puy?

 

[Tandem Graham]

If you can, I would book a bed/room at the old Seminary, just a block from Le Puy Cathedral, in light of the bank holiday.
There is (or was in 2019) a soiree each afternoon, in the local pilgrim association room - again very near the cathedral - for pilgrims to meet each other and take advice from the members of the local association, all over a glass of wine. They will advise you how busy it is and whether you need to book accommodation a day or more ahead.
The early morning pilgrim mass in the cathedral is also highly recommended.
Most accommodation is half pension, so hosts do appreciate you calling ahead (even if it's just on the same day), so they may prepare enough food.
It's a lovely trail. Do enjoy!

 

[mazzarina]

I'd definitely recommend booking a few days ahead. The GR65 will be busy at this time of year, at least from Le Puys to Conques. I'm travelling to Le Puy next Wednesday and have booked ahead. If you're on Facebook, I strongly recommend the group 'GR65 Via Podiensis : walking the Le Puy route in France' which has a wealth of up-to-date information. There's also a link to a Google doc with accommodation, compiled by Dave Whitson (who wrote the Cicerone guide).

 

[WIGWAM]

Hello everyone! Well.. one week from today will begin my walk across France and Spain. I see a number of posts regarding a wave of walkers and room accommodation limitations. I am one who is approaching this with ZERO pre-made reservations except for my flight from Lisbon to Lyon next Monday night.
Is there anything of any note-worthiness from anyone who has recently started from Le Puy? I am taking a sleeping bag in the event I cannot find a room but I’m seeing night time temps are..still.. quite low!!!! Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Hi, sorry nothing to offer other than hope to see you along the route.
I will be starting from Le puy next Friday. I have walked several routes and have never booked more than one day ahead. safe journey. Regards

 

[clarkandkaren]

If you can, I would book a bed/room at the old Seminary, just a block from Le Puy Cathedral, in light of the bank holiday.
There is (or was in 2019) a soiree each afternoon, in the local pilgrim association room - again very near the cathedral - for pilgrims to meet each other and take advice from the members of the local association, all over a glass of wine. They will advise you how busy it is and whether you need to book accommodation a day or more ahead.
The early morning pilgrim mass in the cathedral is also highly recommended.
Most accommodation is half pension, so hosts do appreciate you calling ahead (even if it's just on the same day), so they may prepare enough food.
It's a lovely trail. Do enjoy!

Thank you! I am not looking for anything above a place to lay my head at night…The cathedral sounds perfect. I will try to find it tonight or .. something close to it!

 

[Tandem Graham]

Just a further note: France is 30 or 40% more expensive for accommodation and food than Portugal or Spain. However, some pilgrims get around this by camping - there are quite a few campsites on or within a couple of kms from the GR65/Voie du Puy. Of course that means carrying camping gear .....

 

[clarkandkaren]

Just a further note: France is 30 or 40% more expensive for accommodation and food than Portugal or Spain. However, some pilgrims get around this by camping - there are quite a few campsites on or within a couple of kms from the GR65/Voie du Puy. Of course that means carrying camping gear .....

Thanks! Other than a sleeping bag I’ve tried to avoid a tent and the other…weighty items. I’ll see what develops as I go. Thanks!!

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

@clarkandkaren , I'm still researching this ( for next year), so if you would be kind enough to post of your experience - perhaps even just a short summary at the end of your trip - it would be much appreciated.

Bon chemin!

 

[Mananath]

Hello everyone! Well.. one week from today will begin my walk across France and Spain. I see a number of posts regarding a wave of walkers and room accommodation limitations. I am one who is approaching this with ZERO pre-made reservations except for my flight from Lisbon to Lyon next Monday night.
Is there anything of any note-worthiness from anyone who has recently started from Le Puy? I am taking a sleeping bag in the event I cannot find a room but I’m seeing night time temps are..still.. quite low!!!! Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Hope you post more as you start walking! I will be starting this Camino at the end of May.