"A mad train trip" Le Puy-en-Velay by ATLC

Le Puy-en-Velay Travel Guide: 58 reviews and 247 photos

Bless French lack of punctuality!

Three girls on a mad weekend to Puy-en-Velay which is a 12 hour trip from Rotterdam. Packed with a heavy suitcase each (whatever for?) we were invited to a party weekend in Puy.
The train ride to Paris went without much ado. But then we had to change stations. From Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon we had a choice. Drag our stuff on to the metro, which usually involves quite a bit of walking, or stand in a long line for a taxi. Technically we had enough time.
There were plenty of taxis but the line was long. Once settled in the taxi we proceeded to get stuck in traffic. And arrived at Gare de Lyon 5 minutes late.
We ran to the platform and found about 4 long TGV's waiting. We ran halfway one platform but discovered it was the wrong one. A train warden directed us to the right one, but we had to run madly back and to the next train. Halfway, because we had reserved seats and had to find the right entrance.
Once we found it, we literally threw our suitcases inside, tumbled all 3 of us on top in a heap and chokingly asked if we were in the right train.
It took us about an hour to catch our breath!
Bless French lack of punctuality, the train left 20 minutes late!
I've packed as lightly as I can, since.

From Lyon to Puy-en-Velay

Puy en Velay

The train trip to Lyon was uneventful. It only takes about 2 hours. But the layover in Lyon was quite long before we could take an old, rambling train for a final 3 hour lap to Puy.
The train warden was someone from a film. It reminded me of that BBC comedy about a train station (VT-ers, help me out here please!), he walked about as if he owned it. The scenery was spectacular, much of it up windy tracks, climbing hills and along mountain streams.

A flying visit

Puy en Velay

Finally we arrived in Puy and were taken to our hostess' home. Saturday was filled with a tour of Puy, the charter and gala dinner in the evening. Sunday it took all day to get back again. Unfortunately I had flu and a bad cold so I slept most of the way and was very happy to be home.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Very off the beaten path
Cons:uh, very off the beaten path :-)
In a nutshell:Did I mention: off the beaten path?

Last visit to Le Puy-en-Velay: Oct 1998
Intro Updated Sep 12, 2007
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Reviews (4)

Market Things to Do (2)

French markets are a treat. This one here is on Saturday and I bought fresh herbs, honey and could hardly resist lots of... more travel advice

View on the city Things to Do (2)

We only had a morning to explore. So we went to a church and walked about town. more travel advice

Puy Lentils Local Customs (2)

Puy-en-Velay is famous for its green lentils. I still have the tin with the lentils (never ate them!). I did use to... more travel advice

Santiago de Compostela Local Customs (2)

Le Puy is a major stop in the route to Santiago de Compostela since the 12th century. more travel advice

Comments (5)

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angiebabe Nov 15, 2007 at 2:20 AM

Hi i want to know and see more about that church? on its volcanic platform? looks ....like somewhere i should go visit!
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deecat Apr 9, 2007 at 2:18 PM

Really enjoyed reading your well written introduction. Also enjoyed the information about the green lentils.
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matcrazy1 Jan 11, 2007 at 6:20 PM

I didn't know that Puy-en-Velay is famous for its green lentils but I do know that it's very off the beaten path. Once I drove through at night and diddn't stop :-(
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Callavetta Mar 7, 2005 at 9:53 PM

What an interesting place.
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Toyin Jan 12, 2005 at 2:37 PM

Special page, it seems you saw a lot within the time space. Regards.