"Le Puy-en-Velay … or just Le Puy to... " a Le Puy-en-Velay Travel Page by tiabunna

This page was upgraded with better quality photo scans 27 Feb 2007

During our drive around France we were very keen to visit a B&B whch featured working husky teams, high in the Massif Centrale. Fortuitously, that led us to Le Puy. It’s only a small town by European standards (about 20,000), but worth the visit. The town gains its name from the Puys, the name given in the local Occitan language to a series of ancient volcanic plugs. There are quite a few in the area, including that on which the town is centred. Quite apart from any geological interest, most are surmounted by religious buildings – not least an enormous Pink Madonna. Look carefully in the heading photo and you should see her centred in the distance, above the town. Another place where I wish we’d had a digital camera!

The history of Le Puy dates back to Roman times. It’s more modern form is well over 1000 years, with strong religious connections throughout that period – back in those days it was one of the main starting points for a 1600km pilgrimage. It also was visited many times over the aeons by French royalty, as far back as Charlemagne. Their visits are hardly surprising as, quite apart from any religious connections, the area is quite spectacular in its own right. It also seems hardly to be visited by tourists – as shown by the paucity of Virtual Tourist pages!

Le Puy once had a flourishing lace-making industry. Little lacemaking is left, though we did purchase a sample for Pauline. Agriculture now is the main industry in the area, with Le Puy being famous (in France, anyway) for its lentils.