Loved this article about Le Puy Betty - it’s a place my mum and I did visit in the 90s, but we didn’t make it to the Notre Dame de France or indeed the cathedral - my mum didn’t share my love of visiting churches and museums. It’s lovely to learn more about both places from what you have written and your photos.
How interesting you have been to Le Puy, as it’s a bit out of the way. I had never even driven past it even though it’s less than 3 hours away. The from these parts is pretty wild. Do you remember the occasion for going?
Yes Betty, we were travelling down from Calais to Paraza, a tiny village by the Canal du Midi, in my tiny Fiat Cinquecento, my mother, my youngest sister, hubbie and myself. We stopped and stayed in Le Puy overnight, to break up the journey. I think it was 1996 or 1997. Before that new bridge was built.
Well, if it’s just to spend the night in between 2 long day of driving, I can understand that maybe not everyone felt like visiting the sites. I’ve never heard of Paraza but do see it’s quite small.
Is the new bridge you’re talking about Le Viaduc de Millau? That’s in our area. Before it was built, driving through Millau in the summer constituted France’s biggest traffic jam.
Yes it is the Viaduc de Millau. It was a spectacular trip down. Especially travelling through the Ardeche. Fantastic wines in Minervois and of course Cremant de Limoux from near Carcassonne. I think it was 1996, because myself and my husband came back to the same house in Paraza the following summer in 1997 and we departed early on the morning Princess Diana died in the car crash in Paris. So we listened to the radio coverage in the car on the long drive back up to Calais.
It is quite an amazing place — the Michelin Guide gives it “mérite le détour” but somehow we had never made that detour. The road from our area up there is pretty wild, at least the ones my GPS took me on!
Trout is also a specialty of the area and I thought it might work, which it could have if it had been homemade. It was just some sort of industrially-made reheat with a goopy white sauce and well...yuk.
Le Puy was I think my favorite town yet, but it's pretty out of the way for most!
This is such a great post. The history/architecture info and photos are wonderful. Inspiration for my next trip! I’m glad, because I almost stopped at the trout lasagna comment - I can’t get my head around that.
Thank you so much! I'm glad you continued even after reading about lentil and trout lasagne, lol! The town is so well known for its lentils I felt like I needed to write something about them before proceeding.
Hi Betty, finally I have those much ached for (literally) eight weeks of summer holidays stretching out before me… and time to catch up..! Albeit slowly due a still un-repaired WiFi - grrrr!
I am so often in awe of quite how these magnificent and ancient buildings, churches, abbeys , cathedrals and bridges, whatever… were achieved - they are astonishing works of unbelievable art, the work undertaken unimaginable… the cathedral in Le Puy is jaw dropping..! How did they do that..??
I am one of those foolish people who loves a challenge, so I would definitely have climbed those steps! Probably only to stand trembling and dizzy once done but…
My list of places to visit and things to do gets longer and longer… not to mention the Camino which my daughter and I plan to walk one day… retirement is going to be busy, if I make it that far.!
Have a great weekend - we have a cooler two days forecast (hopefully they’ll arrive??) and much needed rain - I have everything crossed! X
Hi Susie, and I’m so glad you’re on vacation! I hope you get some much needed rest over the first weeks.
I definitely climbed up the steps! I just didn’t do the last ladder at the very top. The end result was just sticking one’s head into a not-so-clean dome that makes up the top of the statue’s head. If the pay-off had been more fabulous-looking, I probably would have taken a deep breath and done it.
The architectural prowess involved in this cathedral is truly awe-inspiring.
The mid point for my two pilgrimages last Sept. From Geneva to Le Puy and then from there to Saint Jean Pied De Port. A fabulous place and I happened to arrive for the Medieval Festival which made it even more enchanting.
Oh how wonderful! You did quite a stretch there. You also, then, certainly hiked through Aveyron where I live. Aubrac, Espalion, Estaing, Conques? I’d be interested where you stopped here.
It’s so good to see this lovely town again and learn more too. We arrived late one evening and only had an hour to spare for a quick look around but we will return, maybe this year …
There is truly a lot to see and discover, and even more if you open yourself up to the surrounding area. It's quite an off-beat place, actually. I'll be doing two more articles about it -- if you decide to head up before I'm finished, give me a shout out!
Thank you for your comment! One hears so much about volcanic peaks in Le Puy-de-Dôme, but la Haute Loire doesn't get much press. The way it forms a bridge between the Cantal and l'Ardèche is quite fascinating to me for some reason, as those two departments couldn't be more different.
Absolutely — it's fascinating to see how neighbouring départements can feel so different! Just like how the Vosges mountains seem to split two worlds between Lorraine and Alsace.
You're welcome Rachel! The Haute Loire department is quite isolated, with its under-20,000 préfecture (Le Puy) and fairly difficult road access, which may contribute to its other-worldliness. There is a lot of high altitude terrain there. Definitely worth discovering!
Lovely photos Betty. Had not heard of this city. Lentils can be a bit hit and miss, generally tasteless. They have to be dressed up! Was it very hot there?
Hi Lucy, I didn't answer about the heat in Le Puy. I went toward the beginning of our heat wave and it was less hot overall than now. Also Le Puy is between 625 and 725 meters altitude, and the mornings and evening were quite cool. So it was perfect!
Ooh! This looks like a lovely place. Adding it to an unending list…
It's fascinating. I live less than three hours away, but had never been even that near it. One of my favorite destinations yet, for sure.
With Betty in France, it's like chasing stars: too many amazing places to visit, but we can dream to explore them all.
Oh, that’s so lovely, Portia! Thank you!
A lot of people have mentioned that their lists are getting longer and longer…I hope it doesn’t get discouraging!
Loved this article about Le Puy Betty - it’s a place my mum and I did visit in the 90s, but we didn’t make it to the Notre Dame de France or indeed the cathedral - my mum didn’t share my love of visiting churches and museums. It’s lovely to learn more about both places from what you have written and your photos.
How interesting you have been to Le Puy, as it’s a bit out of the way. I had never even driven past it even though it’s less than 3 hours away. The from these parts is pretty wild. Do you remember the occasion for going?
Yes Betty, we were travelling down from Calais to Paraza, a tiny village by the Canal du Midi, in my tiny Fiat Cinquecento, my mother, my youngest sister, hubbie and myself. We stopped and stayed in Le Puy overnight, to break up the journey. I think it was 1996 or 1997. Before that new bridge was built.
Well, if it’s just to spend the night in between 2 long day of driving, I can understand that maybe not everyone felt like visiting the sites. I’ve never heard of Paraza but do see it’s quite small.
Is the new bridge you’re talking about Le Viaduc de Millau? That’s in our area. Before it was built, driving through Millau in the summer constituted France’s biggest traffic jam.
That sounds like quite the trip!
Yes it is the Viaduc de Millau. It was a spectacular trip down. Especially travelling through the Ardeche. Fantastic wines in Minervois and of course Cremant de Limoux from near Carcassonne. I think it was 1996, because myself and my husband came back to the same house in Paraza the following summer in 1997 and we departed early on the morning Princess Diana died in the car crash in Paris. So we listened to the radio coverage in the car on the long drive back up to Calais.
Truly amazing. Thanks !
It is quite an amazing place — the Michelin Guide gives it “mérite le détour” but somehow we had never made that detour. The road from our area up there is pretty wild, at least the ones my GPS took me on!
Gorgeous photos! I like lentils well enough but once or twice a week max. They are, however, very good for you :)
Thank you, Sacha. I actually like lentils too, but it was funny to see them all over restaurant menus and sometimes added as a little side regardless.
You had me at lentils. As a vegetarian, I have learned to love legumes!
Not sure what I like better…the statue of the Queen of Lentils or the big waving baby Jesus.
Well as you know I like them too, but I don't necessarily get excited about them as a restaurant side dish.
There were actually 5 or 6 little lentil queens on that roundabout!
As for the statue, the baby is supposed to be blessing the city. I read that it is a rare depiction baby Jesus facing outwards and doing something.
Haha, you are a brave woman for opting for the lentil & trout lasagna! Raises all kinds of questions!
Looks like another interesting town to add to the never ending places to visit list.
Trout is also a specialty of the area and I thought it might work, which it could have if it had been homemade. It was just some sort of industrially-made reheat with a goopy white sauce and well...yuk.
Le Puy was I think my favorite town yet, but it's pretty out of the way for most!
This is such a great post. The history/architecture info and photos are wonderful. Inspiration for my next trip! I’m glad, because I almost stopped at the trout lasagna comment - I can’t get my head around that.
Thank you so much! I'm glad you continued even after reading about lentil and trout lasagne, lol! The town is so well known for its lentils I felt like I needed to write something about them before proceeding.
That first photo is stunning!
It’s an amazing view that is easy to miss if you only stay in the old town center.
Hi Betty, finally I have those much ached for (literally) eight weeks of summer holidays stretching out before me… and time to catch up..! Albeit slowly due a still un-repaired WiFi - grrrr!
I am so often in awe of quite how these magnificent and ancient buildings, churches, abbeys , cathedrals and bridges, whatever… were achieved - they are astonishing works of unbelievable art, the work undertaken unimaginable… the cathedral in Le Puy is jaw dropping..! How did they do that..??
I am one of those foolish people who loves a challenge, so I would definitely have climbed those steps! Probably only to stand trembling and dizzy once done but…
My list of places to visit and things to do gets longer and longer… not to mention the Camino which my daughter and I plan to walk one day… retirement is going to be busy, if I make it that far.!
Have a great weekend - we have a cooler two days forecast (hopefully they’ll arrive??) and much needed rain - I have everything crossed! X
Hi Susie, and I’m so glad you’re on vacation! I hope you get some much needed rest over the first weeks.
I definitely climbed up the steps! I just didn’t do the last ladder at the very top. The end result was just sticking one’s head into a not-so-clean dome that makes up the top of the statue’s head. If the pay-off had been more fabulous-looking, I probably would have taken a deep breath and done it.
The architectural prowess involved in this cathedral is truly awe-inspiring.
The mid point for my two pilgrimages last Sept. From Geneva to Le Puy and then from there to Saint Jean Pied De Port. A fabulous place and I happened to arrive for the Medieval Festival which made it even more enchanting.
Oh how wonderful! You did quite a stretch there. You also, then, certainly hiked through Aveyron where I live. Aubrac, Espalion, Estaing, Conques? I’d be interested where you stopped here.
I think I visited Puy with two friends in the 1990s. I'd forgotten until I read this - now I will have to look over my old photos!
Oh nice, I’d love nothing more than 90s photos of you in Le Puy! Tell me if you find them.
Ha ha ha - I reserve the right not to publish. But I’ll have a look! 🤣
There are always DMs…
Deal!
It’s so good to see this lovely town again and learn more too. We arrived late one evening and only had an hour to spare for a quick look around but we will return, maybe this year …
There is truly a lot to see and discover, and even more if you open yourself up to the surrounding area. It's quite an off-beat place, actually. I'll be doing two more articles about it -- if you decide to head up before I'm finished, give me a shout out!
What a lovely read — thank you, Betty! This town and its volcanic peaks have always fascinated me. I really hope to visit one day.
Thank you for your comment! One hears so much about volcanic peaks in Le Puy-de-Dôme, but la Haute Loire doesn't get much press. The way it forms a bridge between the Cantal and l'Ardèche is quite fascinating to me for some reason, as those two departments couldn't be more different.
Absolutely — it's fascinating to see how neighbouring départements can feel so different! Just like how the Vosges mountains seem to split two worlds between Lorraine and Alsace.
Another part of France I have yet to explore thank you for taking us on adventure around France 🙌
You're welcome Rachel! The Haute Loire department is quite isolated, with its under-20,000 préfecture (Le Puy) and fairly difficult road access, which may contribute to its other-worldliness. There is a lot of high altitude terrain there. Definitely worth discovering!
Love Le Puy! I climbed that ladder and really wished I hadn’t 🤣
Ha! It didn’t look that exciting up there, actually.
No it really didn’t 🤣
Lovely photos Betty. Had not heard of this city. Lentils can be a bit hit and miss, generally tasteless. They have to be dressed up! Was it very hot there?
Hi Lucy, I didn't answer about the heat in Le Puy. I went toward the beginning of our heat wave and it was less hot overall than now. Also Le Puy is between 625 and 725 meters altitude, and the mornings and evening were quite cool. So it was perfect!
Head for the mountains in heat waves ☀️😄
I like lentils fine; my remark was a bit tongue in cheek as the town is so known for them and I didn't want to develop the point any further, lol!