Le Puy-en-Velay Shopping

Many shops sell the local lentils, all at similar prices. Le-Puy is not real touristy, which is a welcome change, so one of the best things to take away is a pound/kilo of the "LENTILLE VERTE du PUY".

At the base of the Cathedral, where the restaurants and shops are, you will find several who sell them.

What to buy: Pauline has a serious interest in textile crafts, so it was certain that she would want a sample of Le Puy lace. From what I can gather, the lace industry “dentelle” now operates only for the tourist market, but samples are readily purchased. The attached photo is actually a scan of the sample which she purchased.

From quite a different shop, I purchased a bottle of the local liqueur called Verveine du Velay. It is made from a blend of 32 local herbs (naturally, to a secret recipe). Much as I’d like to show a photo, it was necessary to test it from time to time to see how well it kept – and now it’s gone! It is a light greenish straw colour, with a slightly sweet herbal flavour.

What to pay: How much to pay? That depends on the amount and quality – in both cases!