Le Puy-en-Velay Travel Guide

 balhannah Says:  I walked right to the top, and into the statue of St. Joseph.The Statue was approved by Pope Pius X in August of 1908, and was made by Parisian sculptor Debert, and dedicated on April 11, 1910. It's 48 feet high, St. Joseph’s head is just under 8 ft., while his right arm is... 

 balhannah Says:  Driving around Le Puy en Velay, we were amazed at how many huge religious statue's we saw sitting on volcanic plug's. We weren't sure how to reach St. Joseph, no worries though, all we had to do was keep the Statue in sight!We found a park, and then I did the same, weaving... 

 balhannah Says:  If you are like me, and enjoy walking the old town's, then when here, head to the Tourist Information centre.They have maps of the Town that will take you past all the important sight's.There is a "standard tour" of 2 hours"The grand tour" of 3 hours"night tour" of 2... 

 balhannah Says:  This unusual looking Tower certainly grabbed our attention! In the 14th century, this Tower was the former entrance to the "Royal" Town. It was partly demolished in 1850, to make the road wider. You can still see what its actual size was, as it is marked in the pavement. 

 balhannah Says:  After we had viewed the Chapel of St. Clair, we then went for a walk around the outside. This area looks quite Old! There is a small square where there is the old town hall, the monumental stone cross of the 15th century, and a pseudo-Gothic Fountain from the 19th century.... 

 balhannah Says:  The Chapel of Saint -Clair we came across as we entered the old part of Le-Puy. The Chapel was a small, octagonal building from the 12th century. It is thought the Chapel, which is often known as "The Temple of Diana," may have been the former Chapel of the "Hospital of the... 

 balhannah Says:  One of the most visited site's in the Cathedral, is the statue of the Black Virgin. This not the original from 1000 AD, thought to be carved by an Arab craftsman.In 1794, the wooden image was publicly burned on the Place du Martouret. As the statue burned away, a secret door... 

 balhannah Says:  This lovely Cathedral that was built in the 11th & 12th centuries, is built in the shape of a Latin Cross. The Cathedral is perched on a volcanic rock named either " Mount Anis or Corneille Rock " and overlook's the city of Le Puy-en-Velay.THE LEGEND OF THIS CATHEDRAL... 

 balhannah Says:  Rocher Corneille - Statue of Our Lady of France is painted Pink, and can be seen from anywhere in the City. It is located near the historic city centre.Quite a story to how it was built back in 1860!During the Crimean War, 213 gun's from the captured Russian's, were offered... 

 balhannah Says:  How I wished I hadn't worn myself out!I wanted to climb the 268 step's, but was too weary after climbing many hundred other step's to religious monument's earlier in the day, so I guess this is a warning. They say the steps are wide and in good order, and that there are... 

 tiabunna Says:  As you puff up the hill, eventually you will find yourself at the Cathédrale Notre Dame, at the top of rue des Tables. It is mainly of Romanesque form with Byzantine additions, making it a considerable contrast in style to the better known Gothic cathedrals. As it is built... 

 ViajesdelMundo Says:  Another worthwhile climb in Le-Puy! In one of the photos, part way up, in the distance see the Statue of Notre-Dame de France. Beautiful views of course from here, too.Much to see inside, and there are more photos in the Travelogue below. 

 ViajesdelMundo Says:  This Cathedral is a national monument of France, and has been a centre of pilgrimage in its own right since before the time of Charlemagne, as well as forming part of the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. Since 1998 it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as part... 

 ViajesdelMundo Says:  If you need more excersize, you are allowed to actually climb up into the Statue, which has several viewpoints along the way, thru small windows.The statue is 16 meters high and weighs 110 tons. The statue is made up of 105 bolted on pieces, which are visible from inside... 

 ViajesdelMundo Says:  The bronze statue of Notre-Dame de France stands on top of the Corneille Rock, and is made from 213 Russian cannons taken in the Siege of Sevastopol (1854–1855). It was presented to the town on the 12th of September 1860.The initial approach is via the Cathedral. It is a... 

 kokoryko Says:  Lentilles du PuyLentils are quite a common vegetable, which you can find almost everywhere on the planet, with thousands of recipes to prepare these little seeds for the enjoyment of our palate. . . . I had recently wonderful dals in India; I like lentils in almost every way... 

 ViajesdelMundo Says:  Very nicely decorated and with outside patio seating. Small and ethnic north African as well as French dishes. Lentils are one of the area's main staples and they had several variations with dif dishes. Very helpful with our limited French. Fresh, fresh, fresh obviously; and...