Driving from lower Burgundy area west of Cluny to Avignon area mid May 2014. Have done A 6 several times and would like different route with change of scenery. Considering stopping near Le-Puy-en-Velay for the night. Looks like a walkable town with many shops and sights. Any information on hotels or restaurants in area. Notice B&B in Polignac, "Hotel La Gourmantine" which looks interesting and is short distance from Le-Puy-en-Valay. Thinking of staying there and driving into town for evening. Has anyone stayed there and if so would the the driving and parking in to town on a Friday night be difficult?
Any suggestions or alternative routes would be appreciated.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
126 posts
Hello Bill,
We stayed in Puy en Velay August of this year. We only stayed the night and wished it had been for two nights – the town has much to offer as it's the starting point for one of the Caminos to Santiago de Compostela. There are churches and cathedrals perched on rocky outcrops within the town. Parking and driving around the town wasn't a problem, it's reasonably busy. We stayed at a B&B on the outskirts of town, maybe 1.5Kms out. We had booked an evening meal at the B&B but due to a communication mix up we missed out on the meal – my French is non existent and there was confusion when re confirming. We ended up eating at a small hotel about another 200 to 300 metres further out of town, an easy walk and a nice meal. The B&B is superb, I would say it's a purpose built for accommodating tourists, the hosts were exceptional and the breakfast was great. Have a look at the reviews on Trip Advisor and you'll see what I mean. This the link to the B&B - http://www.lesjardinsdechampfleury.fr/ If you decide to stay there, the access to the B&B is up a small lane off the main road between a couple of commercial buildings – do a street view on Google and you'll see what I mean. We missed it first time. You could stay there and walk back into town but.......
Posted by
Portland, Maine
2916 posts
I'd suggest staying in Le Puy itself. We spent one night there a few years ago and really enjoyed it. Found a very good restaurant, and enjoyed walking around the town. Our hotel was an excellent little hotel, with no restaurant. So far I can't remember the name, but if you're interested, I can dig around and try to find it.
Posted by
OP
Rockport, Maine, USA
98 posts
Robert. Thanks for the info and I would be interested in the name of the hotel that you stayed in.
If you can find it out I would appreciate it.
Posted by
Portlandia
3313 posts
We liked the Hotel Bristol, a member of the Logis de France. It has a parking lot in the back. Its restaurant is good, too.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10176 posts
We stayed three nights at the Lodgis de France hotel too and agree that the restaurant is good. Le Puy-en Velay is a very special place, dramatic, breathtaking, worth the detour. Edit: we stayed at the Logis Hotel Val Vert, not the Bristol. You can pretty much count on the Logis group of indepently owned hotels.
Posted by
Portland, Maine
2916 posts
Bill, I believe it was the Hotel St. Jacques: http://www.hotel-saint-jacques.com/index.html. The restaurant we ate at was Le Romulus.
Posted by
Warsaw
2 posts
I heartily agree that Le Puy would be a wonderful, interesting addition to your trip. I would plan on two nights and stay right in Le Puy. I have been there twice and I would happily return again. In fact, I finally registered here so I can add my voice to the others who are seconding this destination idea.
My lodging was too basic to recommend to you (but directly across from the train station). I didn't have to worry about a car since I was beginning the Chemin, but you would probably want to leave your car parked and walk around the steep, narrow, cobblestoned streets. My favorite restaurant is just to the right as you stand at the bottom of the steep, cathedral steps. It translates as Friends of the Poets. I believe that the friends that I encouraged to go to Le Puy stayed at the Saint Jacques. I know it is a good location.