Day 1: Le Puy to Montbonnet 17K

Today we woke early to attend the 7am Mass and it was very nice with a special blessing for pilgrims at the end. It was all in French so we didn't understand much.

We started our walk around 9:30 on a sunny warm day and met several pilgrims along the way most were walking about 7k more than us, but we have 6 in our gite tonight. Two German ladies, two French men and us, except for all the other are traveling alone. 

Our walk took us past beautiful countryside and some old churches and through a few small villages (you've probably read that from us before). We passed several "barn blocs" which are very large stone buildings that serve as home and barn for animals and hay...we are staying in one tonight renovated as a gite. It's called "L'escola". Dinner was wonderful, both the food and company. Marie, our hostess, prepared a local potato dish smothered in cheese with dried meats and a large fresh salad with wonderful fresh fruit for dessert. We're hoping for good sleep tonight as our plan for tomorrow is supposed to take us on a very challenging route.  It's approximately 28 kilometers.  

Gite: d'etape prove l'Escole. We loved it, very clean and great dinner and Marie was so sweet. Good place to wash and hang clothes and no bunk beds. Simple breakfast of bread and jam, and coffee, tea and orange juice, and fresh fruit.

After notes..things I forgot to remembers:

I got a new Opinel pocketknife within an hour of arriving in Le Puy. 

I would have loved to buy some lace for gifts..made in Le Puy, but I just couldn't carry it for 5 weeks.

Very good, but different was the lentil jam served with bread for breakfast.

Our Day in LePuy en Velay

K

Today we took an intentional rest day before we begin our trek across France.  We are staying at L'epicurium Chambre d'hotes.  Basically, it's a type of bed and breakfast.  Sort of rustic yet well restored in a quiet side street in the historic district.  We awoke to a traditional French breakfast of bread and jam and a bowl of coffee.  We enjoyed a very chill morning exploring the town but spent the bulk of our time at two of the most interesting places built atop volcanic eruptions.  The first was the Notre Dame de France, a giant statue of Mary and Jesus.  It's very much like the Statue of Liberty as we were able to climb to the top and look out of the crown of stars and see the incredible views.  Next we explored St. Michel d'Aiguile. (Pictured below) It was built in 961 thanks to Gothescalk, bishop of le Puy en Velay after returning from his pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. 

                        

    

It was such a treat to see these sights on a sunny warm day. We enjoyed lunch down the stairs from the cathedral Nortre-Dame....yes there is more than one cathedral by that name. We ate some delicious local cuisine.  After lunch we took in the Catherdal which was built during the 11th and 12th centuries. We continued our walking around town looking at shops and admiring the lace work that has a long history here. We stopped for a coffee  and  then back to our room for a nap as we are trying to catch up on our rest. In the evening we attended a pilgrims gathering sponsored by a local group. Dinner was difficult to find as the dinner hour here is after 8pm and we wanted to eat and get to bed as Mass is at 7am tomorrow and we plan to attend. 

Le Puy is a larger town and it was possible to find some who speak a little English, but as we walk to smaller villages, we will be having to communicate with mostly French and hand gestures.  Although we are not prepared as well to communicate as we were in Spain, we have found the people to be extremely friendly and hospitable.  It has been comforting.  It helped make today an extremely relaxed and enjoyable day.