Le Puy-en-Velay
Le Puy en Velay, in the heart of the Massif central, is in an impressive setting surrounded by high hills and the famous conical volcano forms of the region.
This does make Le Puy a bit difficult to reach, but it is a journey worth the trouble. The town is a major attraction with visitors, despite its relative isolation and receives more than 700,000 visitors each year.
Le Puy is above all famous for being the start point of one of the main pilgrimage paths in France that lead to Santiago de Compostella, and the religious monuments that are a result of this important historical role. The 'key' places to visit in Le-Puy-en-Velay are:
The Chapel Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe
A remarkable site perched high on a rocky pinnacle, the chapel was built in the 10th century. Hike up the (many) steps to the Church of St Michel, and be glad that you are not carrying the material for its construction with you. Its construction was a remarkable feat completed in the 10th century by the Bishop of Le-Put to celebrate his return from his pilgrimage.
The chapel also contains the treasury, and some impressive frescoes.
The cloister attached to the cathedral
The cathedral is the starting point for the long pilgrimage path (1600 km), and each morning there is a blessing for those about to set off on the journey.
The cloister is very attractive, with an unusually decorative design in white, red and black mosaic around the arches. In a room off the cloisters there is a large fresco, and upstairs there is a small 'treasury' room containing historical artefacts of interest.
Head to the cabinet at the far end for my personal favourites: an 18th century black virgin with a scary looking character peering from her dress and a very early painted statue called the 'petite pieta' (mother and child) - very small and simple and very beautiful.
The Corneille Rock bearing the statue of Mary and baby Jesus
Visible from many parts of Le Puy en Velay, the pink statue was erected in 1860. Interestingly it was made using the metal obtained from hundreds of cannons that had been seized during the Crimean war and were given to the town by Napoleon III.
The path up the rock to the statue is a peaceful stroll, leading to fine views across the town and surrounding region.
Note: the three sites above each have an admission charge - if you are visiting all of them, buy a combined entry ticket at your first port of call to save significantly on the total cost of entry. The cathedral and cloister is a listed Historic Monument in France - see Puy-en-Velay Cathedral cloisters for visitor information, admission charges etc.
The Crozatier Museum
This museum, established in the second half of the 19th century, is located in the pleasant Henry Vinay Park (in the southern end of the town) and features a very wide range of items from fossils to fine arts.
Other sites of interest
The historical town itself is also very attractive, with narrow streets to follow and a very impressive number of interesting buildings to discover around each corner. you will spend a lot of time just wandering and absorbing the atmosphere.
In the lower part of the old town the number of shops and boutiques starts to increase - note there are many lace shops because lace was historically a big industry in the town. There is a substantial museum dedicated to lace in the region at the 'Atelier Conservatoire National de la dentelle de Puy en Velay'.
There is a large square to the south (towards the Henry Vinay Garden) called Place de Breuil where markets are held and there is a tourist office (pick up the useful map of the town here before setting off exploring).
Overall, Le Puy is an attractive, not overly-commercialised, town and well worth the effort to get there, as much for its setting and general ambience as its individual sights of interest. It is also an excellent base for exploring the scenery of the Allier gorges.
The cathedral in Le Puy en Velay is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the town is listed as a 'Ville d'Art et d'Histoire.
Places to visit near Le Puy en Velay
One place very nearby that is worth seeing is Polignac, where a fortress has been built on a great rock that provides an extraordinary natural defence (just north of the town).
See also the Cascade de la Beaume, a very picturesque waterfall near Solignac, a little way to the south and reached via a 20 minute walk through a tranquil wooded valley (starts near Agizoux).
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Tourist Classifications for Le Puy-en-Velay
- Listed as "Plus Beaux Detour" town in France (ie recommended stopover place)
- Listed as "Ville d'Art et Histoire" (ie focus on preserving the town heritage)
Places to visit near Le Puy-en-Velay, France
Explore places of interest within about 70 kilometres on a map at places near Le Puy-en-Velay.
Some places to visit within 30 km: 
20 km: Arlempdes (Most beautiful village)
See also Le Puy-en-Velay (version Francais)
