Gite-Accueil au Soulie de Saint Jacques

[scruffy1]

I am fine tuning my planning for next Spring, haven't gotten very far, Espalion and Estaing seem to be too beautiful for words and will slow me down but Santiago calls. I am intrigued by the Gite-Accueil au Soulie de Saint Jacques-some 20 kilometers beyond Estaing, small family run, communal dinner with the family-seems a dream. Has anyone stayed there? If I have not already been arrested for murdering the French language can I make do with my "Frenglish"? Any information would be helpful.
F

 

[Kitsambler]

There isn't really anything in the way of towns or hamlets between Golinhac and Espeyrac, so this gite must be free-standing and out in the countryside. That means the likelihood of English conversation, either with the hosts or with other walkers, will be minimal. Practice your French (especially pleasantries and the elevator speech).

 

[KiwiNomad06]

Yes, I have stayed there- have PMed you with my opinion. I can't remember totally, but I think I mainly had to speak French when I was there with those running the place- but there are volunteer hospitaleros and it's possible you will hit someone who speaks some English. When I was there, there were actually some English speaking guests, but that isn't so common on the Le Puy route.
Margaret

 

[Thornley]

Hi Scruffy,

We stayed there in 2010.
** You will only use MMDD Scruffy , seriously.
We had an english speaking frenchman , Michel , a great guy , no one else in mid june.
Cooking is not taking too seriously, donation for all facilities and you will have a room on your own , i promise you.
It's in the country side [ Plan 20 on MMDD] but beautiful.
The next morning he took our bags to Conques to attend Sunday Mass whilst we enjoyed the day walking without a pack
We all met him there and enjoyed the day , the feeling walking without a pack is wonderful.
We were also grateful because the decent into Conques is very dangerous if h20 around.

We were in the same company [ French lady from Comedy Paris and a Moroccan guy living in Nice] that commenced that day in Estaing with us. It was a great night.

**** There are some days , Estaing etc when you will actually seek out the accommodation normally found on the Frances.

I will stay there again when i repeat the Le Puy/ S De C camino.
If you are not sure the walk to Espeyrac/Senergues only 3.5/7.0km , is stunning , especially next morning when fresh.

The most beautiful way is Le Puy,
Enjoy Sruffy old boy,
David

 

[wawpdx]

Scruffy,
I paused there one morning last summer, much appreciated their roadside coffee/cookies table hospitality and sat in their chapel room for a bit (as I recall, there was on-going, recorded background music). The people themselves were just leaving when I arrived. They may have been off to church, we didn't communicate too clearly. You can stop in there even if you don't stay there.

For myself, I will always and forever choose to stay exactly where I was the night before: in Massip at Gite d'etape l'Oree du Chemin (see Plan 21, MMDD). It was a little bit of heaven. I was walking alone but I felt like I was in an informal, gourmet restaurant with a group of friends. You could easily spend the morning in Estaing and spend the night in Massip.

Nancy