https://accueilsaintfrancoislepuy.jimdo.com/le-gîte/le-gîte-d-étape/
Hi Ozzie,
I stayed there twice, once when I started out the Le-Puy-way in a cold February, and once when I arrived in Le Puy from Geneva in October. It is a lovely gite in the centre of the old town very close to the cathedral, hosted by St. Franciscan nuns. You need to book in advance if you are in a larger group - they have 19 beds in 13 rooms and generally very nice facilities, including a large kitchen/day room with great views and a garden.
It is ~20 Euros with breakfast, but ideal to ease you in gently to the perhaps more spartan accommodations further along the way.
Also just opposite and down along the cobbled street is a very nice restaurant with outside seating.
Steff