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Thank you so much that’s a relief! I’m planning going this spring or fall. I’ve read where the locals there say best time to walk it is in the fall but I was planning this spring. Do you have a preference and recommendation?
funnily enough one of the guy was also in the previous town Aumont-Aubrac and remembered I was asking. Just make sure you show your enthusiasm for the via Podiensis, which deserves it 100%. They feel a bit like Cindarella compared to Camino Frances.
May is the busiest month on the Podiensis [September is the second busiest], and the French tend to take advantage of holidays as there are 5 of them this coming year in May. In the spring you may get a tad more rain than early fall, but you'll have the spring flowers. The seasonal gîtes d'étape open in April and start closing down after the first week of October. It is likely to be busy, but it is only 1/10 as busy as the Francés, the busiest segment being Le Puy-en-Velay to Conques.. You might want to join the basically anglophone Facebook group dedicated to this route started by Robert Forrester--they can be extremely helpful and supportive https://www.facebook.com/groups/ViaPodiensis
I didn’t see too many along this route. I would recommend getting a guide book (I used Miam miam dodo) and either calling (if you can speak French) or emailing ahead of time. With a guide book you can see if the hosts speak your language, whether there’s shared rooms and baths, dinner and/or breakfast provided, wifi etc. Hope this helps! Buen Camino! Lisa
Thank you for that inspiring info and seems you had an epic experience. I will probably put this out on the forum, but do you have recommendations or preference of best time of year (fall vs spring) and specific time good to start? I know there’s pros and cons to each. I read where the locals recommend fall. Also, I understand in very rural or more remote areas you can stay on farms. Did you have any experience with that? And I would imagine likely that the hosts on farms wouldn’t speak English.For a staying? As Tourist Office the guys at Nasbinals rock it
My must staying on the way:
Saint Chely St Andre
Soulie Michel Donativo (they call it Love& Peace, magical experience)
Conque Abbey
La Cassagnole Gite Le Relais donativo, lovely atmosphere. we ate a great dinner and sang together, hospitalers happened to have their guitar and some guys danced.
CAhors 2° Souffle. (or Gite Municipal) - Jacque is a star to give tips
Lectoure Le pas sage small cosy and strong pilgrim spirit
Lamothe Mille Bornes (I made an extra short stretch to stay here and did not regret it)
Navarrenx Cri Giraffe what a dinner!!!
Aroue Bohoteguia dinner and friendship
Ostabat Ospitalia - lovely taking care
Zubiri Suseia, lovely lovely dinner and taking care. Sarah is a star. Extra short bit out of the way but worthwhile
Most of this you can book yourself directly without the aid of tourist office.
I walked in May rained a bit , but a lovely time of year to see the beautiful countryside. I am walking it again next year in May
Bonjour / G’Day Bill, to answer your question directly : there are a good number of tourist offices [office de tourisme en français] on the Chemin du Puy. In the first stretch to Conques [10–12 days depending in how far you like to walk wach say] you will find them at Le Puy-en-Velay, Saugues, Saint-Alban-sur-Limagnole, Aumont-Aubrac, Nasbinals, Saint-Chély-d’Aubrac, Saint-Côme-d’Olt, Espalion, Estaing and Conques ... so, there are plenty ... and all of them are very / unfailing helpful and will help you find a bed and phone ahead as well for reservations ...
