Le Puy Route alberges open in november??

[yourheromad]

Hello everyone,

This past summer I walked the Camino from SJPDP to Santiago. Now I am studying in France for a semester and have a week off in a couple weeks in November. I would love to walk some of the Le Puy route. I am curious if anyone knows if accomodations will be limited, or if there will be options in each town. I imagine that it is getting to the slow season, so perhaps reservations are not required, but also the alberges may be closing for the season.

Anyone have any hints? I have about 9 days and would like to make it to Conques.

Any other general comments would be helpful as well!
Buen camino!

Madeline

 

[Kitsambler]

Walking from Le Puy to Conques in November is surely feasible. However, I would grab a current copy of MMD and get reservations each night, just to assure yourself that places will be open. I would not assume that the open/closing dates quoted in MMD are currently accurate or will be adhered to, since the information for the 2011 edition is now almost a year out of date. Even if they will be open, the operators are tired (and a bit cranky) at the end of a long season, and they may decide to take a night off on the very night you need them to be open. In France, reservations are never a bad idea; the French themselves will call midday to reserve the following night, as an absolute minimum. Also pay attention to the town/market open/closing days. Confirm with your lodging operator that a meal will be available somewhere, if you are not taking demi-pension.

You can expect to encounter bad weather on that stretch in November; take gear for cold - wet- windy, and don't be surprised by snow.

You should also check whether the transport services are running on your dates; weather may force you to use them occasionally.

But by all means: this is feasible, and I strongly encourage you to go do it!