le puy

[randbam123]

Hi, I did the camino frances last May and will go back to do the Le Puy to SJDP route I am going sometime in May early June and worry about not speaking French, also looking for another pilgrim to at least do part of it?
michael

 

[billmclaughlin]

Have you read the other posts here? The language question has been addressed here recently

http://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/comradery-le-puy-vs-camino-frances.21593/

and in passing here:

http://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/trip-report-sept-oct-2013.21197/
and
http://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/trip-report-june-july-2013.20013/

And you'll want to keep an eye on the calendar here:

http://www.caminodesantiago.me/camino-de-santiago-calendar.htm

though not a single Anglophone I met hiking in Sept/Oct this year was aware of this message board, so I'd wager you can expect more language-compatible encounters by accident than by pre-arrangement.

--Bill

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I speak very little French, and have completed five pilgrimages in France. I never had a problem finding a translator in a crisis, but don't expect any of the services along the way to speak anything but French. The Quebecois were the very best translators, but Belgians, Swiss, Dutch, and German pilgrims also were very helpful.

As always, it is useful to know some of the local language.

Bon chemin.

 

[biloute]

I'm starting May 31, 2014. Maybe I'll see you along the way!

 

[TravellingSonn]

Biloute, I'll be a few days behind you!

 

[biloute]

Biloute, I'll be a few days behind you!

You'll probably catch up to me, too!

 

[Michelle_McA]

I will start April 10, 2014 from Le Puy. I speak French. I think there'll be enough of us so someone can help out.

 

[Roger and Jackey]

We're both in our early 60s and have never done a long walk like this so will be travelling slowly. Great to see so many of us will be on the Le Puy route in May. Cheers

 

[Kanga]

We're both in our early 60s and have never done a long walk like this so will be travelling slowly. Great to see so many of us will be on the Le Puy route in May. Cheers

It is very beautiful but take it easy to start. There are some strenuous sections between Le Puy and Conques. If you have a choice between a 15 km day and a 20km day - take the gite or chambre d'hotes at 15 km. I particularly remember the steep descent into and climb out of Monistrol, and the long descent to St Come d'Olt.

I envy you. The scenery is stunning, the villages and towns beautiful, the people interesting, and the food superb! Enjoy the croissants.

 

[ranthr]

We're both in our early 60s and have never done a long walk like this so will be travelling slowly. Great to see so many of us will be on the Le Puy route in May. Cheers

Bonne route!
Out of Sauges last May I gave up counting when 50-60 pilgrims had passed me, so you will definitely not be alone on the road. As Kanga said there is a very steep climb down to Monistrol. I did it once in a dry August, and in wet weather last May I took the road from Saint Privat d'Allier to Monistrol. It was a quiet road, met very few cars and the view was beautiful.

 

[Roger and Jackey]

That sounds comforting. We'll keep in mind the road in case the weather turns nasty. Cheers

 

[Roger and Jackey]

It is very beautiful but take it easy to start. There are some strenuous sections between Le Puy and Conques. If you have a choice between a 15 km day and a 20km day - take the gite or chambre d'hotes at 15 km. I particularly remember the steep descent into and climb out of Monistrol, and the long descent to St Come d'Olt.

I envy you. The scenery is stunning, the villages and towns beautiful, the people interesting, and the food superb! Enjoy the croissants.

We'll certainly take it easy for the first few days. We know it's tempting to go hard to start with but have made that mistake before. We spent several weeks in the Dordogne area last year and found it stunning, so really looking forward to the villages, scenery and food. Cheers

 

[Footloose_Dan]

Hi Michael,
I'm planning to leave on May 29. Might see you there.

 

[Roger and Jackey]

Hi Michael,
I'm planning to leave on May 29. Might see you there.

You'll probably be passing us !!

 

[Charlie Robinson]

Hi Michael,
I'm planning to leave on May 29. Might see you there.

We are 3 60-something guys from New Jersey - Mike, Gary and me (Charlie) - and are also starting from Le Puy on May 29. Only going as far as Conques. Not much French in the group. Already booked accommodations through CaminoWays. Bon chemin.

 

[Gammy Knees Dublin]

I am 57 and heading solo (with my partner as driver and back up as we are staying in 2 campsites) to either Conques or Figeac in 10 days walking, starting out on May 27th.
Ruaidhri

 

[AMDG56]

I am 57 and heading solo (with my partner as driver and back up as we are staying in 2 campsites) to either Conques or Figeac in 10 days walking, starting out on May 27th.
Ruaidhri

Dia duit Ruaidhri
How are the Dublin gammy knees holding up?
I'm hoping to do this stroll In September and wondering will I meet fellow Irish walkers.
AMDG


Sent from my iPad

 

[Gammy Knees Dublin]

Dia is mhuire dhuit. I didn't meet any Irish person on the walk. It was predominantly French people with a splattering of Canadians and Americans, a few Belgians. I think that most Irish people begin at St Jean Pied de Port and begin the Camino Frances. Don't let this put you off though as everybody is really friendly and only a little French will get you a long way. The knees held up fine thankfully. I decided to be realistic and aim for Conques rather than Figeac as I only had 10 days. It is a beautiful stretch of the Chemin with the highlight for me being suddenly emerging onto the Aubrac at a time when I was sagging in strength, and being totally revitalised by the breathtaking wonder of the Aubrac (a cross between the Curragh of Kildare and the Burren at altitude!!). I am going back to resume from Conques next year. Last year I did a taster week from Figeac to Moissac which is also a lovely stretch of the Chemin, and resolved to do the whole walk over 4 years to St Jean, and maybe onwards to Santiago in future years, although I have walked circa 400 kms of this route in Spain many years ago (1990) on a fundraising walk for the MS Society. Have a bon chemin in Sptember!
Ruaidhri