List of Albergues, Le Puy to St. Jean PP

[pelegrinotrek]

I'm thinking about walking Le Puy to St. Jean PP this fall (2008). Has anyone compiled a recent list of albergues/refugios/gites for this section? How much does a simple pilgrim's bed cost these days? (Obviously, we're not talking 4-star...)

Thanks!

Brandon

 

[KiwiNomad06]

The situation in France is a bit different from that in Spain.

Firstly, it is common to reserve gites in France, even if only one or two days ahead, by telephone. There are not as many beds as in Spain, and at times the cheaper places get full, and if you haven't booked you might need to take a more expensive chambre d'hote option. Most people carry the Miam Miam Dodo guide with them on the Le Puy route, and this lists accommodation options and prices. This is available from CSJ, but also in Le Puy from the shop in the Cathedral where you can also get your pilgrim's passport. If you can't speak French, you can probably find a helpful French pilgrim along the way who will reserve for you, and most tourist offices in France will also help with this. (By the way, for making reservations in France... I often wished I had a mobile phone with me, as not all villages had telephone cabins, and without a phone I could never leave a message asking to be rung back about a reservation...)

There are two kinds of gites in France, the communal ones and the private ones. The standard of accommodation in both is usually very good. Communal gites are run for walkers by the local municipality, and tend to just offer a bed. Private gites by contrast often allow you to take the option of demi-pension, meaning you get breakfast and dinner included. The evening meal shared like this is often a very important way of getting to know other walkers.

Costs in France are much higher than in Spain. For a bed in a communal gite, you are often looking at around 8-10 Euros for the night. For demi-pension you are usually looking at somewhere between 25-30 Euros for the night. The meals when you take the d-p option are mostly excellent, several courses, and often feature regional dishes, and in fact in many rural areas maybe your only option for getting an evening meal.

I have just returned home, and started from Le Puy this past spring. If you have any other questions feel free to PM me if you want.

 

[jl]

A tip that I found helpful when I was walking from Le Puy, was to go into the Tourist Office and ask them to book for the next day. They always had a copy of Miam Miam Dodo there, and after selecting the preferred desitination the person at the desk rang through to book for me. These people at the tourist offices were wonderfully helpful about all kinds of things, including accomodation. Janet

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Treat yourself to a night with the Romans at Seviac. The gite is on the grounds of an archeological dig of a Roman bath. After the school tour groups are gone for the day, resident pilgrims can wander (carefully, of course, without effecting the mosaics and respecting the barriers) the place. If you are not completely lacking in imagination, as I am, you may even be visited by a centurion during the night ...

 

[gittiharre]

Hi, I have just returned from walking from Le Puy en Velay to St Jean Pied de Port. I had a fantastic time, took 39 days to walk the track and stayed in lots of amazing places. My expenses averaged at 37 Euros per day, including, bed, breakfast, dinner and a picnic lunch and the odd beer or aperitiv, even a haircut!
I tended to stay in places that offered demipension. The meals there were superior to any restaurant meals, unless the restaurant meal was associated with a gite and specifically aimed at pilgrims/walkers.
The following places, which should all be in the latest Miam Miam Dodo, deserve special mention:
Sauges: Gite a la Ferme, great rooms/bathrooms, very welcoming owner and lovely homecooked food, 5 mins walk from centre.
Chanaleilles: Cafe du Pont. This is a little off the track and at first I thought it did not look very inviting as the gite is in a funny looking spot on the outskirts of the village. As soon as you got through the front door, another story. Fab rooms, big kitchen dining space with open fire, a short walk to a very typical french little bar/restaurant, great food.
Aumont Aubrac: La Ferme du Barry. Great athmospheric restored building 5 mins from centre. Specialises in Aligot, a delicious rich potato and cheese based dish peculiar to the region. A real experience.
Nasbinal: Gite de Caracter Lod'ici. Beautifully refurbished stone house in centre with garden, very Zen, stunning rooms with crisp white sheets, poems on walls. Amazing.
Senergues: Domaine Le Senos, colourful restored spacious stone house, lovely terrace, dinner under pergola.
Livinhac de Haut: La Magnanerie. Characterfilled rooms, antiques, lovely garden setting, excellent restauran close by.

 

[gittiharre]

Second instalment of great places to stay.
Cajarc: Les Pelerines. Newish gite in lovely grounds easy short walk to delightful small town.
Selection of nice restaurants or self cater at gite.
Limogne en Quercy: Les Gloriettes. One of my favourites in large stone house with blue shutters in stunning walled garden setting. Spacious and easy, full of artifacts. Great for self catering or dinners out.
Gite de Poudally: In the country, beautiful newly restored property and delicious food.
Lascabanes: Nid des Anges. Attached to the church, lovely setting in glorious valley surrounded by massive sunflower fields.
Lauzerte: Les Figuieres. Newly built gite with nice rooms, ensuites, views, lovely food, based on figs as ingredients. Free internet.
Moissac: Ultreia. Run by a delightful irish couple and their little boy. Great rooms, coutyard garden, lovely food. Short walk to centre.
Auvillar: Gite Communal. Like a luxury hotel. Newly and tastefully refurbished. Pristine. Need to eat out or selfcater.
Castet Aroue: I stayed in a private house on the trail. The owner Marie Ange herself a pilgrim is wonderful and you join the family for dinner.
Marsolan: Enclos du Tabus. Large garden setting, standalone summer house, pool, great food.
Lamothe: This was the best value for money place on the whole trail. Run by Fritz, a german guy, it is a smallish refurbished bungalow, lovely new metal full lenght bunks, hospital covered latex mattresses, welcome drink, dinner of salad platter, followed by fantastic stew, cheese platter, wine.Breakfast of homemade Muesli and homemade bread. Free Internet. From memory around E 20.
Le Haget: Fantastic accommodation in stables on large farm. Demipension.

 

[gittiharre]

Third instalment of great places to stay.
Gite Dubarry near Micoulas. Amazing barn conversion with stained glass windows set into stone, handcarved by owner. Exquisite.
Air sur L'Adour. Hospitalet ST Jacques. Run by former pilgrim couple. Self cater or great restaurant near by. Lovely house in village. Amzing welcome.
Bestide: Ferme de Marson. A farm producing foie gras and other things. Lovely garden setting, pool. Delicious stews, soups, pates, wine available from their shop for self catering.
Cambarrat: Near Arganon. Gite Prive, belongs to a stylist and her husband. Fantastic restored farmhouse using locally sourced materials including colourful basque fabrics. Option to stay in little wagons, roulottes, with handcrafted and colourful artistic interiors. Delicious food.
Ostabat: About 1 km beyond Ostabat is a new purpose built gite with nice rooms, balconies, ensuites and a hilarious singing basque host. Well worth the experience, forgot name of gite, sorry.
All of the above gites were really clean and free of bedbugs!

 

[KiwiNomad06]

Great lists Gitti....wonderful detail. (Bring back many memories too!) I second a lot of what you say!

Margaret

 

[Thornley]

To Margaret, Gitti and Bob thanks for the help you have given.
Our journey next year whether in June or Sept. has been made easier by your wonderful contributions.
Keep well all,
David

 

[MaureenM]

Thank you for your list. It should be very helpful as we plan our next section of the Camino de Santiago for Sept this year....Le Puy to Conques. We walked the Aire sur L'Adour to St Jean PP in 2008. Last year, 2009, we walked in the Jura mountains, and in 2007, Alsace. The atmosphere is very different on the Camino...more sociable and fun. The others were enjoyable but as people have commented on other threads, you sometimes only pass a couple of people in a whole day's walk.

Thanks again.

 

[Thornley]

Is it possible to stay more than one day in the communial gites ?
Thanks for any advice,
D

 

[gittiharre]

Sorry, not sure, if you have some sort of ailment they often let you stay longer, may be if they are not booked out they will??? Gitti

 

[KiwiNomad06]

Thornley,
I think it does seem easier to stay a second night sometimes in France: in some places they seem to recognise you might just need a rest day without being sick. I was quite easily able to book a second night in the gite communal in Conques. Also, some people are not walking the Chemin de St Jacques, but might be basing themselves in a local gite while using a car to get to a few nearby walks over several days, and this also seemed OK in some places. Probably you just need to ask in the places you are interested to see if it is possible.
Margaret

 

[squirepeter]

The gite with the 'Singing Basque' was 800 m after Ostabat - Ferme Gaineko-Etxea - 05-59-37-81-10, and on 25/06/'04, the welcome and the ambiance was fantastic. :arrow: Peter

 

[gittiharre]

Thank you Peter, that was it! Gitti

 

[Thornley]

Hi All,
Any advice on where to stay in Monistrol -D- Allier.
We will not be staying in a "hotel room" but was considering the 3 gites available.
We are booked into Montbonnet and wanted a short day before Saugues.
Thanks for any assistance,
David

 

[KiwiNomad06]

I had a pleasant evening at Gîte La Tsabone in Monistrol d'Allier. Somehow the layout of the gîte led to a lot of interaction between people staying there. The people who owned/ran it didn't live there, but brought in the very nice evening meal from somewhere else- I think they were connected with the local bar or something like that.
Margaret

PS My info is now two years old though, as I walked this part of the route in April 2008.

 

[pfhalpin]

The situation in France is a bit different from that in Spain.

Firstly, it is common to reserve gites in France, even if only one or two days ahead, by telephone. There are not as many beds as in Spain, and at times the cheaper places get full, and if you haven't booked you might need to take a more expensive chambre d'hote option. Most people carry the Miam Miam Dodo guide with them on the Le Puy route, and this lists accommodation options and prices. This is available from CSJ, but also in Le Puy from the shop in the Cathedral where you can also get your pilgrim's passport. If you can't speak French, you can probably find a helpful French pilgrim along the way who will reserve for you, and most tourist offices in France will also help with this. (By the way, for making reservations in France... I often wished I had a mobile phone with me, as not all villages had telephone cabins, and without a phone I could never leave a message asking to be rung back about a reservation...)

There are two kinds of gites in France, the communal ones and the private ones. The standard of accommodation in both is usually very good. Communal gites are run for walkers by the local municipality, and tend to just offer a bed. Private gites by contrast often allow you to take the option of demi-pension, meaning you get breakfast and dinner included. The evening meal shared like this is often a very important way of getting to know other walkers.

Costs in France are much higher than in Spain. For a bed in a communal gite, you are often looking at around 8-10 Euros for the night. For demi-pension you are usually looking at somewhere between 25-30 Euros for the night. The meals when you take the d-p option are mostly excellent, several courses, and often feature regional dishes, and in fact in many rural areas maybe your only option for getting an evening meal.

I have just returned home, and started from Le Puy this past spring. If you have any other questions feel free to PM me if you want.

Hi Kiwi Nomad

I realise that you wrote your post in 2007 so hope you are still keeping an eye on this site. I am heading off from Australia on 22 March and starting walking from Le Puy on 24 March. It is spring so I am expecting unsteady weather. What was the weather like when you walked in spring?
I am walking in shorts although I do have long pants for the evening. I have a good rain jacket (and am thinking about supplementing this with a poncho), a polar fleece and merino long sleeved under shirt. I am not too worried about the weather. I have walked before along the Le Puy Camino but in autumn and the weather was often hot during the afternoon and we didn't get all that much rain.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Phil

 

[KiwiNomad06]

Hi Phil,
I am still around;-) To be honest, it could be quite wet and cold when you start off on 24 March, and I have read in some years about how snowed in the beginning of the route is, even at the beginning of April. You might be lucky though- it does vary a lot from year to year. I walk in shorts mostly as well, but I definitely needed my polyprop long trou a few times when I walked mid-April in 2008. I struck snow a couple of times, and on my first day across the Aubrac Plateau I was absolutely saturated with rain, and very cold. But when I re-crossed the Aubrac Plateau in 2012 I was walking in quite hot sunshine, and I had the joy of seeing all the views that had been hidden in the mist the first time, so you never know your luck!

I would take some trou for wearing on those colder days walking though. Maybe you have some old polyprops in the back of a cupboard that you could take then throw out once you have passed Conques and descended to a lower level, when hopefully it should be a bit warmer, if not drier.
Margaret
PS. Sorry if polyprops is a kiwi word...

 

[Deleted member 3000]

The coldest I have been on any camino was April on the Chemin du Puy. I have a friend who coaches youth hockey in shorts in rinks well below freezing. He is Canadian. For everyone else, shorts would not be adequate!! Ditto the Aubrac plateau in France.

 

[pfhalpin]

The coldest I have been on any camino was April on the Chemin du Puy. I have a friend who coaches youth hockey in shorts in rinks well below freezing. He is Canadian. For everyone else, shorts would not be adequate!! Ditto the Aubrac plateau in France.

 

[pfhalpin]

Hi Margaret
Thank you very much for your reply, advice and list of albergues. I am rearranging my stopping points in order to stay in as many of your recommendations as I can and still stick to my time frame.
Are poly props just rain proof trousers?
I am intending to structure my blog to be helpful to future caminoists. Hope it is. I have two months but I am feeling less urgency. If I don't get to the end, that is ok. I just have to be in Casablanca on 23 may.
Anyway, thanks again.
Phil

 

[Kanga]

I second (third) the comments about the possibility of cold weather. Ian and I froze during early April when coming into Cahors from Saint Cirq Lapopie (a small diversion). We had sleety icy rain and strong winds. In early spring I always have a set of merino or silk thermals stuffed in the bottom of my pack but that year my rain gear (a poncho) was completely inadequate.

 

[susiew]

Hello all... I have been looking at this thread and as most of the info is quite a few years old....can anyone confirm or give an update any of the recommended above gites and accommodations and places of good experiences....I plan to walk +/- the last week in Aug 2014. I would love to hear from those of you that are walking at the moment ....or in Aug last year ...many thanks in advance

 

[gittiharre]

Hi Susiew I walked the Le Puy route again with my husband in 2012 and have got a list of accommodations/ reviews from then, happy to email them to you if you sen me your email address, cheers, Gitti

 

[susiew]

Hi Susiew I walked the Le Puy route again with my husband in 2012 and have got a list of accommodations/ reviews from then, happy to email them to you if you sen me your email address, cheers, Gitti

Thanks Gitti you have already... making notes on your advise....

 

[gittiharre]

Hilyn, the list above is of places from my 2009 walk, I walked again with my husband in 2012 and have an updated list. I tried to load it, but it would not let me, happy to email it to anyone though if you send me your address. Regards, Gitti

 

[AMDG56]

Does anybody know anything about the MMDD phone app.
I was about to purchase and saw it was the 2013 edition.
As I am not travelling until September I was wondering if there will be a 2014 edition soon??
Thanks

 

[susiew]

Many thanks to Gitti and Kiwinomad for all your great accommodation advice which I jotted into my MMDD guide book.....

I would love to hear from pilgrims walking in 2014 Le Puy route and hear what accommodation they used and if they had any special places where they had a good experience ...

Thank you

 

[paulstmalo]

Many thanks to Gitti and Kiwinomad for all your great accommodation advice which I jotted into my MMDD guide book.....

I would love to hear from pilgrims walking in 2014 Le Puy route and hear what accommodation they used and if they had any special places where they had a good experience ...

Thank you

Hi,
I've just come back from doing the portion between Aire sur l'Adour and St Jean PdP.

Aire sur l'Adour - Camping des Ombrages, they have 3 smallish caravans for pilgrims 23€ per night w/o food.

Miramont-Sensacq - Ferme de Marsan, lovely gite, 30€ per night for the double + 3€ for b/fast. Farm sells food for self/cook. Although address is given as Merimont, the farm is roughly 3 kms further on.

Arzacq-Arrizaguet - Centre d'accueil municipal, nice welcome and room. 29€ half/board per person

Geus d'Arzacq - Gite Aygelongue. Only 2 rooms in a private house right on the GR. 33€ per pers h/b

Argagnon - Gite Cambarrat. Lovely old renovated house, lovely meal and banjo concert afterwards by owner. 28€ p.p h/b. Gite is about a km before bridge over the river. Favourite place, not to be missed ***

Navarrenx - Gite de l'Alchimiste, great atmosphere here and a wonderful meal cooked by owner, Gaetan. Rooms and meals are "Donativo", we left 100€ for the 4 of us.

Aroue - Ferme de Bohoteguia, Recently reconstructed gite on a working farm. Most of the food is home-produced and plenty of it. 32€ p.p. for h/b.
The gite is on the GR about 1 km before Aroue. 2nd favourite **

Ostabat - Auberge Amatzanea, friendly welcome from a genuine Basque. Rooms are spread between a couple of houses on or near the main square.
35€ p.p. for h/b.

St Jean PdP - Gite Compostella, A couple of hundred metres away from the centre of St Jean. Rooms are a little pokey but clean. Also 35€ p.p. for h/b
but meals inc b/fast are taken at a little restaurant "Chez Edouard" at the entrance to the walled town.

Out of all these places we had absolutely no complaints to make and no bedbugs to write home about. We were 2 couples of over 60's so comfort was
something we appreciated.
Enjoy your planning

 

[marbuck]

Out of all these places we had absolutely no complaints to make and no bedbugs to write home about. We were 2 couples of over 60's so comfort was
something we appreciated.

We are over 60 also and enjoy a private room where available. Were any of the places listed above 'private rooms with toilet'. Did you find you needed a sleeping bag? On the Frances we found we were not using our sleeping bags so posted them on. We do not intend taking sleeping bags on the Le Puy route. Keeping our pack weight down.

 

[paulstmalo]

Out of all these places we had absolutely no complaints to make and no bedbugs to write home about. We were 2 couples of over 60's so comfort was
something we appreciated.

We are over 60 also and enjoy a private room where available. Were any of the places listed above 'private rooms with toilet'. Did you find you needed a sleeping bag? On the Frances we found we were not using our sleeping bags so posted them on. We do not intend taking sleeping bags on the Le Puy route. Keeping our pack weight down.

Hi,
We don't carry sleeping bags just a liner. All the gites, hotels and chambres d'hotes always provide blankets so a liner is sufficient as sheets are not often available and when they are it is at a price.
Of the above only at Arzacq-Arrizaguet and Geus d'Arzacq did we have en-suite toilets, although we did have private rooms everywhere.
When we did the part from Le Puy to Espalion last year we had private rooms everywhere but only at the Convent de Malet in St Come d'Olt and the Gite St André in St Chely d'Aubrac did we have en-suite toilets.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

the Convent de Malet in St Come d'Olt

Some 5 million Euro have been spent on renovation of the Convent, which is operated by the nuns. The rooms are very comfortable, and the food, served by the nuns and lay persons, is basic and filling. The monastery/convent in Vaylats also is operated by the few remaining nuns and volunteers, but is not in undated condition. Both are worth a visit.

 

[irishgurrrl]

Based on walking it this April/May I would recommend you bring a sleeping bag.... the weather was really good (exceptionally warm) for April and most of our trip and I normally sleep reasonably warm but I was cold in bed ALOT on this camino (cold = not enough sleep!). I brought a silk liner and used the blanket(s) provided at the gites but even with one or two it can still be cold. Of course everyone has their own preference on this and it was one I debated about for ages before I left but I have to say I regret not bringing a lightweight sleeping bag on the Le Puy Route .... and unless you intend to stay in top notch (we have duvets and heating!!!) type of places then I suggest its worth bringing one.

 

[marbuck]

Now I am confused, to carry or not to carry a sleeping bag. On the Camino Frances we did tend to stay in private rooms with toilet and they always provided sheets and blankets. We had to pay for this privilege but at that time we thought this would be the only pilgrimage we would ever do so why not a bit of luxury, little did we realize that going on Camino is additive. I do realize we will be on a different route with different standards of accommodation but I think (and hope) the Camino will provide. But thanks for the feedback. We still have seven months to go so maybe I will change my mind and take notice of pilgrims who have done the walk.

 

[Diegomartine]

Here is the list of albergues of the Camino Frances

http://caminoteca.com/attachments/article/123/Albergues_Camino_Francés_2015.pdf

 

[Flemming Behrend]

Hilyn, the list above is of places from my 2009 walk, I walked again with my husband in 2012 and have an updated list. I tried to load it, but it would not let me, happy to email it to anyone though if you send me your address. Regards, Gitti

Going on that same route in 2016 I would love a copy of your list as well. Hope it is not any inconvenience.

 

[gittiharre]

Not at all. Send me a private message with your email address and I will send it to you

 

[Flemming Behrend]

Not at all. Send me a private message with your email address and I will send it to you

Not at all. Send me a private message with your email address and I will send it to you

How do I send a private message with my email???

 

[gittiharre]

Click on my name and start a conversation

 

[nathanael]

Hi, I have just returned from walking from Le Puy en Velay to St Jean Pied de Port. I had a fantastic time, took 39 days to walk the track and stayed in lots of amazing places. My expenses averaged at 37 Euros per day, including, bed, breakfast, dinner and a picnic lunch and the odd beer or aperitiv, even a haircut!
I tended to stay in places that offered demipension. The meals there were superior to any restaurant meals, unless the restaurant meal was associated with a gite and specifically aimed at pilgrims/walkers.
The following places, which should all be in the latest Miam Miam Dodo, deserve special mention:
Sauges: Gite a la Ferme, great rooms/bathrooms, very welcoming owner and lovely homecooked food, 5 mins walk from centre.
Chanaleilles: Cafe du Pont. This is a little off the track and at first I thought it did not look very inviting as the gite is in a funny looking spot on the outskirts of the village. As soon as you got through the front door, another story. Fab rooms, big kitchen dining space with open fire, a short walk to a very typical french little bar/restaurant, great food.
Aumont Aubrac: La Ferme du Barry. Great athmospheric restored building 5 mins from centre. Specialises in Aligot, a delicious rich potato and cheese based dish peculiar to the region. A real experience.
Nasbinal: Gite de Caracter Lod'ici. Beautifully refurbished stone house in centre with garden, very Zen, stunning rooms with crisp white sheets, poems on walls. Amazing.
Senergues: Domaine Le Senos, colourful restored spacious stone house, lovely terrace, dinner under pergola.
Livinhac de Haut: La Magnanerie. Characterfilled rooms, antiques, lovely garden setting, excellent restauran close by.

You say it took 39 days is that from le Puy to Santiago or to SJPP.

 

[irishgurrrl]

You say it took 39 days is that from le Puy to Santiago or to SJPP.

to SJPdeP - if you read what she wrote again its in there

 

[gittiharre]

You say it took 39 days is that from le Puy to Santiago or to SJPP.

To St Jean

 

[katie@camino]

I am doing t his walk in July this year and the information you have provided here is most helpful. Thankyou so so much.

Hi, I have just returned from walking from Le Puy en Velay to St Jean Pied de Port. I had a fantastic time, took 39 days to walk the track and stayed in lots of amazing places. My expenses averaged at 37 Euros per day, including, bed, breakfast, dinner and a picnic lunch and the odd beer or aperitiv, even a haircut!
I tended to stay in places that offered demipension. The meals there were superior to any restaurant meals, unless the restaurant meal was associated with a gite and specifically aimed at pilgrims/walkers.
The following places, which should all be in the latest Miam Miam Dodo, deserve special mention:
Sauges: Gite a la Ferme, great rooms/bathrooms, very welcoming owner and lovely homecooked food, 5 mins walk from centre.
Chanaleilles: Cafe du Pont. This is a little off the track and at first I thought it did not look very inviting as the gite is in a funny looking spot on the outskirts of the village. As soon as you got through the front door, another story. Fab rooms, big kitchen dining space with open fire, a short walk to a very typical french little bar/restaurant, great food.
Aumont Aubrac: La Ferme du Barry. Great athmospheric restored building 5 mins from centre. Specialises in Aligot, a delicious rich potato and cheese based dish peculiar to the region. A real experience.
Nasbinal: Gite de Caracter Lod'ici. Beautifully refurbished stone house in centre with garden, very Zen, stunning rooms with crisp white sheets, poems on walls. Amazing.
Senergues: Domaine Le Senos, colourful restored spacious stone house, lovely terrace, dinner under pergola.
Livinhac de Haut: La Magnanerie. Characterfilled rooms, antiques, lovely garden setting, excellent restauran close by.

 

[gittiharre]

I am doing t his walk in July this year and the information you have provided here is most helpful. Thankyou so so much.

Pleasure Katie.

 

[caminka]

hello!

my contribution to accommodation lists on via podiensis. also where to sleep between SJPP and irun.
if you have problems viewing the files, try this link: http://caminka.eu.pn/downloads.html.

file podiensis updated 4. 4. 2016.

caminka

 

[katie@camino]

hello!

my contribution to accommodation lists on via podiensis. also where to sleep between SJPP and irun.
if you have problems viewing the files, try this link: http://caminka.eu.pn/downloads.html.

caminka

hello!

my contribution to accommodation lists on via podiensis. also where to sleep between SJPP and irun.
if you have problems viewing the files, try this link: http://caminka.eu.pn/downloads.html.

caminka

Oh wow this is wonderful. Thanks so much sharing

 

[caminka]

no problem.

 

[Mama B]

Wow! Thank you for sharing this. It is a great help!

 

[André Hospitalet]

I'm thinking about walking Le Puy to St. Jean PP this fall (2008). Has anyone compiled a recent list of albergues/refugios/gites for this section? How much does a simple pilgrim's bed cost these days? (Obviously, we're not talking 4-star...)

Thanks!

Brandon

It's possible to find a complete list of accommodations on the Le puy route and on the Camino frances in our web site:

Go to articles GITES / HEBERGEMENTS VOIE DU PUY GR 65 and GITES / HEBERGEMENTS CAMINO FRANCES

If you need you have a translation tool and also the same list of accommodations in English for Le puy route in the English part of our web site.

Adress of our web site is:http://www.saintjacques-hospitalet.fr/

A nice way to every body. The one on the way and the one of life.

Odile and André

Notice: Our gite Hospitalet Saint Jacques in Aire sur l'Adour is definitively closed.

 

[Sorayah]

Hi Susiew I walked the Le Puy route again with my husband in 2012 and have got a list of accommodations/ reviews from then, happy to email them to you if you sen me your email address, cheers, Gitti[/QUOTE

Hi Gitti, my partner and I are on our way to Le Puy now to start our Chemin all the way to Finessteria! Can you please kindly email me your list of accomodation recriminations? That would be very helpful. Cheers Sorayah
Email address: szazuri@hotmail.com

 

[caminka]

updated lists for the route from lyon to le puy-en-velay, via podiensis, and GR-10 to hendaye/irun. (june 2016)

 

[Black sheep wandering]

I will be walking solo from Geneva to St Jean PdP via the Le Puy route in October - November 2016. Does anyone have current information about accomodation?

 

[OzAnnie]

I will be walking solo from Geneva to St Jean PdP via the Le Puy route in October - November 2016. Does anyone have current information about accomodation?

Hi black sheep wandering .
@caminka - in response above -includes the accommodation you're after and is very Current -
'Accommodation podiensis'

The list is also in the resources section of this forum.
I will be starting Le Puy on 3 sept with a friend from Oz
Buen Camino

 

[Black sheep wandering]

Hi black sheep wandering .
@caminka - in response above -includes the accommodation you're after and is very Current -
'Accommodation podiensis'

The list is also in the resources section of this forum.
I will be starting Le Puy on 3 sept with a friend from Oz
Buen Camino

Fabulous thanks OzAnnie. I'll check it out.

You and your friend will be 6 weeks ahead of me out of Le Puy so I'll watch for any posts you add to this forum.

I see you've also walked from Irun - after catch a train up from Barcelona - del Norte is my plan for next year, including flying into Barcelona & the train to Irun. Any advice would be most welcome.

Buen Camino

 

[Deleted member 3000]

An older, but very comprehensive list:

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/le-puy-accommodation-hope-this-is-of-use.12559/

 

[Black sheep wandering]

An older, but very comprehensive list:

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/le-puy-accommodation-hope-this-is-of-use.12559/

Thanks! Looks good. And a great start point.
With my dietary requirements I will have to gauge the meal situation and decide whether it's easier to do my own cooking rather than taking demi pension. I think it may be too much to ask my hosts to cater to my needs.

 

[OzAnnie]

@Black sheep wandering
I will try to get back to you about this way.
Currently 4 hr delay on my flight to Lyon with Ezyjet out of Berlin. All part of the adventure! I'll have to come back another time to look around Lyon!
We take train to Le Puy in the morning. So excited about this one.
I'll msg you at a later date about the Norte
Bon Chemin
Annie

 

[Black sheep wandering]

@Black sheep wandering
I will try to get back to you about this way.
Currently 4 hr delay on my flight to Lyon with Ezyjet out of Berlin. All part of the adventure! I'll have to come back another time to look around Lyon!
We take train to Le Puy in the morning. So excited about this one.
I'll msg you at a later date about the Norte
Bon Chemin
Annie

Très bien, merci beaucoup Annie. Bon Chemin

 

[smj6]

@ivar, my third night on the Via Podiensis & I just remembered about the accommodation app that you started up a while ago Ivar. So I'm beginning to fill I in. I stop on 2 Oct in a great place in Sauvelade called Le P'tit Laà but I can't find it in the app. How would I go about adding it? I've attached info which I found nailed to a tree (which is how I found the place). Definitely one to be recommended.
Also, would the app support photos or would it become too unwieldy?
Suzanne

 

[Thornley]

@Black sheep wandering
I will try to get back to you about this way.
Currently 4 hr delay on my flight to Lyon with Ezyjet out of Berlin. All part of the adventure! I'll have to come back another time to look around Lyon!
We take train to Le Puy in the morning. So excited about this one.
I'll msg you at a later date about the Norte
Bon Chemin
Annie

Should be finished by now Annie, give us the good mail

 

[OzAnnie]

Hi Thornley -
It's been a long while !
I arrived Sjpdp Mon 3 Oct. always end up with feet 'in the wars' so stopping at that for present. Trying to sort out 2 painful corns between last right toe and little toe. They've really stopped me. I gathered an extra day after Conques as at that point my knee was giving me grief and heat then and the climb out : made my mind up- travelled to Figeac by the Mal Postale tspt.
Once at Sjpdp Stayed 2 nights , and last night Bayonne -am going to San Sebastián for 2 nights while I decide what next .

Regarding the accommodation on the le Puy to Sjpdp. Found best to just have the Michelin guide and the Miam Miam dodo.
Found we decided how far we wanted to go and searched both guides for places within the kilometres spacing.
I'll look into actuals when I get home for more details though

If I sort out the corns , I want to walk the ingles at least and get to SDC. I have plenty of time as I don't fly out of Madrid until nov8. I retired in July
Annie

 

[Thornley]

Hi Thornley -
It's been a long while !
I arrived Sjpdp Mon 3 Oct. always end up with feet 'in the wars' so stopping at that for present. Trying to sort out 2 painful corns between last right toe and little toe. They've really stopped me. I gathered an extra day after Conques as at that point my knee was giving me grief and heat then and the climb out : made my mind up- travelled to Figeac by the Mal Postale tspt.
Once at Sjpdp Stayed 2 nights , and last night Bayonne -am going to San Sebastián for 2 nights while I decide what next .

Regarding the accommodation on the le Puy to Sjpdp. Found best to just have the Michelin guide and the Miam Miam dodo.
Found we decided how far we wanted to go and searched both guides for places within the kilometres spacing.
I'll look into actuals when I get home for more details though

If I sort out the corns , I want to walk the ingles at least and get to SDC. I have plenty of time as I don't fly out of Madrid until nov8. I retired in July
Annie

Well done mate,
The climb out of Conques is the only time HRH was worried on all our camino's.
It was raining in May 2010 and was extremely dangerous that climb amongst the trees and Decazeville was a let down .
Will fly into Geneva [Qatar] train to Lyon for a few nights [3] . We missed this city last time and as this looks like the Swan Song for the 65 we had better enjoy in the Ex capital.
Two years ago we walked from Moissac [again] to Burgos before a wedding in San Sebastian so this time will walk as far as Cahor [ we have places we love near Bach / Concots ] and then head home after two weeks around Girona , flying ex Barcelona.
Should have missed winter by then
Intend just MMDD Annie and hope to stay in different towns /villages than 2010. Our distances are now not one yard past 20km and HRH uses Claudines etc thus allowing me to unload a bit into her bag.
If the weather is kind in Galacia walk to Muxia and once there after Bella Muxia stay in Bar Lorena for one night , you will not regret it
and get the bag carried, you should relax Annie in these retired years
We are not departing until June so will keep in touch.
I hope the word Piscine appears early in the current MMDD as that was the prerequisite in July 2015 from Moissac.

Keep well and safe trip home.
David

 

[OzAnnie]

I hope the word Piscine appears early in the current MMDD as that was the prerequisite in July 2015 from Moissac.

/QUOTE]
David
Quick response to the mention of swimming pools

There were two good swimming pools
One Chambre d'hote. I think.
A short way off the Chemin tho but the garden and setting was so relaxing - it was at Louvigny -Ferme La Houn de Lacoste-06 80426894
Address. 1 route d'orthez. 64410 Louvigny-
Run by Jean Michel / excellent evening meal.
Breakfast didn't hit the excellence mark of the prev night but pretty much the usual bread jam and coffee

Then an great night entertainment in Basque region day before Sjpdp. Ostabat 800m after village. It was a gite tho -not sure if they had private rooms but great spot outdoors . Food very good. /verandahs etc to lounge on and had a heated pool with Perspex type modern type sectioned cover . They rolled it away so that you could use it. Gite name is: gite D'etape Izarrak,
Ferme Gaineko Etxec 05 59378110

Annie

 

[Regine]

hello!

my contribution to accommodation lists on via podiensis. also where to sleep between SJPP and irun.
if you have problems viewing the files, try this link: http://caminka.eu.pn/downloads.html.

file podiensis updated 4. 4. 2016.

caminka

Thanks a lot for sharing this list! I plan to walk this route in April 2017.
Regine

 

[pilgrim82]

Just heard today the the Halte Pelerine in Lecture has closed and Véronique is moving to live with her sons 700km away. She is selling of the contents of the gite, so I guess it has been sold as a house and will not re-open as a gite.

 

[caminka]

Thanks a lot for sharing this list! I plan to walk this route in April 2017.
Regine

you're welcome! I will be updating the list with the info I got when walking in july/august this year (facilites, prices, gites closing down, new gites, also some kms corrections), and with the info that pops up in this forum (like pilgrim82 just above). it will be up sometime around new year, I hope.

 

[Regine]

That's great!

 

[caminka]

voila! about two months late, but updated and recalculated - (budget) accommodation on via podiensis.
there are some with question marks, any info if they are still open or not would be appreciated.

 

[Regine]

voila! about two months late, but updated and recalculated - (budget) accommodation on via podiensis.
there are some with question marks, any info if they are still open or not would be appreciated.

I'm most grateful, just what I needed now. I'll start walking in the first week of April.
Do you know if this route is very hard when you don't speak french? I try to learn a little, but still I don't speak french.
Thanks again
/Inger

 

[Black sheep wandering]

I'm most grateful, just what I needed now. I'll start walking in the first week of April.
Do you know if this route is very hard when you don't speak french? I try to learn a little, but still I don't speak french.
Thanks again
/Inger

Hi Inger,
When I walked between Genève and Lectoure in September - November 2016 I found there were many places on the way where little to no English is spoken.
However when I was in Flamarens in mid November I met a pèlerin from the Czech Republic, he spoke no French or English. He'd been on the trail for 3 months (starting in his home town and heading to Santiago) and he seemed to be managing with the language barrier.

 

[Tusler]

Many Thanks Inger, I am heading off to start walking in early May so great timing.

 

[caminka]

[QUOTE="Do you know if this route is very hard when you don't speak french? I try to learn a little, but still I don't speak french.[/QUOTE]

it is very helpful if you can speak at least a little french. non-french speakers have commented on sometimes feeling excluded.

miam miam dodo guide lists which languages the owners of the accommodations are speaking, although I have heard that sometimes speaking is more like 'understanding a little'.

even if your french is limited, everyone will appreciate you trying to speak it. perhaps write down a few basic sentences and learn them? perhaps greeting people in french and then politely explaining (in french) that your french is night to nonexistant and if someone can help you in english? people will view that a lot more warmly that coming straight up and expecting them to understand english.

there are usually english-speaking staff in the tourist offices. I met a german guy who didn't speak any french. every time he arrived in a town/village, the first thing he did was to go to the tourist office and ask for help in securing a bed. for this night and/or for the nights ahead when the route passed through less touristy areas. he never had a problem.

there might be some english-speaking non-french pilgrims, but do not count on there being many.

have a great camino!

 

[Regine]

voila! about two months late, but updated and recalculated - (budget) accommodation on via podiensis.
there are some with question marks, any info if they are still open or not would be appreciated.

Thanks a lot again Caminka
The accomodation list was really a good help. Now I'm back in Sweden after some fantastic weeks on Via Podiensis. Hope to be back some day.

 

[caminka]

I'm glad you enjoyed via podiensis, regine! I loved it. and will probably return one day, too.
I'm always happy if someone finds my lists useful!

 

[Bunny Hudson]

Oh wow this is wonderful. Thanks so much sharing

What a lot of work went into this very helpful information. Thank you so much.

 

[Bunny Hudson]

voila! about two months late, but updated and recalculated - (budget) accommodation on via podiensis.
there are some with question marks, any info if they are still open or not would be appreciated.

 

[Bunny Hudson]

Thank you so much ! Wonderful help.
B

 

[Bunny Hudson]

Thank you so much for your great help.
(Sorry if this message is a duplicate).
B

 

[kristeL]

Thank you SO MUCH for your list & updates Caminka, what a work you've done! It's exactly what I was looking for.
So excited... I'm leaving next week to le Puy, I'll try without the Miam-Miam guide now. ;-)

Buen Camino/Bon Chemin

Kristel

 

[Veronicad1]

At the APOC meeting on Sunday is found that I want to start my Camino in late friend André's hometown. I can visit his home and grave, perhaps meet family and friends too. That would put me near the end of the Le Puy route. I can spend the night in Larceveau at a pilgrim's hostel there then go on to St Jean Pied de Port from there. Now I just have to figure out how to get TO Mauléon. Here's my questions:

Which airport(s) should I consider?
How to get to Mauléon from airport?
Where to stay in Larceveau?
Distance on the Camino from Larceveau to St Jean Pied de Port?

Input greatly appreciated, thank you.

 

[BShea]

Bus 816 goes from the Biarritz airport to Bayonne train station 20 min, 2€
Bus 811 goes from Bayonne train station to Mauleon, 90 min, 2€.
http://transports64.fr/horaires-interurbains?lang=fr

From Mauleon, you could also take the 811 bus to Aroue or the 824 bus to Navarrenx, both are towns along the Le Puy route and either one would be a great starting point.

BTW, the busses don't run on Sundays or holidays.

 

[Veronicad1]

Thank you! I also received a reply with a list of the Pilgrim hostels from Mauléon to SJPP. I am looking forward to going. I know it's going to break my heart when I see my friend's grave; he is the only man I ever granted permission to marry my daughter. He absolutely adored my daughter but she was so young at the time. She cut her teeth on his heart and he never married. He was my buddy, my partner in crime, sometimes my confessor and I his. I want to go there and take a rock from Mauléon to Cruz de Ferro for him.

 

[kaixo]

Hello @Veronicad1. Your story touched my heart.
Prayers and peace on your camino.

 

[Leigh Lorayne]

Hilyn, the list above is of places from my 2009 walk, I walked again with my husband in 2012 and have an updated list. I tried to load it, but it would not let me, happy to email it to anyone though if you send me your address. Regards, Gitti

I am hoping to walk Le Puy route next year. 2019. I would very much appreciate it if you could send me your list? My email is joylor4@mymts.net. Thanks so much

 

[Paul Nezter]

I want to share my positive experiences in gîtes between Moissac and SJPP in 2017.

- Moissac : Ultreia, Irish couple chatty and helpfull, delicious meals.
- Espalais: Par'chemin, There was a nice german innkeeper, beaufiful house in the landscape close the village, charm dinner.
- Castet Arrouy: Chez Nat, Nathalie a calm former pilgrim, a quiet village.
- Condom: Relais St. Jacques, Two nice brothers in the center of village,
- Eauze: Lou Paralhou, it is more a "Chambre d'hotes" than gîte but they are a nice and helpful couple, former pilgrims, in the the old town of Eauze
- Nogaro: Au pied leve, The owner is a pleasant farmer although the gite is in the village.
- Aire-sur-l'Adour: La maison des pelerins, one friendly french & spanish couple, former pilgrims,. Cheerful gîte. Nice and delicious shared dinner.
- Arzaq: Gîte comunal, helpfull with nice innkeeper.
- Navarrenx: L'Alchimiste, donativo with shared dinner, nice place in the old town
- Aroue: Ferme Bohoteguia, Nice place in basque country and warm innkeeper

 

[Debora]

A tip that I found helpful when I was walking from Le Puy, was to go into the Tourist Office and ask them to book for the next day. They always had a copy of Miam Miam Dodo there, and after selecting the preferred desitination the person at the desk rang through to book for me. These people at the tourist offices were wonderfully helpful about all kinds of things, including accomodation. Janet

But is there a tourist office in every town when walking the Le Puy??

 

[Thornley]

But is there a tourist office in every town when walking the Le Puy??

Only in larger towns .
We have been on the 65 four times now and have approached it various ways. The weather plays a big part Derora , take it easy for the first section to Conques , the longer the better.
You will love it and the Gite owners are very helpful as well as he tourist offices.

 

[inmari]

Third instalment of great places to stay.
Gite Dubarry near Micoulas. Amazing barn conversion with stained glass windows set into stone, handcarved by owner. Exquisite.
Air sur L'Adour. Hospitalet ST Jacques. Run by former pilgrim couple. Self cater or great restaurant near by. Lovely house in village. Amzing welcome.
Bestide: Ferme de Marson. A farm producing foie gras and other things. Lovely garden setting, pool. Delicious stews, soups, pates, wine available from their shop for self catering.
Cambarrat: Near Arganon. Gite Prive, belongs to a stylist and her husband. Fantastic restored farmhouse using locally sourced materials including colourful basque fabrics. Option to stay in little wagons, roulottes, with handcrafted and colourful artistic interiors. Delicious food.
Ostabat: About 1 km beyond Ostabat is a new purpose built gite with nice rooms, balconies, ensuites and a hilarious singing basque host. Well worth the experience, forgot name of gite, sorry.
All of the above gites were really clean and free of bedbugs!

I really enjoyed my stay in June 2013! at Ferme Gaineko-Extea just after Ostabat-Asme, both the place, the food and the host Bernard and his song!

 

[Fromista]

Are there any donativo places in France along the Le Puy en-Veto St-Jean-Pied-de-Port Route in France? Is it possible to camp (sleep in a tent) in France? I know that legally it is not allowed, but how is it in reality?

 

[Jun Meng]

Hi Susiew I walked the Le Puy route again with my husband in 2012 and have got a list of accommodations/ reviews from then, happy to email them to you if you sen me your email address, cheers, Gitti

Hi Gitti. I am going to start to walk Le Puy on 22nd Sep. Would you send me a list via email: mengjunbeijing@gmail.com. Thanks!

 

[Fromista]

Hi Can I have the list please as well? I am planning to walk it in 2020.

 

[Vagabonder]

There’s a wonderful donativo in Éstaing, Hospitalité Saint Jacques. We loved it. (no English spoken).
There is lots of camping in France, check it out on gronze.com.

 

[Florida Bill]

Third instalment of great places to stay.
Gite Dubarry near Micoulas. Amazing barn conversion with stained glass windows set into stone, handcarved by owner. Exquisite.
Air sur L'Adour. Hospitalet ST Jacques. Run by former pilgrim couple. Self cater or great restaurant near by. Lovely house in village. Amzing welcome.
Bestide: Ferme de Marson. A farm producing foie gras and other things. Lovely garden setting, pool. Delicious stews, soups, pates, wine available from their shop for self catering.
Cambarrat: Near Arganon. Gite Prive, belongs to a stylist and her husband. Fantastic restored farmhouse using locally sourced materials including colourful basque fabrics. Option to stay in little wagons, roulottes, with handcrafted and colourful artistic interiors. Delicious food.
Ostabat: About 1 km beyond Ostabat is a new purpose built gite with nice rooms, balconies, ensuites and a hilarious singing basque host. Well worth the experience, forgot name of gite, sorry.
All of the above gites were really clean and free of bedbugs!

For the places you stayed what percentage of the hosts spoke English?

 

[gittiharre]

For the places you stayed what percentage of the hosts spoke English?

I am not sure...some, just a few words. I speak a bit of French, so did not try to speak English...one gets by fine though as pilgrim needs are pretty universal.
Also my list is no longer that applicable. A lot will have changed since then, especially since covid.

 

[Thornley]

For the places you stayed what percentage of the hosts spoke English?

Will be the last of your worries mate.
They are kind and will assist in all ways on your journey.
A fraction harder in my opinion then the Frances but our choice for scenery outside of maybe the Primitivo.
have a great GR

 

[Florida Bill]

Will be the last of your worries mate.
They are kind and will assist in all ways on your journey.
A fraction harder in my opinion then the Frances but our choice for scenery outside of maybe the Primitivo.
have a great GR

 

[Florida Bill]

You’ve been so kind with information. Thank you and hope you have many more wonderful caminos.

 

[gittiharre]

For the places you stayed what percentage of the hosts spoke English?

It's my favourite pilgrim walk along with Primitivo.
Walked Le Puy x 3.
Make sure you stay at Ferme du Barry and Le Cri de la Giraffe in Navarrenx.
And my all time favourite Gite Gua in Figeac and L'Oree du Chemin in Golinhac

 

[BlackRocker57]

for everyone new to this forum and this page, there us a very comprehensive «super» spreadsheet of available accommodations on the Le Puy route posted last year by @Dave Whitson, author of the new Cicerone guide to the GR65 Via Podiensis. It is worth a look if you are thinking of walking this Way ... maintained and updated on a [almost] daily basis ...