Questions for Le Puy: Allergies and Blankets

[NadineK]

Hi everyone,

I've walked several Camino routes in Spain, but my two weeks on Le Puy this summer will be my first in France. I'm sure I'll be back here with more questions but for now, here are two:

1) I have a nut allergy (all nuts, peanuts included), and I'm wondering how often nuts are featured in demi-pension dinners? I'm planning to do demi-pension a lot, but I worry about how well (or not) an allergy like this can be accommodated in the gites? (I do speak French- not fluently, but enough to be able to communicate- so I'm prepared to explain the allergy when I call to make reservations).

2) Can I get by with just a sleeping bag liner? I'll be walking the end of June/beginning of July. I tend to run cold, so do most gites have blankets available?

Thank you so much, your expertise is appreciated!!

Nadine

 

[BlackRocker57]

Bonjour Nadine, yours is an interesting question ... I cannot say for sure what the situation is as regards dinners in all gites on the GR65/Via Podiensis ... but I can say with some certainty that you will need to let them know [very clearly] in advance because they may need to prepare a special meal for you [depending on your sensitivity of course] ...

you might want to have the full story in french written out so that you can text or email to them [lest their be misunderstandings or confusion]

I have been making bookings recently for a small group that incl. one person with a food intolerance ... in their replies, most of them have particularly commented on this [saying that they can prepare a meal that takes this intolerance into account].

à propos the sleeping sheet, I cannot imagine that you will be without a blanket in a french gite. And if you find that to be the case ... definitely ask your host/s. Sleeping bag not required in France imho.

bonne chance, bonne continuation ...

 

[Thornley]

so do most gites have blankets available?

No sleeping bag required on GR65
Notify the Gite / Hotel where you are staying the next night and mention your food allergy.
The owner where you are will do this without any problems
I would also finish a fraction earlier than they do in Spain and again when in the farmhouse/gite or hotel discuss the food.
Quality of food cannot be compared with Frances.

 

[Kitsambler]

You may be conversational in French, but the accent along the Le Puy is tricky, because L'ange d'Oc. And if you just say "nuts", it may be interpreted as just one sort that's forbidden. So be repetitive. Je suis en régime spécial. Je ne peux pas manger des noisettes. Je ne peux pas manger de sorte de noix. Pas de noix. Pas de noisettes. Pas d'amandes. Pas de cacahuètes. Pas de noix.

 

[gittiharre]

Hi everyone,

I've walked several Camino routes in Spain, but my two weeks on Le Puy this summer will be my first in France. I'm sure I'll be back here with more questions but for now, here are two:

1) I have a nut allergy (all nuts, peanuts included), and I'm wondering how often nuts are featured in demi-pension dinners? I'm planning to do demi-pension a lot, but I worry about how well (or not) an allergy like this can be accommodated in the gites? (I do speak French- not fluently, but enough to be able to communicate- so I'm prepared to explain the allergy when I call to make reservations).

2) Can I get by with just a sleeping bag liner? I'll be walking the end of June/beginning of July. I tend to run cold, so do most gites have blankets available?

Thank you so much, your expertise is appreciated!!

Nadine

Hi Nadine.
Have walked the Le Puy route twice and don't remember nuts featuring on the menu. Possibly in the odd dessert...but there is always fromage!
I took a silk liner both times and it was perfect.
Blankets everywhere or duvets.
My favourite route Le Puy! Back there this year.

 

[Magnara]

I agree with all the replies so far and would add that because the French are so interested in food, as long as they understand what your issue is, you are very likely to get a careful response to your requirement.

 

[NadineK]

You may be conversational in French, but the accent along the Le Puy is tricky, because L'ange d'Oc. And if you just say "nuts", it may be interpreted as just one sort that's forbidden. So be repetitive. Je suis en régime spécial. Je ne peux pas manger des noisettes. Je ne peux pas manger de sorte de noix. Pas de noix. Pas de noisettes. Pas d'amandes. Pas de cacahuètes. Pas de noix.

Thank you so much for these examples! They are so helpful, and the advice to be repetitive is, as well.

 

[NadineK]

Bonjour Nadine, yours is an interesting question ... I cannot say for sure what the situation is as regards dinners in all gites on the GR65/Via Podiensis ... but I can say with some certainty that you will need to let them know [very clearly] in advance because they may need to prepare a special meal for you [depending on your sensitivity of course] ...

you might want to have the full story in french written out so that you can text or email to them [lest their be misunderstandings or confusion]

I have been making bookings recently for a small group that incl. one person with a food intolerance ... in their replies, most of them have particularly commented on this [saying that they can prepare a meal that takes this intolerance into account].

à propos the sleeping sheet, I cannot imagine that you will be without a blanket in a french gite. And if you find that to be the case ... definitely ask your host/s. Sleeping bag not required in France imho.

bonne chance, bonne continuation ...

Thank you for this advice! I really like the idea of writing out what I need to convey about my allergy, and sending it in an email (especially if/when I make email bookings along the route).

Merci, merci!

 

[Kitsambler]

These cards are available (for several different allergies and in several different languages) and might be useful: http://www.selectwisely.com/catalog/Nut_Allergies to show your server in restaurants.