Seeking advice from pilgrims

[Rossco]

I am leaving from Le Puy to SJPDPin late September and have some questions for pilgrims who have walked this route at that time can hopefully answer. These questions have probably been asked before.
Is it crowded at this time of the year?
Do I need to phone ahead to reserve to reserve a room at a gite?
Is it cold and does it rain much in September/October?
Do some of the gites have kitchens for pilgrims to cook meals like the Albergues on the Camino Frances?
Thanks for any information from experiences Le Puy Route pilgrims.

 

[Kitsambler]

Is it crowded at this time of the year?

No, but there should be a few others walking with you every day.

Do I need to phone ahead to reserve to reserve a room at a gite?

At that time of year, you are calling ahead for one of two reasons: (1) to make sure Madame & Monsieur are in fact going to be there, especially in October during the two week school holiday when things start to close; and (2) to ensure your name is in the pot for the demi-pension meal. The French, ever polite, always call at least a day ahead. You want to be thought of as polite, don't you?

Is it cold and does it rain much in September/October?

It's fall, and the first two weeks are at 1000 m elevation. Plan for there to be a couple rainy days each week. You might possibly be surprised with sunshine, however.

Do some of the gites have kitchens for pilgrims to cook meals like the Albergues on the Camino Frances?

Some do; these are listed in Miam Miam Dodo. But think about this carefully. Do you really want to give up French home cooking? It's one of the major joys of the Le Puy route.

 

[Rossco]

No, but there should be a few others walking with you every day.
At that time of year, you are calling ahead for one of two reasons: (1) to make sure Madame & Monsieur are in fact going to be there, especially in October during the two week school holiday when things start to close; and (2) to ensure your name is in the pot for the demi-pension meal. The French, ever polite, always call at least a day ahead. You want to be thought of as polite, don't you?
It's fall, and the first two weeks are at 1000 m elevation. Plan for there to be a couple rainy days each week. You might possibly be surprised with sunshine, however.
Some do; these are listed in Miam Miam Dodo. But think about this carefully. Do you really want to give up French home cooking? It's one of the major joys of the Le Puy route.

Thanks Kitsambler. What was I thinking? Why cook myself when I can enjoy that French home cooking?

 

[Sara_Dhooma]

Thanks Kitsambler. What was I thinking? Why cook myself when I can enjoy that French home cooking?

However, when staying at a gite without a demi-pension option - it is also very special to pick up fresh ingredients, and cook a communal pilgrim meal together.

Some gites had excellent kitchens along the way.

 

[kelleymac]

I went alone, and then at Le Puy met up with a group from Quebec and walked with them on and off for the 12 days I walked. There were other pilgrims walking, but on the alternate route to the Abbey Bonneval, I walked alone for two days. I saw no other pilgrims.

Much as I love the french cooking, I had to watch my budget, and was glad to have a chance to cook for myself and with others.

I did not always call ahead to reserve, as I was only one person, and ready to cook for myself (or just eat bread and cheese and fruit for dinner). I did call ahead when I knew where I was staying.

I was impressed with the campground at Saugues (its on the far side of the village). There are a few little wagons with beds for rent. There are also tent sites, washing machines and dryers, clothes line and warm showers. I met up with some friends there who were car camping in early October, and there was only one other family there.

I walked the alternate Bonneval Route, and stayed in Condom d'Aubrac at the village community center. I had to call ahead to the village office. I stayed there overnight-- there was a kitchen, but I hadn't known about it and had no food to cook. The woman in the village office (mayor?) opened the community center for me, and also contacted the cafe owners who opened the cafe up and made me dinner, breakfast the next morning, and a picnic lunch. I slept on a gym mat in a small room. There were no showers, but there was hot water to wash in. I left a 10 Euro note with the key in a drop-off box the next morning. I wish I could have donated more. (Of course, the cafe charge was separate.)

I had also called ahead to the Abbey Bonnevale. -- Beware of chestnuts on the path while you are walking in the wet Fall! They are treacherously slippery. They lie there in wait by the thousands. I had to walk VERY slowly the last two km to the Abbey, and still fell three times pretty hard.

I also recommend staying at http://www.hospitalite-saint-jacques.fr in Estaing.

There were days of sunshine, and also days of rain and mist and rainbows.


Kate