Photo: Le Puy square, beginning of chemin
March 20, 2014 I had stayed at the Le Puy en Velay youth hostel with hardly anyone else there. On my way out of town I had a coffee and croissant at a bakery. The start of the route is from the downtown square. I looked for the white and red markings of the GR65 and other signs for the chemin. I followed the street up a steep hill out of the city. Soon I was following a dirt track into the country on a windy, sunny day.
The previous day I had bought a copy of the Miam Miam Dodo guidebook at a Le Puy bookshop. I also purchased an SFR phone card for my cell phone. Using the book and my cell phone, I was able to reserve a bed for tonite at a gite a days walk distance away. I was relieved that the manager spoke english.
To be able to stay at the pilgrim albergue's or gite's, a pilgrim passport or credencial is presented to the lodging manager. The lodging manager stamps the credencial with their unique stamp. See below for partial view of my french credencial.
Photo: GR65 sign, just outside of Le Puy
Photo: Chemin in country 5 km from Le Puy
Photo: French village
Photo: Rough trail and White/Red GR65 marker
Map of camino segment
Map of camino trip
