Le Puy en Velay, again, and to Concis

It seems odd, yet this was our third time here. In Fall 2023 we arrived to bgin the Chemin de St Jacques. It was hot. The Chemin was crowded. So we left to spend a week in the Dordogne. We came back, but just for the night. Now here we were to commence La Régordane. While we didn’t need a full day in Le Puy it’s a good thing we had it. Charlie had come down with a cold in Paris and needed a recovery day.

I explored and found a wonderful park.

Ancient Roman gate jazzed up with modern stained glass. I love the placement with trees behind the glass.

We attended the Pilgrim Mass the morning of the 14th – yesterday.

It was a bit of walking on pavement leaving Le Puy which then morphed into Le Puy en Vals before leaving city behind for a long, I mean looooong, uphill climb. Most of the day was uphill until a long, rocky decent.

We walked through pine forest, paths lined with a glorious assortment of wild flowers, and fields of rapeseed.

So many buttercups! And I’ve never seen so many dandelions, though I didn’t take a photo.

Field of rapeseed – a new crop for the area, under a threatening sky. Fortunately, the thunder and lightning didn’t produce rain – for which we were especially thankful today as we walked on trails that would have been a muddy nightmare.

“The storm came on like a buzz saw cutting a home and a tree in half.” Quothe Ed
Photo by Paula

Our lodging for the night was in an apartment in an old stone barn. Dinner in the home with another couple from Orleans staying there – not hikers. Had a dinner of local food, sausage and paté from Viviane ‘s brother, salad from her garden, Le Puy green lentils, local cheeses, flan. A feast, in other words. Best sausage ever! Also a really strong mustard that puts Grey Poupon to shame. Gotta have it!

Slept well. Those old stone barns converted into living spaces retain heat well. As opposed to tonight’s room which is cold!

luanaduggan May 15, 2025 / 11:43 am

Love the pictures and the account. Keep them coming so I may travel vicariously!
Sent from my iPad

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- pgsteele4 May 15, 2025 / 12:55 pm
  
  D’accord !
  
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Pamela May 15, 2025 / 4:14 pm

Absolutely beautiful!! I want to be there!

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- pgsteele4 May 16, 2025 / 8:45 am
  
  It’s really different from the Chemin de St Jacques! The large pastures and meadows are very calming.
  
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Judy Lochrie May 15, 2025 / 5:41 pm

Your photos and comments really give a great summary of your day! I loved seeing the packs against the church wall. Imagining all of you preparing for the hike spiritually. Ed’s quote about that house and tree split by a storm is priceless. I looked at the photo a long time. The house and tree are like mirror images of each other. There must be some fierce one-way winds.

Hope you find some of that mustard to bring home. I’d love to get a taste!

🏓🏓 was Lilly and me today. Barb’s now in Paris! We missed both of you. 💖

Hugs, Judy

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- pgsteele4 May 16, 2025 / 8:48 am
  
  Will definitely look for that mustard and bring it home!
  
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Catherine Nevo May 16, 2025 / 7:06 am

Merci pour toutes ces belles photos! et votre écriture donne envie d’y aller. Bonne continuation et bonne santé!

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- pgsteele4 May 16, 2025 / 8:52 am
  
  Cette une belle paysage ! Très calmant. Pas grand collines-so far!
  
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