Sidebar: The History of the Le Puy Route

SIDEBAR

Le Puy or Via Podiensis route

Le Puy or Via Podiensis route is one of the four main pilgrimages through France heading towards Santiago, the home of the tomb of St. James.

The Le Puy route was used by pilgrims coming from France, Germany, Austria, Poland, Czech and Slovak republics. It joins with two other French routes from Paris and Vézelay. The fourth route from Arles has its own way over the Pyrenees.

Pilgrims have been traveling to Santiago de Compostela from Le Puy for over a thousand years. Godescalc, Bishop of Le Puy was one of the first pilgrims when he went there in 951 AD.

The pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela was most popular between 1,000 and 1,500 AD, even though numbers have dwindled at times due to political, social and cultural factors there has always been a steady flow of pilgrims.

The Le Puy route stretches from Le Puy-en-Velay to the Pyrenees talking the pilgrim through hilly regions, over rivers and streams, through beautiful countryside and through rustic villages. Eventually joining up with both the routes from Paris and Vézelay. Then meeting the Frances route leading to Santiago.