Visit Le Puy-en-Velay

Le Puy-en-Velay is a jewel at the heart of the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region. It is the European capital on the Way of St James. Here you can see a list of all the major sites, so you can get the most out of your stay in Velay and explore our town's exceptional heritage.

Le Puy-en-Velay is a town of Art and History. The Regional Art and History department in Le Puy-en-Velay helps to raise awareness of these cultural treasures among local inhabitants, young people and visitors. All the year round, the department organises an introduction to the cultural heritage in 73 areas through visits and talks, activities adapted to a range of different audiences, exhibitions and publications.

1

Visit Notre-Dame Cathedral

On the site of a first church built in the 5th century, the Cathedral was erected on Mont Anis. In the 12th century, the flood of pilgrims led to four bays being added above a vaulted porch to counteract the slope of Mont Anis. Worshippers climbed steps to the entrance in the middle of the central nave.

In the 19th century, the building was greatly modified, but the six cupolas and the outstanding painting work were preserved. From 1994 to 1999, restoration work led to the reopening of the central stairs, which had been closed since the 18th century. Renovations were also carried out on interior decoration and on the double-sided casing of the 17th century organ.

A new altar was set up at the intersection of the transept. The “Black Virgin” replaced an older statue, which had been burnt during the French Revolution. It stands on the “pilgrims” altar, set against the wall.

Our tip: go to the back of the cathedral to see the impressive penitents’ chapel. Leave the Cathedral at Place du For to enjoy a 180° view over the town, with its brick roofs and mullion windows.

More information on the Cathedral

2

The Statue of Our Lady of France

With your head in the stars… Just a few minutes’ walk from the town centre, the monumental statue of Our Lady of France is an incredible technical feat. It was made in 1860 using metal from 213 cannons captured from the Russians during the Crimean War and donated by Napoleon III.

The statue was designed by J.M Bonnassieux. It is 22.7 metres high and weighs 835 metric tons. The site is extraordinary: the Corneille rock, an old citadel and the highest point in the Ponot Basin, provides a unique view of the Cathedral, the town and the region with its blue horizons.

It is easy to walk up to the monument, with information panels and an orientation table on the way.

More information on the Statue of Our Lady of France

3

Climb the Saint-Michel d’Aiguilhe Rock

The Puy-en-Velay basin contains basalt rocks, including the most spectacular of them, Saint-Michel d’Aiguilhe (St Michael of the Needle). These “volcanic plugs” are the result of magma flowing upwards from volcanoes, like at Saint-Michel, and which were formed under the water of the lake some 2.2 million years ago.

The Saint-Michel d’Aiguilhe Rock is one of the most remarkable and surprising volcanic sites in France. The rock is 82 metres high, and the Saint-Michel d’Aiguilhe Chapel is an exceptional piece of architecture.

The chapel was built in the year 961. This remarkable technical and human achievement was begun by Bishop Gothescalk, who decided to erect the chapel after returning from a pilgrimage on the Way of St James. During restoration work on the altar in 1955, the chapel treasure was discovered, consisting of relics dating from the building’s construction. Some remarkable murals have also been restored.

More information about the Rock

Our tip: the Monuments Pass!

Each year from april to november, you can benefit of the  Monuments Pass wich is a combined ticket giving visitors admission to several higlights monuments with similar features at a discount price.
You can buy it on https://boutique.envelay.com/ or at the tourism office or at the monuments entrance

4

Visit the cloister and the treasures of the Cathedral

The cloister was built in the 11th and 12th centuries and is one of the finest works of Romanesque architecture in Europe.

The semi-circular arcades are crowned by a mosaic of white, red and black diamond shapes. The chapter room is decorated with a mural of the Crucifixion.

The cloister also has a remarkable series of illustrated chapters dating from the 12th century, showing the four Evangelists, a centaur race, and an abbot and an abbess fighting over a crozier. In the Cathedral’s treasure there is an outstanding collection of liturgical ornaments and devotional pictures that were embroidered between the 15th and the 20th century, and collected over a period of more than thirty years.

More information about the cloister

5

The Way of St James,
the prelude in Le Puy-en-Velay (PR673)

As a prologue for hikers setting off to Conques and Santiago de Compostella, this short urban trail (PR) follows Rue St Jacques, taking the same route as hikers beginning the GR65 towards Saint-Privat d’Allier.

The 6.8 km trail leaves from the Tourist Office and is accessible to all. It features some rich heritage, the upper town, the museums in the Hôtel-Dieu and the Camino, the banks of the River Borne, the superb Henri Vinay Garden and the town centre shops. Ideal for a stroll and a visit to see Le Puy-en-Velay differently!

See the detailed prelude leaflet

6

Little sightseeing train

Visit Le Puy-en-Velay on the little sightseeing train!

The Puy-en-Velay Sightseeing Train was opened in 1987. Its aim is to promote the region and to give visitors an original introduction to an exceptional area, where mankind and nature are in perfect harmony. The train is a chance to see numerous outstanding sites: the Saint-Michel d’Aiguilhe chapel, the Cathedral with the 12th century cloister and the Hôtel Dieu (listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites as part of the Way of St James), the Corneille rock and the Statue of Our Lady of France…

In 45 minutes, you will experience a picturesque tour of all the monuments. An original and comfortable visit with a commentary available in several languages. Capacity – 60 places.

More information on the little sightseeing train

 

7

Hotel des Lumières

Experience unique immersive scenographies in a magical place.

Welcome to the Hôtel des Lumières, the digital art centre of the Hôtel-Dieu Cathedral complex.

After hosting major exhibitions in partnership with the Louvre in particular, the Hôtel-Dieu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the Cathedral (as part of the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela), is now partly transformed into a digital art centre. The two large exhibition rooms offer two immersive shows, one that takes you to the heart of the Earth and the second that invites you to follow the lights of the Impressionists with the greatest painters of this movement.

Unique in France, Compostela – the chapel in lights will take visitors into a new scenography. Animated murals take us on a celestial journey. The ribbed crossings and the vaults are animated and offer unprecedented perspectives of light.

The Hôtel des Lumières unveils 3 immersive scenographies thanks to the latest projection technologies and sound design.

 

More information on the Hotel des lumieres

8

Departmental Hotel building

The Haute-Loire Departmental Hotel combines history and modernism. It has been renovated by the architect, Jean-Michel Wilmotte, and is now a unique site for events, congresses, seminars and exhibitions. On the ground floor, the sessions room has an exceptional view over the Saint-Michel d’Aiguilhe Rock. The exhibition gallery is open all the year round and gives visitors the chance to see high-quality works by local artists.

The inner courtyard is not to be missed. This is where the Saint-Alexis Chapel is located, a major part of the Puy de Lumières sound and light show.

9

Bobbin Lace Learning Centre

The Bobbin Lace Learning Centre was set up in 1974 with two main tasks: to maintain the tradition and practice of lace-making through teaching and to preserve the lace-making heritage. Over the years, the Centre has acquired an international reputation. Its correspondence courses are followed all over the world, making it a reference in lace-making skills. The exhibition rooms host themed exhibitions each year.

The National Lace Conservatory Workshop is administered by the French Mobilier National agency, under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture. Its mission is to preserve the techniques of bobbin lace: drafting, finishing and mounting. Lace-makers are keeping alive traditional skills by creating unique, high-quality works based on drawings by contemporary international artists. The pieces are shown to the public at exhibitions in France and abroad.

More information on the Lace Centre

 

10

The Camino

Follow the pathway to the stars and see the stages leading all the way to Santiago de Compostella. In a very modern staging, visitors are immediately immersed in the Way of St James. From its appearance in the Middle Ages to its contemporary forms, all aspects of the “Camino” are on display. This is an invitation to share an experience, a place to welcome and advise visitors, and a chance to meet fellow hikers. It is also one of the cultural sites not to be missed in Le Puy-en-Velay.

The pilgrims’ cafe and the wonderful garden are a relaxing spot close by the Cathedral.

More about the Camino

11

Sanctuary of St Joseph of Good Hope

Near Le Puy-en-Velay, at the heart of the Borne valley, the Saint Joseph of Good Hope Basilica in Espaly, which was completed in 1918, stands on the site of an older castle chapel. The monumental statue is 22.4 metres high and seems to echo Our Lady of France, on the Corneille rock in Le Puy-en-Velay.

The statue was designed by Brother André Besqueut and is made of reinforced concrete. The work was approved by Pope Pius X. The inauguration and benediction took place on 11 April 1910. During your visit, you will see how the chapel seems to nestle in the rock. Around the sanctuary, a few narrow, picturesque streets mark out the old Espaly.

More information about the St Joseph sanctuary

Le Puy-en-Velay, a sanctuary

A sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin Mary was built in Le Puy-en-Velay in the very early Middle Ages. It soon gained a national and European reputation. It stands at the starting point of the Way of St James, and since the 10th century a visit to the venerable and mysterious statue of the Black Virgin has been a key part of the experience.

The Assumption of the Virgin Mary, on 15 August, is celebrated by carrying the statue of the Black Virgin in a procession through the streets of the town.

 

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