TuckH

Based on a number of raves here, we made it a point to stop in Le Puy on our drive from Geneva to Provence.

Scenic from a distance, up close we found it to be a sprawling, unappealling, somewhat run-down town. We had a hearty lunch there and, rather than climbing up to the church, we decided to move on.

Maybe we missed something; I don't know...

kerouac

Actually, your description is quite accurate of one's first impression of the lower part of Le Puy. Its charm starts to become apparent only if you do the climbing.

AnselmAdorne

Definitely sprawling:

www.pbase.com/anselmadorne/image/46272968

But I agree with Kerouac. Park and then climb:

www.pbase.com/anselmadorne/image/46273133

Anselm

BTilke

Thanks Tuck, for the info. Not everyone is able to or interested in doing the climb, so it's a good heads up that apparently wasn't mentioned in previous recs.

PalenQ

rather than climbing up to the church, we decided to move on.

Maybe we missed something; I don't know

yes you missed on of Europe's oldest pilgrimmage shrines and the chance to see the Black Madonna or whatever is enshrined there. Plus climbing the top of the pinnacles.

Town not much but the needles the churches are on are awesome as are the pilgrimmage churches themselves.

TuckH

Aside from seeing a church itself on a hilltop, a good part of the reason for making a 'climb' (any climb) is for the enjoyment of the views below. Thus our reasoning...

Pvoyageuse

You also missed a side trip to La Chaise-Dieu Abbaye near Le Puy.

cigalechanta

I thought seeing that statue on the lava rock as we passed through was spectcular. (soaring above the chapel of St Michel d'Aiguihe on its own lave rock)

kerouac

La Chaise-Dieu is indeed worth the side trip.