SEPTEMBER 2022 : FRANCE : Lyon - Le Puy-en-Velay

The more we are in Lyon the better we like it. Another good walking city.

Overnight Autumn colours and wintery chill.
Lots of mad cyclists and scooters dashing around on bike paths.

Swimming pool by the river - swimmers doing laps there yesterday. Tempted.

Looking for the perfect cafe for breakfast. Some not open at 8.

Newtree Eco Cafe with French toast and scrumptious juice



We were planning to catch a taxi to the train station but none were available. With the help of maps.me Mark guided us on a hour walk through the north- eastern part of town to the main train station.

We knew we were there because there was an iconic building across the street ..

Why leave home?

Westfield, Dominos, Sofitel…

Just one change at the small town of Etienne on our Lyon - Le Puy train trip.

Two carriage modern train through the Loire Valley. Two hours.

Le Puy-en-Velay. Home to green Le Puy lentils. 12th century cathedral, which is the setting off point for the French Chemin to Santiago. More latterly since 1878, the beginning of the Robert Louis Stevenson Trail through the Cevenne.



Beautiful heart with 3 story buildings and muted coloured shutters. Some dating back to the 1600s.

Maison de Thé was where we stayed last time in 2012.

We have organised this walk with a British company, Mac Adventures - accommodation, meals, baggage transfer and maps, GPS support.

Our first hotel is on the GR70 route, so when we set off tomorrow we are already on track.

(Very excited to have an English speaking channel on TV - first one in a month! What have we missed? So much weather!)

We first learnt of this walk by friends who enjoyed it. We loved the area last time, although this time we head directly south rather than to the west. Our interest was also sparked when we saw the French comedy - Antoinette dans les Cevennes - we hope our journey won’t be as fraught!

Dinner included 

Rabbit paté, warm chevre (goats cheese) salad, fish, veal, apple tart, chocolate mousse

M&M