A Lesser Traveled Camino: Chemin du Puy

[@litespeedin]

I walked the Camino Frances this past spring, was helped along by some of your excellent videos and stumbled upon this one while looking for information about the Le Puy route. I speak very little French, but am planning to learn what I can and give this route a "go" next fall. On the Frances, I walked with a French woman named Valerie who had come from the Le Puy route...she told me, "Every day I thought, this is the most beautiful day, nothing can be more beautiful...and then...tomorrow would be more beautiful than today."

[@klipitar2007]

I am stunned because you show a picture of pilgrims you met along the way: of a friend and his wife from Canada, Québec! Paul-André! I can’t believe this! I went to high school with him!!! ❤

[@NadineWalks]

Yes, Paul-André! I walked the same stages as him and his wife for several days- they were so kind! How incredible and what a small world that you were watching this video, recognized him and knew him from another part of your life. It's a bit of Camino magic!

[@klipitar2007]

@@NadineWalks it sure is! I sent him A print screen of the video and shared the link!

[@wowzieee]

This is the one my sister and I are doing. What s amazing is were 60 and our ancestors are from France, so we are excited just to breath the air and see the building that were a part of their world. Keep inspiring

[@josefo1590]

Enjoy your videos a lot, bring me back to times of pilgrimage. Thank you!!!

[@eisingen]

Thank you, Nadine, for very useful information🙏🏽 Starting from Le Puy August 16th😊💖🎉

[@martinebrisson8880]

Le Puy was my first Camino. Last year I did Conques to Cahors ( the Cele variant) and this year, Cahors all the way to Santiago. Yes, there is a lot less infrastructure on that route and they have weird opening hours, but I love the communal dinner. I missed that on the Frances.

[@zachhoague2307]

I did it in 2013 and it was amazing. The most rain France ever had but it was still very moving! Great scenery. You can camp with a tent too which is what I did cause i didn’t have much money.

[@dgsanchez1000]

Love Chemin du Puy, the most beautiful route. I did it in 2018, and continued to Santiago, and beyond...

[@NadineWalks]

One day I'd love to go back, start in Le Puy and walk all the way to Santiago. What a walk that would be!!

[@francefehr429]

hola ! Bonjour! Hello Nadine. I watched this video yesterday night. With my husband, I walked the Chemin du Puy from le Puy to Roncesvalles in May/June 2019. And because I speak French fluently it was great to connect with all the pilgrims. I think this Chemin is becoming more popular. Many Australians love this Camino. Not too many Americans but after they done the Camino Frances they can be interested to walk there. You are right the first 10 days until Conques are certainly the most challenging but beautiful. I guess you didn't do the variante Cele. We did, it was very nice, quiet too... I like the dinner with the pilgrims. We always chose the DP. Oh yes, the opening of the stores can be a challenge. Better to be ready with something to eat in our bag. Thanks for sharing your passion about the Camino. I hope to get back in 2023. I miss it.

[@NadineWalks]

Yes, the Chemin du Puy is such a wonderful walk! I actually still need to finish it- I've only walked to Moissac (and haven't done the Cele variante), so it's a reason to go back! Knowing some French definitely helps- I know it's very possible to walk without speaking any French, but at times a pilgrim will feel a bit isolated, especially at dinner in the gîtes! But I've also found people in the villages/towns AND the pilgrims so friendly on this route!

[@francefehr429]

@@NadineWalks My husband does not speak French. it was not as much fun for him when everybody were only speaking French around the table but he still enjoyed our adventure very much ..so much that we plan to -finally- go back -in 2023 but not in France this time. You will see that after Moissac, the trail is so much easier ( more flat- not busy) and I really loved the Gers ( they say it is a bit like Tuscany). If you need any recommendations for the gites, ask me. The Cele is very quiet and beautiful too. I read you document about coming back after the Camino. Well done! You covered very well the topic. My way to avoid the Camino Blues was to write and now I am still immerse in my story -preparing the book in French. i even went back to my photos from 2015 when we were in Spain ( will be sharing a few videos on my KZbin channel). We have been watching a few of your KZbin videos too.. LOL you are part of my life now..I almost feel that I know you! Voilà, c'est tout ! :-)

[@GideonSmit]

Ahhhh, such a wonderful route to be reminded of! We had the best of times.

[@NadineWalks]

Looking at my photos and (few) videos makes me want to go back and do it all over again! My fingers are crossed that I'll find myself back in France again this summer, but maybe on a different Chemin this time... stay tuned!

[@robertolejar3356]

Always great to see you making Camino videos. Keep it up!

[@1adamuk]

Great videos, solid information. I've done the Frances and Via de la Plata, planning Chemin du Puy then transition to Norte and your videos are really helpful.

[@NadineWalks]

The Chemin du Puy and Norte would be an AMAZING combo! I really want to do the Via de la Plata, but work gets in the way of that one (I only have summers free- which is wonderful- but too hot for a route like the Via de la Plata). I'm glad you're enjoying the videos!

[@tonyb4982]

Thanks Nadine we have watched all your other videos and have booked to start Le Puy camino in June.

[@NadineWalks]

You're going to have such a wonderful time! June will be beautiful.

[@oldsambo]

Most Beautiful village is a designation that villages can apply for if they meet certain criteria. The camino from Geneva to Le Puy is well worth doing.

[@genevievelariviere84]

I'm beginning my journey of planning/dreaming about doing a first camino and the Chemin du Puy seems more and more the route I want to make. I'm from Quebec, Canada so my first language is French and we can have cheaper flight to France from here than for Spain or Portugal. I would have max 10-15 days so I was thinking of doing Le Puy - Conques or to Cahors if I have the time. Still hesitating from le Chemin du Puy or the Camino Portugues. I wish I had a month in front of me ! ;) I'm a flower farmer so that's kinda hard to find a long strech of time that is not in winter... Probably would be end of october to beginning of november. Thank again for your videos, they help a lot for planning and dreaming too!

[@PJ_Hawke]

Very well done. Thank you

[@NadineWalks]

Thanks John, it's been fun to revisit the photos and memories of this walk!

[@Thisisenroute]

Bonjour Nadine, I'm French, living in the US. You just made me want to walk that chemin very badly! 😀 My family and I walked 2/3rd of the Camino de Santiago in 2017-2018. We're desperately trying to find the time to complete it. It's complicated with 2 girls in high school... I'm going to read your blog.

[@NadineWalks]

Yes, finding the time to do a big trip- especially with so much family life to consider- is difficult! But I hope you will find the time to return (the nice thing is, the Camino/Chemin will be there, waiting for you)

[@noneyerbusiness203]

Thanks so much!

[@NadineWalks]

You're welcome! :)

[@BrunoG03-Vichy]

Did you carry your entire load or shuttle some of it? I will head there next year and might only be able to make it or at Conques , Figeac or Cahors . Thank you for the information and your insightful and great videos .

[@NadineWalks]

I didn’t, though I did have La Malle Postale store a bag (of stuff for post Camino) and then ship it to me when I finished my walk, and I know lots of people use their services! Ending in either Conques, Figeac or Cahors would work well, they’ll all well connected to transport and you’re hitting the most beautiful part of the route!

[@natalie.natalie.natalie]

Thank you Nadine. I would like to start from Geneva. Have you got experience with this route? Great videos🤩

[@NadineWalks]

I haven't walked from Geneva, but I met a few pilgrims who had, and from what I remember they had good experiences. I'm sorry I can't offer more advice or information, but I think that if I were to ever walk Le Puy again, I might also start from Geneva...

[@Andy-Mesa]

I was planning on this being my next walk (have done the Portugues, Primitivo, and Norte) but now I'm not so sure. I don't speak French (I do speak Spanish) and 30-50€/day is way more than I'm used to spending.

[@andyledger2307]

I’m new to your channel, so forgive me if you’ve covered this, but have you ever walked the Pilgrims’ Way in SE England, from either Winchester or Southwark to Canterbury? Not as epic as a Camino, but rich in history.

[@NadineWalks]

Hi Andy, and no, I haven't walked the Pilgrim's Way in England! Sounds like another one to add to my list... I HAVE walked both Hadrian's Wall and the Pennine Way, and loved them both so much. Ahh, so many routes, so little time!

[@santiago-martin]

Your videos are great, I hope to walk the Camino in about 4 months and am getting my gear for it. What camera do you shoot your video with the quality is really good?

[@NadineWalks]

I've been taking video with my iPhone... until a couple months ago I had an iPhone 6s (which was about 5 years old, I think!), but it worked well enough. I think the video quality on my new phone is going to be a bit better!

[@santiago-martin]

@@NadineWalks Thanks for the information, I thought you might be using a GoPro. Surprisingly good video from a phone. Congratulations on your many walks, I hope you have many more to come. Have fun and be safe.

[@ThePhantomMajor]

French is no problem to me as I spent a year at Uni in Normandy.

[@NadineWalks]

I think the language was probably the most challenging aspect of this walk! So you've got that part covered :)

[@anthonyrebock5351]

SEVEN OR EIGHT... that's Alot o Kill- a -me- tersz

[@gfree8037]

I hope I can be honest, I HATE videos that are just TALK About something ... SHOW ME THE PLACE, SHOW ME THE EXPERIENCE!

[@jonaswahlman8722]

lots of talk, too much personal experiance related issue rather than facts!

[@NadineWalks]

Luckily there are so many great Camino resources out there; I'm sure there's some good free stuff, but investing in a guidebook is sometimes a good option when you're looking for comprehensive facts and info. Good luck in your search!

[@antje8303]

As much as I like to watch videos like these, you do know that you are contributing to it being more frequented... :(

[@NadineWalks]

I know Antje, I've thought about this quite a bit. It means a lot to me that I can help share information and my experience on these routes that aren't as widely talked about. I think that I would reconsider how I share about these lesser traveled routes if my reach ever grew much bigger, but for now I think I'm helping other pilgrims more than I'm hurting the quiet nature of these paths. At least, I hope so!