Le Puy, formally called Le Puy-en-Velay, is situated in the southern-central region of France. Though a small and quaint countryside town, it has rich history and customs. Here are a compilation of some fun facts!
- The population of Le Puy is approximately 21,000 people.
- Inhabitants of Le Puy are referred to as “Ponots.”
- Le Puy attracts around 700,000 visitors a year despite its hard-to-reach, hilly location.
- Le Puy was visited twice by Emperor Charlemagne.
- Le Puy has a long pilgrimage history. In the Middle Ages, many people embarked on the Camino de Santiago (“The Way of Saint James”) which was a pilgrimage to the shrine of apostle Saint James in Spain at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Le Puy became one of the most popular departure points in France for the first French pilgrimage to the cathedral.
- Built in the early 12th century, Cathedrale Notre Dame du Puy-en- Velay, (which we will visit!) was a place where pilgrims would get blessed each morning and ask for protection from the Virgin Mary before their departure to Santiago de Compostela.
- Le Puy was also visited by many popes. Pope Leo IX specifically praised the town for its honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
- Le Puy is famous for its beautiful lace making. Legend says that lace originated in the town in 1407 when the bishop asked a woman named Isabelle Mamour to create something to adorn the cloak of the Black Virgin. It became wildly popular and today you can buy handmade lace throughout the entire town. These beautiful lace creations are a great souvenir to bring home!
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