May 24/25: Le Puy-en-Velay

I can't keep up with the travel blog anymore, the days are too full.

That's why I'm trying to condense Le Puy-en-Velay into one blog post.

But it was way too emotional.

I reach the place from where pilgrims have been setting off to Santiago de Compostella since the Middle Ages, since 1200. Several European Jacob's routes merge here: it's a huge meeting point.

On Friday, we start slowly in Le Cros, first a Romanesque church from the 12th century in Saint-Paulien.

After a short distance, unfortunately, the visit to the castle in Polignac was not possible, the ticket office was closed for lunch.

Instead, I met Brigitte and Angelika from Cologne/Aachen, who are finishing their pilgrimage in Le Puy. We spent two amazing days together.

I don't even know how to summarize Le Puy.

The cathedral, the statue of Notre-Dame de France, the St. Michel chapel on the volcanic cone - it's indescribable. And I've made it this far! Unbelievable, I can't believe it!

And then Arni arrives to accompany me for 12 days.

Unbelievable, incredible moment at the statue of Notre-Dame de France: I'm standing at a postcard stand. Henny and Cor, our deceased friends from Bussum/Holland, appear to me. Henny and Cor, who awakened this dream in me, in whose memory I am walking this path. They walked this path in 1993. I walk in their footsteps and they accompany me...

If it wasn't for St. James, none of this would be happening.