cloister

Despite its relatively small size, the town of Le Puy-en-Velay in France is blessed with a spectacular landscape, great architecture, and remarkable ruins. Many festivals are held here throughout the year which attract tourists from all over. It is also famed as the starting points of a Christian pilgrimage route and the place where the First Crusade was launched. The Long History of Puy-en-Velay Nestled at the base of two basalt peaks, the town is aptly named, as puy means peak in French. It is believed that pagan shrines were built on the peaks in ancient times, but they were later Christianized. Christians are thought to have been active here during the Roman Empire and according to one legend, Saint