Le Puy-en-Velay France

Located 325 miles S of Paris and 80 miles SE of Clermont-Ferrand, Le Puy was founded on Mount Anis, one of the volcanic peaks that pierce the sky throughout the Velay plain. Once devoted to a pagan cult, Le Puy was converted to Christianity in the 3rd century and became known for a number of reported apparitions of the Virgin Mary and miraculous healings witnessed at "Pierre des Fievres" (Fever Rock), a Druid ceremonial stone. Le Puy became one of the starting points along the route of Santiago de Compostella and, in the 12th century, the cathedral of Notre-Dame was built in order to accommodate the crowds of pilgrims. Today the city is famous for its lace-making and its annual Bird King Festival, which revives the splendor of the Renaissance.

Tourist Office Place du Breuil 43000 Le Puy-en-Velay Phone: 33 4 71 09 38 41 Fax: 33 4 71 05 22 62