Le Puy en Velay & Thiers

[chefgav]

Can anyone suggest things in the area and restaurants in Le Puy. I am after foodie/ slash wine ideas

Cheers

Gavin

[chefgav]

Le Puy-en-Velay

Famous for (Lentils / Artisan cheeses, Vervaine liqour and other drinks

We had a fantastic time in Le Puy-en-Veleay, definitely glad we went. The town is lovely and definitely worth the visit. Whilst is isn't a heavy hitting wine town. They do make some wines but they are definitely on the map for there incredible cheeses. It's has a great little old town worth exploring plenty of history. We had an amazing meal at Francois Gagniere. I would recommend this as a must if you are visiting or staying overnight, Worth the splurge.
There are some amazing buildings and history. The town is very scenic driving in with its puy (hills) sticking out in the center of the village like you are entering in a land of hobbits. The tourist information center ha some great things to do and they have a map which has a couple of touristic walking tours even a night tour.
Just outside of Le Puy you can visit an amazing lentil farm that has a tour (La ferme la biere et Lentilles).

Gavin

[menton1]

A nice town in the Auvergne, in the middle of a countryside full of "Puys". (Bumps, or mound-like small volcanic mountains). Dont miss the breathtaking 1100 year old church clinging to the small top of one of the "puys". On top of another mound, is a 150 year old unspectacular statue made of old cannon parts.

However, this is not a particularly distinguished food area; the area is famous for the lentils that are grown here, and the signature dish is Lamb and Lentils.

The only upscale decent restaurant is Tournayre, in the old Quartier.

It's not too far to Lyon, however, where the food choices are endless...Also Pic in Valence features the first woman chef to win 3 Michelin stars. Just down the road.

[chefgav]

Great thanks for the info ill let you know what I discover

[JmVikmanis]

We will be in Puy en Velay in mid June. I had thought that the Gagnaire restaurant there was good. It has one Michelin star. Not so?

[menton1]

Yes, you're right. This is Francois Gagnaire, and it does have a star. Frankly, we didn't love this town and left earlier than planned. The lentils are interesting, but they taste like any lentils, IMO. The lamb & lentil preparation is interesting though...

[Parigi]

I didn't like the town either. Very impressive, very foreboding with all the dark-stone architecture, too foreboding. Made me feel I needed to get out and breathe.

[JmVikmanis]

Glad we're only spending one night there on our way to Lyon. So there will be light at the end of the tunnel.

[Parigi]

Lavaudieu, a pocket-size village near Le Puy, is much more charming and is surrounded by vineyards.

[EatDrinkLyon]

If you climb to the top of the hill, winding your way through all the cobbled streets to the amazing statue of the madonna and look down on all the coloured rooftops, the view is most impressive (pic on the wikipedia page) and well worth it. But I have to concur there is nowhere decent in town to eat and I spent hours looking!