Le Puy-en-Velay, France

1 - PLACE DU MARTOURET : The name of this square, derived from vulgar latin, denotes a place set aside for public executions : on 8 June 1794, this square was also the scene of the burning of the authentic statuette of the Black Virgin (one of the many works of art seized from convents and churches). On the leftside of the square stands the City Hall (2), The present of design, erected on the former site of a consular building dates from 1766. (It has sustained damage from violent fires : its predecessor was destroyed by fire in 1653, and subsequent damage was caused by fires in 1817 and 1964).

3 - PLACE DU CLAUZEL : In oldd the word Clauzel connoted a small enclosed area. This used to be a cemetery ; specifically, it was the burial ground for the bodies of paupers who died in the Hotel-Dieu, or public hospital. It was assigned to another purpose in 1654.

4 - RUE COURRERIE : No 6 on this street is a restored Renaissance residence displaying on the facade a triple arcade, its protruding keystones adorned with grotesques. Inside, a vaulted corridor leads to a small courtyard over which rises a curious turret dating from 1571. At no.8, note the 16th century facade.

5 - PLACE DU PLOT : The word Plot is probably of vulgar latin origin ("planum") and means "square". A pillory was erected here in 1548. In this space, drunkards were publicly exposed to the jeering of passers-by. The so-called Fontaine de la Bidoire is Le Puy's oldest fountain. It was installed in 1246, and the dolphins and eagles that adorn it must date from the 15th century.

6 - RUE PANNESSAC : This street has conserved many houses dating from the 15th to the 18th century. At no 16, a 15th century projecting turret overhangs Rue Philibert (7).

8 - RUE CHENEBOUTERIE : At no 6 and no 8, 15th century dwellings. At no 9, the house in which Marshal Fayolle was born, dates from 1592.

9 - RUE RAPHAEL : This street used to be inhabited by middle-class families and the city's leading citizens. 18th century facades ;at no 56, facade with Corinthian colonnettes supporting upper-storey masks that represent the sun and the moon.

10 - PLACE DES TABLES : The so-called fontaine du choriste, (15th century) before 1803, this fountain stood in Rue des Farges (11) this was originally a farriers and iron-smiths neighbourhood ;15th -and 17th century houses at nos 31, 35 and 37.

12 - RUE DES TABLES :The name of this street quite simply derives from the fact that on it, during church festivals, the local vendors used to set up their "tables" displaying religious objects for sale to pilgrims.

13 - CATHEDRAL : Romanesque style, displaying Arabic and Bysantine features due to the influence of the Eastern world and Moorish Spain. The cathedral stands half on the rock and half on pillars built into the hillside of Mont Anis.

14 - RUE BECDELIEVRE: This street was named after the Viscount de Becdelievre founder of the museum of Le Puy. Residence of the Coquery family in the 15th century. Note the doors at no 5, 7 and 12. A short distance away stands the ancient "Porte Gouteyron".

15 - PORTE GOUTEYRON : Which was in existence as early as 1295 ; the St. Michael rock is visible from it.

16 - CHAPEL OF THE PENITENTS : This chapel, built in 1584, is now a small museum containing paintings and sculptures produced during the reign of Louis XIII.

17 - THE CLOISTER (National Museum) : This cloister was built concurrently with the cathedral, and is one of Europe's finest. Fresco of the Crucifixion (13th century), symbolic capitals set amid Moorish architecture. In the "batiment des Machicoulis", famous fresco of "Arts Liberaux" and the first floor, religious art's treasure.

18 - ST JOHN'S BAPTISTERY : Early 11th century, door and stylophoric lions inspired by the Lombard school.

19 - PLACE DU FOR : In the 15th century, on side of this square contained a "preaching pulpit", standing next to an oratory, the site of which is now marked by an altar. The Porche du For was erected in the late 12th -or early 13th century.

20 - RUE CARDINAL DE POLIGNAC :On the right are a series of ancient residences that rank among the finest in the old part of town. At no 2, 15th century turret ; at no 8, the former mansion of the Polignac family, from 1611 to the Revolution, with a 15th century turret overlooking the inner courtyard.

21 - RUE ROCHETAILLADE :At no 7, note the Romanesque facade, the oldest in the city. In the upper part of this same street stands another Romanesque facade with great arches and vestiges of brick mosa'ics ; 15th century turret nearby.

22 - PLACE DE LA PLATRIERE :With the house in which was born the writer Jules Valles (1832-1885) and the ancient chapel of the Visitation, built from 1652 to 1655 where the Companions of Jehu were judged in 1799.

23 - CENTRE PIERRE-CARDINAL : The troubadour Pierre Cardinal (circa 1180 -circa 1278) was the scion of an honorable family of noble rank. During the century in which he lived, Pierre Cardinal devoted his talent to the defense of worthy causes, of which he proclaimed himself the "servant". There are no surviving early records of what originally existed on the site of this Center. It was here that, in the early 17th century, the Ursuline nuns founded a religious establishment designed to provide instruction for young ladies. The Revolutionary period ushered in a few changes to these buildings. In 1792, they became military barracks ; subsequently, the chapel, which had been rebuilt in 1739, was converted into a museum from 1820 to 1851. It's now the associations' house and the Cultural Centre of the town.

24 - THE ST CLAIRE CONVENT (Monastere Sainte-Claire) : Founded in 1432 by the Clarisse nuns, this building's high walls cast a shadow over the picturesque little street's roundabout. Thanks to repairs performed some ten years ago, it has been restored to its distinctive appearance.

25 - LE POUZAROT :(Diminutive of "pouze" derived from the word "puits", meaning a well). This was originally a working-class neighbourhood located outside the city walls.

26 - CHURCH OF THE COLLEGE OF THE JESUITS :The old chapel of the Jesuit monastery erected in 1605 by Martellange, the architect of the Society of Jesus. The best example of baroque style architecture.

27 - NOTRE-DAME DE FRANCE STATUE :This is a monumental statue (22,70 meters high) cast in the metal of cannons captured in the battle of Sebastopol, erected in 1860 on the Corneille Rock platform at an altitude of 757 meters.

28 - SAINT-MICHEL D'AIGUILHE DYKE :A 10th century chapel stands perched atop an 80-meters high volcanic peak. The facade and bell-tower date from the 12th century. The facade boasts exceptionnally outstanding decoration.

29 - CROZATIER MUSEUM :This museum, founded in 1820, houses precious collections of archeological items and art works. The Theodore Falcon room is devoted to displays of bobbin lace and needlework lace dating from the 16th to the 20th century.

30 - PANNESSAC TOWER :Ancient royal door of the town (13th century) was partly demolished in 1850 to widen the street.

31 - CHURCH SAINT-LAURENT :The biggest church built in gothic style in the Auvergne region.


Taken from a tourist leaflet entitled "Le Puy-en-Velay Historical Visits" taken from the Office de Toursime circa 1997.