Saint Michael's Rock – Saint-Georges Church loop from Le Puy-en-Velay

Bike touring routes & trails

Saint Michael's Rock – Saint-Georges Church loop from Le Puy-en-Velay

Hard

5.0

(1)

riders

Saint Michael's Rock – Saint-Georges Church loop from Le Puy-en-Velay

03:06

35.3km

710m

Cycling

Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: September 9, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment in which cycling is not permitted

After 6.07 km for 87 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

404 m

View of the cathedral and statue of Notre-Dame de France

Highlight • Other

31.7 km

Le Puy-en-Velay Historic Center

Highlight • Historical Site

Le Puy-en-Velay is quite an incredible city. Granite and lava stones are everywhere. Several religious buildings, such as the huge statue of Notre-Dame de France and the church of Saint Michel-d'Aiguilhe are placed almost 100 meters high on old volcanic chimneys. These buildings serve as landmarks and can be reached by taking stairs in the rock. The city has two specialties: the famous green lentils from Puy and lace. Lacemakers still practice this unique art. You will find them especially near the steps leading to Notre Dame Cathedral. Do not miss this visit. The church and its cloister are austere but the Romanesque architecture is magnified here.
There is a beautiful atmosphere in the lively streets of Le Puy. Puy also means volcano.

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32.8 km

Saint Michael's Rock

Highlight • Other

This very striking rock needle near Le Puy-en-Velay, crowned with a chapel, is dedicated to the Archangel Michael / Michel. After a strenuous day of pilgrimage, it takes a little effort to make the climb here, but without exception all of our small group of pilgrims conquered the steps and were delighted by this simply designed Romanesque chapel, which offers a wonderful atmosphere of peace and prayer.

On the patronage: The name Michael / Michel (from Hebrew) means "Who is like God?". He is often depicted - in paintings or as a statue - with a flaming sword, or occasionally a lance. Michael is - together with Raphael, Gabriel and Uriel - one of the four archangels who (according to human belief) occupy the highest rank in the heavenly hierarchy of angelic beings. Their common feast day in the calendar of saints is September 29th.

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33.1 km

Cathedral Notre Dame of Puy-en-Velay

Highlight • Monument

A major religious building in Puy-en-Velay, Notre-Dame Cathedral offers at 7 a.m., every day from April 1 to October 31 and at 7:30 a.m., Monday to Friday, from November 1 to March 31, the blessing of pilgrims. Whether you are walking towards Compostela or not, this stop is a must in the city.

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