Built at the foot of the Corneille Rock, an imposing volcanic peak towering over the historic centre, the Cathedral of Our Lady Notre-Dame is a remarkable example of the Romanesque style with Carolingian, Byzantine and Moorish influences. This magnificent 11th and 12th-century building is reached via picturesque sloping streets starting from the lower part of town and a long flight of steps.
Above the high altar is the famous 17th-century Black Madonna of Le Puy, which is processioned through the streets of the old town on 15 August every year. Perched at the top of the Corneille Rock, the statue of Our Lady of France, a cast iron work created by the sculptor Bonnassieux in the 19th century using cast iron from the cannons of the Battle for Sevastopol, offers a splendid view of the city's red roofs from its platform!
Le Puy-en-Velay is also famous for its bobbin lace, which according to the legend was invented there. Visitors can learn about it at the Crozatier Museum, located at the bottom of the pleasant Henri Vinay Garden, which boasts a variety of plants. The museum's galleries also house collections dedicated to archaeology, fine arts, palaeontology, ethnology, natural sciences and mechanics. To complete your knowledge of the lace-makers' art, do not miss a chance to visit the Bobbin Lace Education Centre Centre d'Enseignement de la Dentelle au Fuseau , which offers courses and workshops: this ancestral skill will be explained to you in detail, from the equipment used to the different stitches and motifs.
Its exhibition rooms reveal magnificent collections of old and contemporary lace from various periods and countries. The city takes place seventy-five kilometers from Saint-Etienne, at more than meters altitude. Classified as a city of art and history, the commune of Puy-en-Velay enjoys an exceptional architectural and natural setting.
Formerly called Anicum, it was for a long time the stronghold of the Romans, before developing a strong Christian present through the worship of the Virgin. As early as the 9th century, it became Le Puy Notre-Dame, quickly becoming a pilgrimage site. The city is also known as a place of departure for the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.
