Le Puy-en-Velay is a famous center of the cult of Our Lady and one of the starting points of the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. The local cathedral of Notre Dame, along with other monuments of this route, is included in the UNESCO list.
In the early Middle Ages, Le Puy-en-Velay was one of the main centers of ecclesiastical power in this part of France. The local cult of the Mother of God also dates from these times. The statue of the Black Madonna is worshiped, with the intercession of which many miracles happen. The figurine that can be seen today is a copy of a medieval sculpture that was destroyed during the French Revolution.
The most important monument and attraction of Le Puy-en-Velay is the Romanesque Cathedral of Notre-Dame. Every morning there is a blessing of pilgrims who begin their journey to Santiago de Compostela. The Statue of Our Lady of France stands on a rocky hill above the town's buildings. The figure visible from a distance was made of 213 cannons captured by the Russians during the Battle of Sevastopol in 1855. On the second volcanic rock stands the Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe chapel, built in the 10th century and marking the beginning of the road of St. James. There are 268 steps carved in the rock leading to it.
