Erasmus Day in Le Puy-En-Velay and Polignac

Erasmus Day in Le Puy-En-Velay and Polignac

Puy-en-Velay – Polignac – Fortress
Departure date :
Sunday, October 18, 2026
Return date :
Sunday, October 18, 2026
Departure time : 
09:30
Return time : 
20:00
Departure and return:
1 Quai Jean Moulin
Member price : 
Starting at $36
Non-member price : 
€41 through October 11, then €49

Includes :

  • Return transport by private bus
  • Visit Le Puy en Velay
  • Visit Polignac
  • Admission ticket to the Polignac Fortress
  • Bilingual tour leader (French/English)

Not included:

  • Personal expenses
  • Meals

Travel program

Departure from Lyon
Puy-en-Velay

Statue of Notre-Dame de France
Chapelle Saint-Michel
Historic center
UNESCO cathedral

 
Polignac

Polignac fortress
Volcanic plateau
Panoramic view
Free time in the village

Back to Lyon
Day 1

We leave Lyon in the morning for a unique escapade in the heart of the Auvergne, to discover two incredible places: Le Puy-en-Velay and Polignac. Two villages ranked among the most beautiful in the region, where every stone tells you a story.

In the morning, we explore Le Puy-en-Velay, a medieval city surrounded by spectacular volcanic formations. Climb up to the monumental statue of the Virgin Mary atop the Corneille rock for a 360° panoramic view of the town and its volcanoes. Don't miss the climb to the Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe chapel, perched on a volcanic peak. This is also the starting point for the famous Camino de Santiago de Compostela.

After a free lunch break in the historic center, we head for Polignac, just a few minutes away. This hilltop village welcomes you with its imposing medieval fortress, one of the best preserved in France. Climb the ramparts for a breathtaking view of the Velay region. Between defensive architecture, nature and heritage, you'll discover a place that's both powerful and peaceful.

Return to Lyon in the early evening, eyes filled with incredible scenery.

Itinerary

Departure from Lyon
Puy-en-Velay

Statue of Notre-Dame de France
Chapelle Saint-Michel
Historic center
UNESCO cathedral

 
Polignac

Polignac fortress
Volcanic plateau
Panoramic view
Free time in the village

Back to Lyon

Students talk about it better than we do

Participating avatar Akhil
5/5
One of the best trip I had!!!! And the beat places I have ever visited in Europe.... Thanks a lott for the wonderful journey!!!
 
Participating avatar MARITA
5/5
Amazing experience each time I go with Erasmus on their trips! good prices, great people and amazing memories along the way✨
 
Participating avatar ASHRAF
5/5
Great experience, really recommend! Everything was well organised and planned. Enjoyed the activities
 
Participating avatar JESSICA
5/5
This try was very great it was fun with all and to make new friends 😊
 
Participating avatar GIORGIA
5/5
It was a very good trip and Manel was an amazing guide, very friendly.
 
Participating avatar RACHENA
5/5
Perfect trip! Would go for more :)Thanks for organizing it so well and thanks Matt for being a great tour leader!

Membership card

With the Erasmus Place membership card you can benefit all year round! Pssst, it's not compulsory to take part in trips!

  • Reduced prices on all our trips from all our cities!
  • Cancel and be reimbursed up to 48 hours before departure
  • Some free or reduced-price events just for you all year round!

Unforgettable destinations!

Le Puy-en-Velay
Polignac

It's an incredible city built at the foot of several volcanic peaks. Le Puy is also one of the starting points of the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, making it a place steeped in history and spirituality.

Did you know?

The statue of the Virgin of Le Puy is 22.70 meters high and was built in 1860 from 213 cannons taken from the Russian army during the Crimean War.

Polignac is one of the region's most beautiful hilltop villages. Dominated by its medieval fortress, this site offers an exceptional view of the Velay plateau. The whole village is surrounded by nature, perfect for a breath of fresh air.

Did you know?

The Polignac fortress belongs to one of France's oldest noble families, which has produced several great political and military figures for the country.

Unforgettable destinations!

Le Puy-en-Velay
Le Puy-en-Velay

It's an incredible city built at the foot of several volcanic peaks. Le Puy is also one of the starting points of the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, making it a place steeped in history and spirituality.

Did you know?

The statue of the Virgin of Le Puy is 22.70 meters high and was built in 1860 from 213 cannons taken from the Russian army during the Crimean War.

Polignac
Polignac

Polignac is one of the region's most beautiful hilltop villages. Dominated by its medieval fortress, this site offers an exceptional view of the Velay plateau. The whole village is surrounded by nature, perfect for a breath of fresh air.

Did you know?

The Polignac fortress belongs to one of France's oldest noble families, which has produced several great political and military figures for the country.

Our charters

At Erasmus Place, the journey begins as soon as you get on the bus. It's a friendly atmosphere, where people get to know each other, have a laugh and share music and tips.

Our buses are comfortable, air-conditioned and equipped with toilets, barring major exceptions. We want you to feel at ease, even during several hours of driving. To make sure everything goes smoothly, we also have a few simple rules: respect for everyone, no inappropriate behavior, no consumption of alcohol or banned substances on the bus.

For each trip, we select quality establishments, always with a minimum 2-star rating for hotels. Whether it's a hotel or a hostel, you can count on comfortable, clean and conveniently located accommodation.

Our hotels and hostels are always located in the city center, close to places of interest and local entertainment, so you can make the most of your stay without wasting time in transport. With a few exceptions. 

Rooms are shared among friends, in a relaxed atmosphere, but we respect a simple rule: men stay with men, women with women. Rooms are divided into groups of 2, 3 or 4 people, depending on the configuration of the site. If you're traveling as a couple, it's possible to have a room for two, but only by prior arrangement.
We want you to feel comfortable, surrounded and safe throughout your stay.

Each Erasmus Place trip is supervised by one or more trained Tour Leaders, who are friendly and always available. Their role is to ensure that your stay is well organized, that the group is safe and that a friendly atmosphere prevails from departure to return. They welcome you, inform you, lead the trips, coordinate the different stages of the program and listen to you throughout the trip.

Our Tour Leaders are fluent in between two and five languages, including English, making it easy to communicate with all participants, whatever their nationality. They are not certified guides like those you find in museums, but they know perfectly well the destinations they visit, the instructions for the trip, and the good tips to share. They're there to accompany you, reassure you, answer your questions, deal with the unexpected and make sure you get the most out of your Erasmus experience.
Their aim is simple: to make sure you return home with your head full of memories... and the desire to go back (alone or with us!).

Our BUS Charter
At Erasmus Place, the journey begins as soon as you get on the bus. It's a friendly atmosphere, where people get to know each other, have a laugh and share music and tips.Our buses are comfortable, air-conditioned and equipped with toilets and USB, unless there are major exceptions. We want you to feel at ease, even on the longest journeys. To make sure everything goes smoothly, we also have a few simple rules: respect for everyone, no inappropriate behavior, no consumption of alcohol or banned substances on the bus.
Our Hotel Charter
For each trip, we select quality establishments, always rated at least 2 stars, with breakfast included. Whether hotel or hostel, you can count on comfortable, clean and conveniently located accommodation.Our hotels and hostels are always in the city center, close to places to visit and local entertainment, so you can make the most of your stay without wasting time in transport.Rooms are shared between friends, in a relaxed atmosphere, but we respect a simple rule: men stay with men, women with women. Rooms are divided into groups of 2, 3 or 4 people, depending on the configuration of the site. If you're traveling as a couple, it's possible to have a room for two, but only by prior arrangement. We want you to feel comfortable, surrounded and safe throughout your stay.
Our TOUR LEADER Charter
Each Erasmus Place trip is supervised by one or more trained Tour Leaders, who are friendly and always available. Their role is to ensure that your stay is well organized, that the group is safe and that a friendly atmosphere prevails from departure to return. They welcome you, inform you, lead the trips, coordinate the different stages of the program and listen to you throughout the trip.Our Tour Leaders are fluent in between two and five languages, including English, making it easy to communicate with all participants, whatever their nationality. They're not certified guides like those you find in museums, but they know the destinations they'll be visiting, the instructions for the trip, and the good tips to share. They're there to accompany you, reassure you, answer your questions, deal with the unexpected and make sure you get the most out of your Erasmus experience. Their aim is simple: to make sure you return home with your head full of memories... and the desire to go back (on your own or with us!).

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