Le Puy-en-Velay is in the Haute-Loire region of southern France, in the centre of the Massif Central. It is a small town with a lot of religious history, most of which is fantastically preserved. Hiring a car from Le Puy-en-Velay could send you on a historical treasure hunt around the 12th century cathedral, the church of Saint Michel d'Aiguilhe, and a 35 hectare site at the top of the town which has some stunning old buildings.
By hiring a car from Le Puy-en-Velay, you can also follow the old pilgrimage route, which starts in the town and ends in Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
Car hire from Le Puy-en-Velay, makes it possible to explore the vast beauty of the Massif Central, and the best place to see it from is Mont Mézenc. Just under an hour's drive from Le Puy-en-Velay, the mountain was formed by volcanic activity, and offers amazing views of the plateau and surrounding mountains.
Visitors who are less likely to mountain climb and more likely to enjoy a picnic by the stream should rent a car from Le Puy-en-Velay and make the fifty minute journey to Lavaudieu, a small town in the Haute-Loire that has a Benedictine Priory, a stream with a gorgeous bridge, and a lot of fresh air.