One of the reasons I like the Walking Forum is because of the 'memory prompts' like yours today. I've just had a read of your blog and I also remember the journey from Lyon. Luckily, I managed it all by train, I had to change once and I too remember that it was a very scenic route.
Le Puy en Velay for me was one of those places I just had to go to, it had been on my list of places to visit for a few years.
It was also the place where I had the best omelette ever! I arrived in the early evening, pitched my tent on the site near to the volcanic pinnacle with the statue on top, and then thought I must eat something! I wandered a few yards up the road and saw this scruffy looking cafe with two small tables outside. I sat down a an old lady served me, I think she was the owner's mother.
I chose the omelette and drank some local red wine while I waited. And then it arrived, Mmmmmm, fantastic!!!! I still remember it and have never had a better one since!
I went back to Le Puy the following year to walk the GR65 to Figeac. I then turned right on the GR4 to Rocamadour and that's where I had the worst omelette of my life. I sat in the garden of a 'posh' Hotel, the wine, beer, weather and the views were great but the omelette was terrible, it was running with oil and overcooked and I sent it back!
Funny what we remember and what we forget.