The Full French Way of St James
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Overview
Highlights
- Walking the whole route to St Jean Pied de Port, the cross roads of the "Grand Chemin de Saint Jacques"
- Enjoying the camaraderie of fellow hikers and pilgrims
- Experiencing the culinary delights of the region and the hospitality of your accommodation hosts
- Viewing the contrasting landscapes and architecture between the regions passed
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Itinerary
Arrive in Le Puy-en-Velay. This is an ancient town surrounded by a volcanic landscape which is dominated by rocky peaks rising from the valley floor. We recommend that you allow at least half a day to explore. Take a stroll through town and warm up your walking legs c...
The Le Puy-en-Velay cathedral is the starting point for your walk and you will ascend rapidly from the Puy Basin. Crossing the Velay Mountains and passing fields of lentils, you'll enter the heart of the volcanic chain of the Deves before arriving in the small village of St Privat d’Allier. Distance 23km/14.3mi, +572m/1877ft, -376m/1234ft
meals : B,D
Most of the day is spent crossing the valley. You will pass through the village of Rochegude, famous for its St Jacques Chapel, where a descent to the river at Monistrol will follow. Whilst the trail is easy to follow, the following ascent is quite sustained (500m/164...
Today is very picturesque as you cross the Margeride Plateau. With vast grassy plains and moors of broom and heather, this part of the trail is relatively easy going - although gently ascending most of the day. Amongst the most interesting sights are St Roch Chapel o...
From St Alban the trail descends into the Truyere valley. You then traverse the vast plain of the Margeride to reach Aumont-Aubrac. On the way, admire the Roman church of the Estrets, re-worked several times and surmounted by a bell tower wall with three openings supp...
From Aumont-Aubrac in “Terre de Peyre” (land of Peyre which means land of stone), the Way of St James crosses some beautiful pine forests before joining the Aubrac plateau, a vast expanse of pastures punctuated by “burons” (in the Auvergne region this is a shelter whe...
This stage takes you through the heart of the Aubrac plateau, where the ancestral rite of transhumance is still practiced (the annual transhumance fair is on the Sunday nearest 25th of May). Today you'll pass the highest point of the whole 750 km between Le Puy-en-Vel...
We leave the country of the “Boraldes” (name given to the brooks descending from the Aubrac) to reach the Lot valley. Here you are near St-Côme d’Olt, listed among the “most beautiful villages of France”. There are remnants of numerous bridges constructed over the Lot...
The walk continues on the Way of St James following the Lot river to the lovely village of Estaing, also one of “les plus beaux villages de France”, with its Gothic bridge and imposing chateau. The annual St Fleuret fair has been held here since the 14th century (on t...
Today is a straightforward walk mainly along quiet tarmac roads. Most of the day's ascent is completed early on so that you can enjoy great views across the hills as you walk towards Golinhac. Golinhac's church preserves the Roman foundations of a Benedictine priory t...
Today's walk is one of the favourite stages for pilgrims as the view over the village of Conques is breathtaking from the east. While descending into the deep valley of the Ouche, you will arrive near the Dourdou river (which flows into the Lot, to the north) at Conqu...
Today is free to discover the village and its pointed roofs from which the towers of the Romanesque Abbey-Church Sainte Foy dominate. The doorway of the abbey - the Tympanum - is one of the most important examples of Romanesque sculpture in the World, and don't miss 'Le Tresor' with its fine collections of medieval gold and jewels.
meals : B
The trail this morning heads to the surrounding hills, where the view over Conques is striking. Along the way, visit a small chapel dedicated to Saint Roch, pilgrim saint of Montpellier. Here he is depicted as a pilgrim with a scallop shell. You will walk through fore...
Leaving from either Livinhac (or Decazeville), you reach the hilltop village of Montredon, dominated by its church Saint Michel and Romanesque Chapel of St Mary. The route then crosses the countryside to arrive in Figeac, with its lovely medieval architecture. The bir...
The trail crosses the river Célé and ascends the limestone plateau where you can admire the magnificent "Cazels" or "Bories" - little drystone shepherd huts. Arrive in Gréalou, with its 12th century Romanesque church Our Lady of the Assumption. Distance 20km/12.42mi, +498m/1633ft, -315m/1033ft
meals : B,D
The forested trail today descends along the Lot valley to the village of Cajarc. You'll pass ancient dolmens (a type of megalithic tomb), stone shelters unique to the region, and stone crosses including the oldest on the route. Cajarc is an attractive village surround...
The trail continues along the arid plateau of Limogne en Quercy. You'll walk through lovely woods and the agricultural land of the Causses du Limogne (the group of limestone plateaus in the Massif Central). The rainwater seeps inside the rocks to form a network of und...
Today’s walk will be mainly flat on woodland tracks, as you continue your journey across “le parc naturel regional des Causses de Quercy”. On your way to Mas-de -Vers and Lalbenque you'll see dolmens and other historic monuments and sights of interest : old windmills,...
The trail takes you along the Cami Ferrat, an ancient trade route between Cahors and Caylus. You'll pass many stone shepherd shelters, ‘caselle’, which are unique to the region. As you walk into Cahors, you'll enjoy fantastic views. It's nestled in a U-shaped bend of ...
Leaving Cahors, the walk starts with a demanding climb, giving you a good view of the city down to the valley. You'll then continue to the Causses limestone plateau. On your way you will pass the villages of Labastide-Marnhac, before arriving in the little village of ...
The trail today leads you into the Tarn and Garonne region, with a few ascents and descents all the way to Lauzerte. There is less woodland and more farmland and crop fields. You'll reach the village of Lauzerte, another of the “most beautiful villages of France”. It ...
Today is one of the easiest walking days, as you make your way towards Moissac on quiet countryside tracks, crossing woodlands, crop fields and vineyards. Moissac was formerly an important stop on the road to Santiago coming in from Geneva. Here you can visit the pres...
On leaving Moissac, pass by its abbey and continue along the Tarn before returning to the Garonne and its lateral canal. You soon enter the Lomagne or "hunchback Gascogne", an area of natural beauty. This former dependency of the Duchy of Gascony is the land of white ...
Today you will leave the department “Lot” to enter the farmlands of “Le Gers”. The walk takes you to the lovely village of Flamarens, with its castle built in the 13th century. Distance 14km/8.7mi, +398m/1305ft, -310m/1017ft
meals : B,D
Continue your Camino walk to Miradoux, a former bastide, founded in 1253, the oldest in the department. Built on a small promontory, the town has character-filled stone houses, evidence of the area's rich history. Further along the trail is the lovely town of Lectoure...
Leaving Lectoure and the Gers River behind, the trail takes you to Marsolan where on the terrace of the remains of the old hospital Saint Jacques at the entrance to the village, you can take in the impressive view of the Auchie Gascon Valley. It is a very pleasant str...
Leaving La Romieu the expansive views of the open countryside of the Gers are inspiring. It's an ideal walking environment, best before the midday sun sets in. The area represents the transition between the 'haute' Armagnac around Lectoure (also called White Armagnac...
En route to Montréal-du-Gers we recommend a 15 minute detour to visit the tiny fortified town of Larresingle which was the fortress of the Bishops of Condom in the Middle Ages and another of the' most beautiful villages' in France. Further along the route you pass the...
Most of the walking today is flat, across agricultural landscapes intersected by minor roads. The first 10km of the trail pass vineyards and pretty countryside until you reach the hamlet of Lamothe, with its 13th century guard tower. The walk then heads down into the ...
Continue today on a fairly flat trail through vines, walnut groves and open countryside. In Manciet, about half way along the day's walk, there is a bullring used for cattle races which are held on the 2nd Sunday in September to coincide with the village fete. Passing...
Today you will mainly be walking alongside cereal crops and farmland, and passing some of the prettiest villages and hamlets on the entire route. On the last stretch vineyards become rarer and the landscape changes to an area that is tree covered with maritime pines, ...
Today is a demanding walking day, mainly due to its length rather than the difficulty of the trail. You'll wander through lush green countryside with hamlets and ancient buildings such as medieval chapels and wash-houses (“lavoirs”). The snow-capped Pyrenees come into...
A shorter day today. The trail continues through the beautiful Béarn region. With the Pyrenees to the south, you'll cross rolling hills and pass many villages such as Louvigny to Larreule with its Benedictine Monastery. Distance 12km/7.8mi, +310m/1017ft, -330m/1083ft
meals : B,D
The trail continues past a pilgrims' hospital and a Romanesque chapel to reach Arthez-de-Béarn, with its distinctive Basque architecture. A few long uphill stretches will add some difficulty to this pleasant section of the trail. The route passes through woods, church...
Starting the day through fields and woods following the Gave de Pau, the route passes a sanctuary and later a former monastery (La Sauvelade). The undulating trail takes you through quiet rural scenes before a long descent through a forest which will take you to the l...
Another great day's walk through the last of the Béarnais countryside, crossing small streams and ascending fields and wooded trails. En route you'll pass a pâté producer (Jean Haget) and the Mongaston Castle, before reaching the small village of Lichos, birthplace of Saint-Grat, Bishop of Oloron, in the Basque region of France. Distance 15km/9.3mi, +331m/1086ft, -283m/928ft
meals : B,D
Stop at the Romanesque church of St Etienne in Aroue and make a detour off the path to see the lovely Romanesque church of St Just in Olhaiby. You'll follow rural trails to St Palais, a cultural town which plays host to colourful festivals and markets. Here the street...
Continue on a trail past pilgrims hospitals, small chapels and historic villages. During your walk today you will pass the Gibraltar stele, where all the Camino routes from France meet. The trail leads you across rolling countryside before reaching the chapel of Soyar...
Your last walking day today! The trail leads you through the Basque countryside and along the D933, through the valley and on old paths either side of the road. En route you pass the sights of pilgrims' hospitals and the Croix de Galzetaburia which is a cross placed ...
Your trip concludes after breakfast.
meals : B
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The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
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