French Camino de Santiago

Explore the old town centre of Le Puy-en-Velay on a walk. A particular highlight is the climb up the impressive steps to the 11th century cathedral.

You leave Le Puy with a magnificent panoramic view over the entire region. Then through the Velay, a landscape known for its famous lentils and black sheep. Through the picturesque villages of La Roche, St Christophe sur Dolaizon, Montbonnet and finally you reach St Privat d'Allier.

Through a varied landscape, the route initially follows a narrow, stony path through Rochegude, a viewpoint with an impressive view of the deep gorges of the Allier. After crossing the gorges at Monistrol, a challenging ascent from the Allier to the Madeleine rock chapel. You hike to the Margeride plateau before arriving in the beautiful town of Saugues.

Your route takes you along the Margeride plateau with its characteristic villages, remote hamlets, crossroads and pastures surrounded by old stone walls. Each village has its own charm, with granite houses, ornately carved doorways and well-tended gardens. Walk via Le Pinet, La Clauze with its eye-catching tower, the Contaldès farm, the Le Sauvage estate and the chapel of St Roch.

On today's stage, a short climb awaits you over the Margeride plateau to Aumont, the gateway to the Aubrac. Between Le Rouget, St. Alban and Les Estrets, you will pass through idyllic hamlets and churches with characteristic ‘comb’ bell towers - two wall bell towers that support each other.

You leave the Margeride to cross the Aubrac plateau - a vast plateau full of pastures, old barns, dry stone walls and, depending on the season, blooming flowers. Via the small villages of La Chaze de Peyre, Lasbros and Rieutort d'Aubrac, you hike to Montgros and on to your overnight stay in Nasbinals, known for its magnificent Romanesque church made of brown basalt.

You follow a wonderful route to the village of Aubrac. It was here that the pilgrim Adalard founded the Hospice of Aubrac in the 11th century to accommodate and care for pilgrims. You then begin your descent to Belvezet, where the remains of castles and the Boraldes valley await you, and on to St Chely d'Aubrac with its impressive wayside cross.

You have now reached the Lot valley. After crossing the Rouergue, you reach the small municipality of St. Côme d'Olt, which is considered one of the most beautiful towns in France. The Saint-Côme church with its spiral bell tower, stately town houses from the 16th century and fortified town gates are among the architectural features.

You pass Espalion with its famous bridge. At the end of this section, there is a steeper climb that makes this stage a little more challenging. After a short recovery, another small climb takes you to the village of Estaing, a tranquil place with its old stone bridge over the Lot and the impressive Château d'Estaing.

From Estaing, take a path up to the plateau with a view of the meanders of the River Lot. You will pass through the medieval village of Montegut with its castle of the same name and ruins before stopping off at your overnight accommodation in Golinhac.

After Espeyrac, you climb up to Sénergues, where there is a medieval church. You then reach the viewpoint above Conques, from where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the village and the Sainte-Foy de Conques abbey church. In the afternoon, you will have time to visit Conques and stroll through the narrow streets.