Overview
Walking Le Puy to Conques – 210km 11 Days: We begin our journey in Paris and travel southwards by train to the volcanic region of Auvergne and the pilgrim city of Le Puy-en-Velay. Then spend the next thirteen days walking along the Via Podiensis, an old pilgrim route. We visit churches, chapels, pilgrim sites and market towns, walking through a variety of landscapes to reach Conques. At Conques we explore its rare medieval treasures – relics reputed to cure blindness and restore vigour. Optional Extra: Then by coach to Rocamadour, the dramatic pilgrim town built into the side of a cliff where we’ll visit the Shrine of the Black Madonna and see the Sword of Roland before returning to Paris.
The following is an outline of the 11-day (includes a rest day) walking Le Puy to Conques itinerary that we chose. We decided on this itinerary because of the reasonable distances and the available accommodation.
- Begin at: Le Puy-en-Velay.
- How to get there: Take a train from Paris Gare de Lyon to St. Etienne, and then a local train to Le Puy.
- How to get back from Conques: Taxi to Rodez and a train to Toulouse, then to Paris. Another option is: 08.15 bus to Rodez train to Toulouse about 5 hrs, then to Paris.
Beginning the Journey St Privat d’Allier Cliff side chapel Pine Forest
Days 1 – 4
Day 1. Le Puy- St Privat d’allier (22 km). – After exploring Le Puy the previous day, the GR 65 soon takes you out into the countryside. Climb out of Le Puy and onto a large plateau passing small villages and a chapel dedicated to St. Roch, the patron saint of pilgrims.
Day 2. to Sauges (18 km). Up out of the valley and along the trail to Saugues. Stay at the hotel which is the traditional meeting place for all pilgrims coming from the Auvergne region.
Day 3. to Les Faux (25 km). Continue along the valley to Clauze past forests of pines. Visit Chapelle-Saint Roch with a statue of St. Roch with his dog. Some pilgrims may prefer to walk a part of today’s route and take the local coach the rest of the way.
Day 4. to Aumont Aubrac (27 km). Visit the village of St. Alban and its Romanesque church. Desolate region, treeless yet with wild flowers, we follow part of the old Roman road of Agrippa into Aumont. Some pilgrims may prefer to walk a part of today’s route and take the local coach the rest of the way.
Rest day at Aumont Aubrac Route Marker near Nasbinals Pilgrims at St Chely Bridge at Espalion
Days 5 – 8
Day 5. Rest Day. Time for relaxing, or exploring the local villages and towns.
Day 6. to Nasbinals (26 km). Cross the remote and vast plateau of Aubrac. Warm clothing advised (except July/August). Burons- huts built of lava and granite topped by limestone slabs. Drailles – old drove roads. Follow the forest path. Take lunch. Nasbinals- market town with 11th century Romanesque church. Statues of St. James and St. Roch inside. Some pilgrims may prefer to walk a part of today’s route and take the local coach the rest of the way.
Day 7. to St Chely d’Aubrac (17 km). Tiny hamlets and ancient bridges. Lunch at Aubrac. Aubrac – The village was founded by a Flemish knight who was attacked by bandits while on his way to Santiago. On his return journey he was almost killed during a wild storm here. He decided to build a pilgrim refuge on the site of his deliverance. Aubrac is a great transhumance centre where livestock is moved to and from for seasonal grazing. Walk past the Tour des Anglais, constructed in 1353 as a defence against the English during the 100 years War. Pass the ruins of Templar castle and make our way down into St. Chely.
Day 8. to Espalion (26 km). Take lunch. Some pilgrims may prefer to walk a part of today’s route and take the local coach the rest of the way. To the Lot Valley. St-Come-d’Olt is classified as a “Les plus beaux villages de France.” The village of Espalion with its pilgrim bridge.
Church of St. Pierre de Bessuejouls Rue Charlemagne at Conques Auberge at Conques Sacred Landscape
Days 9 – 12
Day 9. to Estaing (11 km). Church of St. Pierre-de-Bessuejouls has a chapel of pink sandstone. Estaing has the festival of St. Fleuret in which costumed folk follow a procession to commemorate St. Jacques and pilgrims. The chateau of the Counts of Estaing is now a monastery with mass said daily.
Day 10. to Espeyrac (25 km). Take lunch or have it at Golinhac. Some pilgrims may prefer to walk a part of today’s route and take the local coach the rest of the way.
Day 11. to Conques (13 km) – your destination! Walk through Senergues with its picturesque castle. A dramatic descent into Conques, one of the finest hill-towns in France. Lunch at Conques. Visit shrines and relics reputed to cure blindness and restore vigour.
THE Camino in france
Rewards
Walking this old pilgrim path is a real treat. You get to stay in some wonderful inns in ancient villages. The scenery varies every day. Conques is a remarkable place.
There is a lot to see on this 210 km journey through France, so don’t forget to bring your camera. Be prepared for wonderful walking. The GR 65 is a French gem, and the village churches and restaurants will delight you.
WALK Le Puy to Conques. ISBN -978-0-9578968-4-0 (102p)
A fully illustrated account of the pilgrim’s journey from Le Puy-en-Velay to Conques in France. The e-book is compatible with any PDF capable e-book reader or computer.
The Camino in France
We’ve detailed our experiences of life on this Section of the pilgrimage to help you plan your own journey. Of course, there’s nothing like doing it yourself. WALKING Le Puy to Conques includes:
- Walker’s Information.
- Section by Section itinerary.
- Best time to go.
- Fully Illustrated – 90 Images.
- Overview Maps – 15 maps.
- Visit Medieval Rocamadour.
- 102 Pages.
- Learn about St. James and St. Roche.
- Preparation for your Journey.
- History of the Pilgrimage.
- Importance of Conques.
- The Black madonna.
- PDF ebook.
We email you a download link once we have received your payment through Pay Pal.
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