The route
The Via Podiensis from Le Puy-en-Velay to Conques is of moderate difficulty. It's a route that most hikers can complete, including first-time hikers, but it requires a reasonable level of fitness and a willingness to spend several days hiking in hilly terrain.
Itinerary
Le Puy-en-Velay is a spectacular city steeped in history and spirituality. Spend the afternoon climbing the impressive steps of the famous 12th-century cathedral that towers high above the city. This is also where the Via Podiensis officially begins - a route travelled by pilgrims since the Middle Ages.
Today's hike starts with magnificent views of the entire Puy basin. The route winds through agricultural areas and small villages such as La Roche and Montbonnet before ending in Saint-Privat-d'Allier, dramatically perched above the deep gorges of the Allier River. This is where the pilgrimage really begins.
A day of great variety in landscape. You'll pass Rochegude, where there are magnificent views of the Allier Gorge. The highlight of the day is the path through the wild canyons of Monistrol-d'Allier where you can also see the unique chapel of Sainte-Madeleine, almost carved into the rock. You'll then head up towards the Margeride plateau and arrive in Saugues, known for its statue of ‘La Bête du Gévaudan’.
You'll cross the Margeride plateau, an area characterised by granite villages, open meadows and old stone fences. Along the way you'll pass La Clauze, known for its leaning tower, and the historic Domaine du Sauvage, a former monastery. A long but incredibly atmospheric day.
The route takes you across the Margeride towards Aumont-Aubrac, the gateway to the wild and beautiful Aubrac region. Along the way you will pass several typical villages with Romanesque churches, small farms and agricultural idyll. The atmosphere gradually becomes more mountainous.
You leave Margeride and enter the vast Aubrac plateau. It is an area of highland pastures, old shepherds' huts (burons) and endless stone walls. Especially in spring and summer, the meadows bloom with wildflowers. The day ends in Nasbinals, known for its beautiful Romanesque church built in dark basalt stone.
A shorter day, you'll first reach the legendary town of Aubrac, founded by pilgrims and knights in the Middle Ages. Here you can visit Notre-Dame-des-Pauvres and see the remains of the old convent medical centre. Then descend towards the cosy village of Saint-Chély-d'Aubrac, peacefully nestled in the Boraldes valley.
Du forlader højlandet og kommer ned i Lot-dalen, hvor klimaet bliver mildere og landskabet mere frodigt. Saint-Côme-d’Olt er en af de smukkeste landsbyer i Frankrig, kendt for sin snirklede gotiske spir og sine velbevarede middelaldergader.
Today's route follows the Lot River and offers atmospheric landscapes and small towns like Espalion (where you can see one of the oldest arched stone bridges in France). Estaing is another gem - a fairytale village with river, castle and old streets.
Today's route starts calmly but ends with a tough climb up towards Golinhac. The village has been part of the pilgrimage route since the 12th century and you can see both the church and a carved stone with a small figure of St James. An important stage historically and symbolically.
After a short climb, the route descends steadily towards one of the biggest highlights of the entire route: Conques. The well-preserved medieval town sits like a treasure in the valley and the Sainte-Foy Abbey Church is a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture. The town is full of atmosphere and this is where this part of your pilgrimage ends in style.
If you have time, enjoy a quiet morning in the city, take a closer look at the monastery church and maybe get your pilgrim passport stamped one last time.
Pictures from the trip
Prices and dates
Price includes
- 11 nights in small hotels - always incl. private shower/toilet
- Breakfast and dinner every day
- Luggage transport between hotels
- Detailed route descriptions and maps (in English)
- 24-hour local and international service hotline for the duration of the tour
- This is a package holiday and is covered by the Travel Guarantee Fund and the Package Travel Act - see what benefits this brings you - click here
- Transport to France
- Drinks and beverages
- Travel and cancellation insurance
- Tourist tax (if due)
- Handling fee (€20)
Practical information
The price is based upon two people sharing. It is also possible travel alone in a single room. Simply choose "1 person" in the booking form and it will automatically add the single room surcharge.
On this tour you will be on your own supplied with maps, route descriptions and luggage transfers. That means that your time is your own and you have plenty of time to enjoy the stages in your own pace.
Check the price quickly
You can quickly check the price of your desired trip without having to fill in anything. Here's how:
- Choose your desired start date
- Click on the green button "See price and reserve your holiday" and go to the booking form
- Select number of people, add any optional extras and see the price at the bottom of the page (you don't have to fill in anything on the form).
Get a quote
For example, if you want a flight included or changes to the trip, you can order a quote for this using the "Get a quote" button. Remember to describe in detail what, if anything, you want changed.
The process of your booking
When you book, we will start booking hotels and arranging all the practical details of the trip. This process typically takes 2-5 working days, but some bookings may take longer. If you are arranging your own transport, we recommend that you wait until we have confirmed your booking before arranging this.
Dates
If you can select the date in the tour calendar at the top of this page, this is a possible start date. We continually update the tours with sold-out dates, after which those dates will turn red and cannot be selected.
The flights to/from Clermont-Ferrand or Lyon are not included in the price. You can easily find a suitable flight via a flight booking engine such as Momondo or Skyscanner.
Notice: we recommend that you book with us and wait for the confirmation before you book your flights.
Get a quote
If you prefer that we handle your flight, then we would be happy to arrange this for you. You simply book a quote below the map on this page and we will return with a quote as soon as possible (usually within 48 working hours). Please note that we add a handling fee of 45 euro to each flight and this means that the flight will be cheaper if you book it yourself.
The overnight stays on the trip take place in double rooms at specially selected 1-, 2- and 3-star hotels, inns and guesthouses.
It is possible to book extra nights before, during and after the trip
On this trip, breakfast and dinner is included every day. The dinners will consist of a 2-3 course menu that you can pick yourself. Beverage is not included.
Lunch can be bought in the small towns during the trip and brought along the hikes.
Luggage transfer is included on this tour. Upon arrival at the first hotel you will be given luggage tags along with the rest of the welcome package. You fill out the luggage tags and put them on your bags where they will remain for the duration of the tour.
Your luggage is picked up from the hotel lobby around 9am every morning and will arrive at your next hotel at 6pm at the latest (often long before that). If there are any special exceptions to the luggage transfer you will be notified upon arrival.
Luggage transfer includes one bag per guest and the bags can weigh 20kg each.
On this tour, you will receive the following documents:
Upon booking
Immediately after booking this trip, you'll recieve a pre-booking-email where you can get a complete overview of your booking. Once the tour is confirmed you get a confirmation email from us along with practical information about the tour.
One month before departure
You will receive a hotel list and final travel documents.
Upon arrival at the first hotel
You'll receive the welcome pack, which contains everything you need for the trip. There will be route descriptions, maps, luggage tags and specific local vouchers. The documents are in English.
Notice: On some tours it is necessary to either print the documents yourself or to bring them electronically.
This journey has difficulty level 2
Grade 2
Easy hiking on reasonably good trails. The day walks will last 4-6 hours in hilly terrain. Anyone in good physical condition can participate. Your luggage will be transported and you only carry a light daypack. Requires comfortable footwear such as trekking shoes or hiking boots.
Read more about our grading system here.
After booking this trip, you get access to various discount schemes.
We recommend taking out travel insurance that covers at least illness, accident, repatriation, lost holiday, luggage and liability. As a customer, you are responsible for taking out the necessary travel insurance to cover these costs.
Before taking out insurance, you should check whether you are already covered by travel or cancellation insurance through your home insurance company, credit card or similar - please note that there may be differences in insurance coverage.
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