Walk the Camino Frances, following trails through south-west France, from the imposing cathedral in Le Puy-en-Velay to magnificent medieval Conques. This stage of the camino crosses the volcanic landscape of the Auvergne, across the Margeride and Aubrac plateaux to the Lot valley, which are rich in history, culture and pilgrimage sites. Our hiking adventure finishes in Conques, listed as one of the beautiful villages in France. Discover its narrow lanes, charming timber-frame houses and magnificent architecture. A fitting place to end the first stretch of the Camino!
Day 1 Le Puy en Velay: Rendezvous in Le Puy, enjoy a guided visit of Le Puy and its magnificent cathedral, starting point for pilgrims.
Day 2 Monistrol: Hike across the Velay, an area famous for its green lentils and black sheep, enjoy a picnic lunch in the great outdoors.
Day 3 Sauges: Hike across Allier Gorge to the Madeleine Chapel, carved out of the cliff face in the 17th century.
Day 4 Les Faux: Discover the Margeride plateau with its characteristic villages, secluded hamlets, stone crosses and pastures enclosed by drystone walls. Visit a local cheesemaker for lunch.
Day 5 Montgros: Hike across the Margeride to Aumont, gateway to the Aubrac, cross the vast and remote plateau of Aubrac; a region of wild flowers, old stones barns, dry stone walls, and very few people.
Day 6 St Chely d’Aubrac: Cross open hillsides, travel along grassy drove roads, through gorgeous beech forests to the highest point of the camino,( 1368m), pass through the great transhumance centre of the Aubrac, visit its Romanesque church dating to 1220 and Tour des Anglais.
Day 7 Estaing: Hike to the pretty walled village of St Come d’Olt, with its medieval gateways and twisted church spire. Leave the Massif Central region and crosses into the Lot Valley, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Day 8 Conques: Walk along the river Lot, to the tiny village of Golinhac, hike to one of the finest hill-towns in France, Conques, with its magnificent Romanesque Abbey of St Foy, and the end of our pilgrimage.
French Camino: tour details
| Duration | 8 nights/9 days |
| Difficulty | Moderate 12 to 18 km/day across moors, through forests on well-marked trails, with some hilly sections |
| Start/Finish | Le Puy en Velay/ Rodez |
| Inclusions | Eight nights accommodation in comfortable hotels; all breakfasts/dinners and meals as listed in the itinerary; all activities listed in the itinerary; all transfers, tips and gratuities; the services of a professional tour guide. |
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