The way of Saint James in France
CA16 - the Via Podiensis (Le Puy en Velay - Conques)

Self-guided walking tour in Auvergne & Languedoc-Roussillon on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, on the famous Via Podiensis or Le Puy route from Le Puy en Velay to Conques.

The Via Podiensis is one of the four main pilgrimage routes to the Spanish sanctuary of Santiago de Compostela from Le Puy en Velay, a Marian sanctuary since the fifth century. Since the Middle Ages, millions of pilgrims have left from Le Puy to journey to the Spanish Galicia, at the extremity of the Iberian Peninsula, to venerate the relics of Saint James, one of Christ’s apostles. This pilgrimage is today registered on the World Heritage list of UNESCO. In this first section of the hike, you will explore several different regions of France : Auvergne, Margeride, Gevaudan, the Aubrac highlands, charming and scenic in the summer months, but avoided by pilgrims in the cold of winter, when it is covered by snow and fog. In bad weather, the bells of Domerie d’Aubrac (an abbey hospital) once rang all the day and night long to guide the pilgrims towards this place of refuge. You will go down the Pays d’Olt or the Lot Valley with pleasant cities as Espalion or Estaing.Walking along the heights of the Lot Valley, you will arrive in the lovely city of Conques.

CA16 - Walking holidays summary
Self-guided tour of 12 days, 11 nights and 10 stages.
with luggage transfer - Difficulty : grade 3

Day 1 : Arrival at Puy en Velay
Day 2 : Le Puy – St Privat d’Allier (24 km)
Day 3 : St Privat – Saugues (20 km)
Day 4 : Saugues – La Claux (24 km)
Day 5 : La Claux –Aumont Aubrac (22 km)
Day 6 : Aumont – Nasbinals (26 km)
Day 7 : Nasbinals – St Chély d’Aubrac (17 km)
Day 8 : St Chély - Espalion (24 km)
Day 9 : Espalion – Estaing (13 km)
Day 10 : Estaing – Espeyrac (24 km)
Day 11 : Espeyrac – Conques (13 km)
Day 12 : Conques - Tour ends after breakfast

Click here for a complete description of this tour

CA16 Rate per person sharing a double room : 935 €
Extra for single room : +285 €
Rate for solo walker : 1235 €

CA16STB same tour without luggage transfer
Rate per person sharing a double room: 845 €
Extra for single room : +285 €
Rate for solo walker : 1235 €

2018 rate with a minimum of 2 persons per tour.