THE PILGRIM'S WAY: France: Le Puy to Conques
14 days/13 nights: 11 days walking

Trip grade:	Moderate: (3.0 - 6.5 hours of walking each day)
Trip Dates:	10-23 September, 2010
Tour Cost:	$3285.00 per person, twin/sharing Single room supplement $525.00
Accommodation:	Hotels, guest houses and B&Bs, and an abbey; twin/sharing. En suite rooms where available (nearly all nights)
Maximum group size:	10 places only!

This tour follows one of the major pilgrimage routes through France, a part of the ancient road to Santiago de Compostela. We will start from Le Puy-en-Velay and follow the GR 65 to the town of Conques. This is the first stage of the Chemin de St Jacques (the Way of St James).

Pilgrims have been gathering in the beautiful town of Le Puy for a thousand years to visit the cathedral before setting off en route to Spain, to worship at the tomb of the Apostle St James. Our tour will walk in the footsteps of these pilgrims, through the Auvergne, over the high plateau of the Aubrac and along the wooded Lot Valley to Conques.

This is a walk through history, culture and lovely French countryside, staying in small towns and villages as we go. We walk between three and six hours each day, allowing plenty of time to appreciate our surroundings. A mid-tour rest day also provides an opportunity to visit the spectacular Millau Viaduct designed by Sir Norman Foster. We stay in small hotels, guest houses and an ancient abbey. We carry only day packs and our luggage is moved as we walk. People wanting additional rest days/part days can travel in the baggage bus.

In Conques the Romanesque Abbey church, dedicated to St Foy, has been listed by UNESCO, and is still a site of pilgrimage today. It dominates the beautifully preserved medieval town, built of golden stone. Conques has been designated one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France.

Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Le Puy which has easy train connections from Paris.
Le Puy is situated in the midst of some spectacular volcanic landforms. Explore the old town centre and walk up to the Cathedral to visit the shrine of St James and the 12th century cloisters. The steep walk up to St. Michel's chapel, built in 962 AD is well worth the effort. Overnight Le Puy (DBB)

Day 2: Walking Le Puy to St. Privat d'Allier (23.5 kms: 6.5 hours)
Our way follows the ancient pilgrim's path out of town and climbs steadily through farm land growing the famous Puy lentils. Past ancient volcanic plugs to Montbonnet before descending to St. Privat. Overnight St Privat (DBB)


Day 3: St Privat d'Allier to Saugues (19 kms: 5.5 hours)
Leaving St Privat we drop into the gorge of the upper Allier before climbing to the Gevaudan Plateau. A couple of important pilgrimage chapels to visit en route. Overnight Saugues (DBB)

Day 4: Saugues to Chanaleilles (13.5 kms: 4.5 hours)
An easy day of rambling through high pasture and woodland. Overnight Chanaleilles (DBB)

Day 5: Chanaleilles to St Alban sur Limagnole (24.5 kms: 6 hours)
We ascend to the Chapel at the Hospitalet Pass before winding down through forest to St Alban. Overnight St Alban (DBB)

Day 6: St Alban to Aumont-Aubrac (15 kms; 5.0 hours)
A gentle descent through the valley of the Truyere. Some well preserved old buildings and a good range of shops. Overnight Aumont (DBB)

Day 7: A well deserved rest day!
Time to sleep in, wash some clothes, or
perhaps take the train to Millau this afternoon. The journey is beautiful and the old town centre is interesting, but the real attraction is the Millau Viaduct which was opened in 2004. Overnight Aumont (DBB)

Day 8: Aumont-Aubrac to Nasbinals (26 kms: 6.5-7.0 hours)
The Aubrac is a high open plateau with sculpted granite outcrops and carpets of wild flowers; grand views over wild country. Overnight Nasbinals (DBB)

Day 9: Nasbinals to St Chely d'Aubrac (17 kms: 4.5 hours)
We continue our crossing of the Aubrac, passing the C13 church in the village of Aubrac, near the highest point on our walk at around 1300 metres. Descent into St Chely, with views into the Lot Valley. Overnight St Chely (DBB)

Day 10: St Chely d'Aubrac to Espalion (22kms: 5.5 hours)
Continue descending gradually into the Lot Valley, which we reach at the beautifully preserved, medieval town of St Come d' Olt, which has also been selected as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France. Follow the Lot to Espalion. Overnight Espalion (DBB)

Day 11: Espalion to Estaing (11 kms: 3.5 hours)
Time to explore historic Espalion before a short beautiful walk along the Lot to Estaing, another lovely medieval village dominated by an eccentric castle. Overnight Estaing (DBB)

Day 12: Estaing to Espeyrac (25 kms: 6.5 hours)
We briefly follow the Lot before climbing through forest and traversing to Golinhac and descending to Espeyrac. Overnight Espeyrac (DBB)

Day 13: Espeyrac to Conques (13 kms: 3.5 hours)
Conques has been recognized as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France. The Romanesque Abbey church is a listed UNESCO site of cultural significance. Time this afternoon to explore this Overnight Conques (DBB)

Day 14: Our tour ends in Conques after breakfast.
Onward rail connections are available via either St Christophe or Rodez.