The must-see sites along the Way of St James

In 1998, UNESCO listed 71 monuments and 7 sections of footpaths as World Heritage Sites, as part of the Way of St James. Among them, you’ll find the most beautiful remnants of this great era of pilgrimage in Les Plus Beaux Villages de France.

• The Basilica of Saint-Madeleine in Vézelay(Yonne)
• Gellone Abbey in Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert (Hérault)
• Sainte-Foy Abbey Church and the bridge over the Dourdou in Conques(Aveyron)
• The Basilica of Saint-Sauveur and the Crypt of Saint-Amadour in Rocamadour (Lot)
• Notre-Dame Cathedral, the remains of the early Christian basilica and Saint-Julien Chapel in Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges (Haute-Garonne)
• Saint-Pierre Collegiate Church in La Romieu (Gers)
• The Saint-Jacques Gate at Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
• The bridge over the Lot at Estaing(Aveyron)
• The Artigues Bridge at Larressingle(Gers)
• The section between Saint-Côme-d’Olt and Estaing(Aveyron)
• The section between Lectoure and Condom, via La Romieu (Gers)

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  Abbatiale Sainte-Foy

  Abbaye

   Conques

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  Abbaye de Gellone

  Abbaye

   Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert

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  Basilique paléochrétienne et chapelle Saint-Julien

  Patrimoine mondial UNESCO

   Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges

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  Basilique Sainte-Madeleine

  Patrimoine mondial UNESCO

   Vézelay

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  Cathédrale Sainte-Marie

  Cathédrale

   Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges

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  Collégiale Saint-Pierre et son cloître

  Collégiale

   La Romieu

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  Porte Saint-Jacques

  Site et monument historiques

   Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

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  Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Rocamadour

  Patrimoine mondial UNESCO

   Rocamadour

Abbatiale Sainte-Foy

Abbatiale Sainte-Foy

Abbaye

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Description

Conques Abbey is one of the finest examples of French Romanesque art. From May to September, its tympanum depicting the Last Judgement is illuminated. The abbey's stained-glass windows, created by Soulages, ensure a truly memorable visit.

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Address

12320 CONQUES

•  Phone: 05 65 72 85 00

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Abbaye de Gellone

Abbaye de Gellone

Abbaye

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Description

The abbey church dates from the 11th, 12th and 15th centuries and features a cloister and treasury. Don't miss the stone sculpture museum, which can be accessed via the cloister.

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Address

34150 SAINT-GUILHEM-LE-DÉSERT

•  Phone: 04 67 57 44 33

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Basilique paléochrétienne et chapelle Saint-Julien

Basilique paléochrétienne et chapelle Saint-Julien

Patrimoine mondial UNESCO

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Description

The remains of a basilica of unknown date have been found, along with coins dating from the 4th century. Twenty-eight sarcophagi carved from Pyrenean marble were found in its foundations. The Chapel of Saint Julian is nearby.

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Address

31510 SAINT-BERTRAND-DE-COMMINGES

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Basilique Sainte-Madeleine

Basilique Sainte-Madeleine

Patrimoine mondial UNESCO

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Description

A jewel of Romanesque art and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the basilica captivates visitors with its carved capitals, Gothic choir and 62-metre-long nave, not to mention the relics of Saint Mary Magdalene.

Each time you visit, allow yourself to be captivated by the interplay of light that brings out every carved detail.

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Address

89450 VÉZELAY

•  Phone: 03 86 33 23 69

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Cathédrale Sainte-Marie

Cathédrale Sainte-Marie

Cathédrale

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Description

This cathedral dates from the 11th and 14th centuries. Its tympanum depicts the Adoration of the Magi, the Virgin and Child, and Saint Bertrand. Inside, visitors can admire a set of 66 carved wooden choir stalls and a 16th century corner organ.

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Address

31510 SAINT-BERTRAND-DE-COMMINGES

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Collégiale Saint-Pierre et son cloître

Collégiale Saint-Pierre et son cloître

Collégiale

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Description

The collegiate complex at La Romieu was built in the 14th century and comprises several parts, including a church, a cloister, two towers and a Cardinal’s Palace.

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Address

32480 LA ROMIEU

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Porte Saint-Jacques

Porte Saint-Jacques

Site et monument historiques

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Description

Inscrite au Patrimoine Mondial de l'Humanité au titre des chemins de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle, cette porte est un passage obligé des pèlerins de Compostelle vers l'Espagne.

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Address

64220 SAINT-JEAN-PIED-DE-PORT

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Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Rocamadour

Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Rocamadour

Patrimoine mondial UNESCO

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Description

Climb the 216 steps of the Grand Staircase to reach the heart of the pilgrimage site: the Basilica of Saint-Sauveur and its seven chapels. These include the Chapel of Our Lady, which houses the famous 12th-century Black Madonna.

This is a place steeped in history and emotion that is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Address

46500 ROCAMADOUR

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Go further along the route...

> Start with the route from Le Puy-en-Velay (Haute-Loire)—it’s the route with the most ‘Plus Beaux Villages de France’ to discover...

> And also...

• The Arles route
• The Pyrenean Piedmont route
• The Vézelay route
• The must-see heritage of the Way of St James