Newsletter
Shop

The Puy Trail

The Route from Le Puy to Santiago de Compostela: a journey through some of the “Plus Beaux Villages de France”!

Stretching from Auvergne to the Basque Country via Occitanie, this route – also known as the Via Podiensis – runs from Le Puy-en-Velay to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port on the French side.

Stretching over 755 km, it is one of the busiest routes, offering a rich variety of landscapes along the way. No fewer than eight of the Plus Beaux Villages de France serve as stops along this route: Saint-Côme-d’Olt, Estaing, Conques, Lauzerte, Auvillar, La Romieu, Navarrenx and finally Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. You’ll also pass close to the villages of Larressingle, and Montréal-du-Gers. Do take a detour!

Saint-Côme-d'Olt (Aveyron)

Built within the moats of the old town, in the heart of the Lot Valley, Saint-Côme-d’Olt once provided first aid to travellers passing through the Aubrac. Saint-Côme is, in fact, one of the patron saints of nurses. Its Flamboyant Gothic church, featuring a flamboyant bell tower, the openwork bell tower of the Chapelle des Pénitents, and the octagonal roof of the Ouradou—a building erected in memory of the victims of the plague in 1586—are all architectural features not to be missed. Guided tours of the village are available throughout the year on request. Please note that a welcome and rest area for pilgrims has recently been set up in the heart of the village.

Estaing (Aveyron)

Dominated by the castle of the Counts of Estaing, which blends Romanesque, Flamboyant Gothic and Renaissance styles, Estaing is a mix of schist houses with slate roofs and beautiful Renaissance houses. Its 16th-century Gothic bridge, the gateway to the village, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Way of St James. On the first Sunday in July, the Saint-Fleuret procession takes place, featuring a parade of 150 costumed figures.

Conques (Aveyron)

A stop-off on the route, thanks to the miracles attributed to Saint Foy and the abbey church housing her relics (Conques), it is also a major centre of Romanesque art. Taking its name from the shell-like shape of its valley, it is situated between two rivers: the Ouche and the Dourdou. The houses of Conques, the oldest of which date from the late Middle Ages, boast façades combining half-timbering, yellow limestone and red sandstone, topped by splendid roofs of silver-coloured schist. Since 2018, the Last Judgement tympanum in the abbey church has been illuminated every evening from 10.15 pm to 10.45 pm, from spring until 1 November.

Lauzerte (Tarn-et-Garonne)

A former stronghold and trading town, Lauzerte still bears traces of its past: the houses of nobles and local dignitaries with their white limestone façades, the Place des Cornières, which still hosts markets today, and the ancient fortifications. Its Jardin du Pélerin, designed in the late 1990s, is a lovely spot to stop and explore photographs and poems relating to the Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.

Auvillar (Tarn-et-Garonne)

A stop-off on the Way of St James, on the banks of the Garonne, Auvillar boasts a circular market hall, unique in the South-West, surrounded by houses built of pink brick and timber-framed. Scattered throughout the village are sculptures depicting pilgrims, created by craftspeople taking part in the village’s sculpture competition held during its pottery market.

La Romieu (Gers)

Born out of the desire of two pilgrim monks on their way to Santiago de Compostela, La Romieu takes its name from the Gascon term ‘Roumiou’, meaning ‘pilgrim from Rome’. The collegiate church, founded in the 14th century by Cardinal d’Aux, a cousin of Pope Clement V, has stood the test of time and today offers visitors an unforgettable experience with its Gothic cloister and the recently restored frescoes in the sacristy.

Navarrenx (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)

France’s first fortified town, Navarrenx is a major stop on the Way of St James. Pilgrims can, in fact, stay in the former 17th-century arsenal, part of which has been converted into holiday accommodation.

Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)

A village with architecture typical of the Basque Country, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port will be the final stop in France on your journey. Its religious, military and commercial history is still evident today thanks to the citadel, the ramparts, the Rue d’Espagne and the Porte Saint-Jacques, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela.

Alternative route via Rocamadour (Lot)

Between Figeac (Lot) and La Romieu (Gers), you can take an alternative route of the Chemin du Puy, passing through, amongst others, Les Plus Beaux Villages de France:

To set off from Le Puy-en-Velay (Haute-Loire)

Would you like to set off from the legendary town of Le Puy-en-Velay in Haute-Loire and walk the 1,000 km or more to Santiago de Compostela? Here are a few tips on how to get to your starting point.

  • If you’re planning to come by car, please note that there are long-stay car parks are available, allowing you to set off on the trails with peace of mind, at a reasonable cost.
  • To travel by train, book your ticket on Oui.Sncf.
  • If you’d like to have your luggage transferred from one accommodation to another to avoid having to carry it yourself, transport companies can help you with this.

 

Not to be missed

  • The stretch between Saint-Côme-d’Olt and Estaing
  • Crossing the bridge over the River Lot, offering a magnificent view of the village of Estaing
  • The Abbey Church of Sainte-Foy in Conques: its treasury and the colourful illumination of the tympanum (from April to November)
  • The Pilgrim’s Garden in Lauzerte
  • The section between Lectoure and Condom, via La Romieu 
  • The Collegiate Church of Saint-Pierre and its cloister in La Romieu
  • Crossing the Artigues Bridge at Larressingle
  • The entrance via the Porte Saint-Jacques in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
  • On the alternative route to Rocamadour, the Basilica of Saint-Hyppolite in Rocamadour

Your stay here

Top tips – Our favourite places

You’re sure to receive a warm welcome at these partner establishments.

Holiday ideas along the Way of St James – Discover our other suggestions in “Les Plus Beaux Villages de France”: