The Le Puy Camino Explained

Starting the French Camino in Le Puy en Velay
Starting the French Camino in Le Puy en Velay

The Le Puy Camino, Explained

The Le Puy Camino, or French Way of St James, is often described as the most beautiful of all Camino routes, and because it stretches across the scenic villages of France, it's easy to understand why it deserves this title.

In this article, we explain everything you need to know about the Le Puy Camino. Learn about the different stages of the trail, the different names used, and the highlights of each section. Of course, if you would like further information or advice, just get in touch with our friendly team of experts.
 
Discover many pretty villages on the Le Puy Camino in France

What is the Le Puy Camino?

Pilgrims seeking to walk the Camino de Santiago across Spain needed a route to get to the start point in St Jean Pied de Port, Spain. For pilgrims coming from countries such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Poland, they needed to walk across France. So the Le Puy Camino was established. It is also known as the French Way of St James or the Via Podiensis.
 
The earliest recordings of pilgrims on this way dates back to 950AD, the popularity of the Le Puy Camino today can be traced back to more recent times when the long distance GR65 hiking route was created in the 1970s. As more modern day travellers began to seek ways to Santiago, the Le Puy Camino stood out as the most spectacular, taking in some of the most scenic parts of France.
 
Picnic in Conques

Where does the Le Puy Camino route go?

This Camino journey takes pilgrims across France, beginning in a beautiful French town called Le Puy en Velay. The route then travels across the high plateaus of the Massif Central, the volcanic highlands of Velay, through rustic villages, past impressive castles, quaint villages, a myriad of monuments and through the picturesque French countryside. 
 
For today’s travellers, the Le Puy Camino provides one of the most beautiful of all the ways. Unlike the Camino Francés, the most popular Camino trail in Spain, it avoids major cities and towns.
 
the full french way of st james
 
Once pilgrims arrive in St Jean Pied de Port near the border of Spain. they have finished the Le Puy Way. They can then continue on to the Camino Frances to reach Santiago de Compostela. This is the most popular of all Camino routes. 
 
Rush hour in Le Chaze

How can I walk the Le Puy Camino?

We've broken the Le Puy Camino into 7 stages. These are:
We offer self guided walking tours for each of those stages. Due to its popularity, we've also combined stages 1 and 2 into a single tour, the Le Puy to Conques trip, and if you have the time and energy you can complete the whole journey on the Full Le Puy Camino tour.
 

Which Stage of the Le Puy Camino is best for you?

While each section of the Le Puy Camino has plenty of beauty and local charm to offer - and really the best experience is eventually walking them all - we've highlighted the standouts for each stage.

Stage 1: Le Puy to Aumont Tour

Overlooking Le Puy

On this 5 day self guided walk you experience one of the prettiest sections of the trail - marked by magnificent architecture, crosses, statues and grain silos. Plus you will learn about the tale of the “Bête du Gévaudan” (Beast of the Gévaudan).

It was an extraordinary experience. UTracks were very professional and everything went smoothly and perfect. M. Gaitini

> View the Le Puy to Aumont stage of the Le Puy Camino.

Stage 2: Aumont to Conques Tour

Ready to hit the Camino trail! |  <i>Allie Peden</i>

Enjoy the camaraderie of other pilgrims on this self guided, 8 day walk. Cross the rugged countryside and the Aubrac plateau, the oldest European volcanic massif and walk through picturesque towns, past the roadside crosses, chapels, and looming fortresses that marked the way for the faithful in centuries past.

Great hiking area, villages are small and beautiful with laid back feel. E. Machaba.

> View the Aumont to Conques stage of the Le Puy Camino.

Stage 1 & 2: Le Puy to Conques Tour

A pilgrim rests near Aubrac on the Le Puy Camino in France

Enjoy the camaraderie of other pilgrims on this self guided, 8 day walk. Cross the rugged countryside and the Aubrac plateau, the oldest European volcanic massif and walk through picturesque towns, past the roadside crosses, chapels, and looming fortresses that marked the way for the faithful in centuries past.

Our trip was excellent. The accommodation was variable between hotels and chambres d’hôtes, always clean and comfortable. The Way itself is very easy to follow as it is well marked so we hardly needed a map but the information provided on the app was useful to plan the next day’s walking. Food at the accommodation was all good and baggage transfer worked very well. A great route to walk and a trip we would gladly do again and highly recommend. S. Humphries.

> View the Le Puy to Conques stage of the Le Puy Camino.

Stage 3: Conques to Cahors Tour

The Valentré Bridge in Cahors

From the pretty town of Conques, traverse the Lot Valley and cross vast limestone plateaus covered in forests of oak, chestnut, boxwood and Montpellier maple and dotted with megaliths and other historic relics. The plateau, cut by the Lot and Cele rivers, is home to interesting villages and a rich gastronomic tradition. Explore the Champollion museum in Figeac and tempt your tastebuds at local markets brimming with local culinary specialties on this inspiring walk through timeless scenes.

Our walk from Conques to Cahors was an awesome experience. Walking in the beautiful French countryside - the oak forests, fields of cows, ancient monuments and historic towns. Then ending the day at good hotels/gîtes with a yummy meal made it very special. They organised it brilliantly, and we’re looking forward to doing another walk next year. D. Crewes.

> View the Conques to Cahors leg of the Le Puy Camino.

Stage 4: Cahors to Lectoure Tour

Lectoure aire sur Adour

This part of the French Way of St James journey takes you across limestone plateaus cut by small valleys, then on to the plain of the Garonne. The trail is lined with ancient stone walls. After Moissac, the landscape changes to rolling hills and lush valleys where fields of corn and sunflower are intermingled with plum orchards. This is a 7-day self-guided walk.

Everything well organised. Beautiful countryside and very interesting towns. K. Quinn.

> View the Cahors to Lectoure section of the Le Puy Camino.

Stage 5: Lectoure to Aire sur l'Adour

Hikers on the trail between Lectoure and Aire sur l'Adour

This stage between Lectoure and Aire sur l'Adour is through the heart of the Armagnac region. Leaving the limestone coloured landscapes surrounding Lectoure, the trail weaves through the Gers with its open farmland interspersed with historic villages dominated by their cathedrals and churches, bullrings and bastides. Markets with an abundance of local products and fields of corn and vines lay testament to the areas deep connections to the land and the strong gastronomic traditions of the region.

> View the Lectoure to Aire sur l'Adour stage of the Le Puy Camino.

Stage 6: Aire sur l'Adour to the Pyrenees

Follow route GR65 on the Le Puy Camino in France

Walking from Aire sur l'Adour offers an insight into the contrasting Béarn and Basque regions of France which have a unique culture, language and cuisine. The landscape is inspiring as you walk between woods and open fields, past a multitude of chapels and historic sights and take time to absorb the history of the villages passed, once resting points for thousands of pilgrims during the Middle Ages. Arriving into St Jean Pied de Port through the Porte Saint-Jacques is a highlight and a rewarding end to the journey along the Le Puy Way.

> View the Aire sur l'Adour to the Pyrenees final section of the Le Puy Camino.

Full Le Puy Camino

Walking towards Nasbinals

Don't miss a thing on the entire Le Puy Camino route, which takes 40 days. There is flexibility to add in rest days if desired.

 

One of our favourite holidays. A great way to see France, experience regional French cuisine and culture, and connect with other walkers. Having UTracks arrange all our accommodation, baggage transfer and half board removed a lot of stress. C. Muir.

 

> View the Full Le Puy Camino.

Do you want to cycle the Le Puy Camino?

Discover the Way of St James Way by bike
If you're a cyclist, you can cycle the entire Le Puy route in just 16 days on our The Le Puy Camino by Bike tour. This 16 day self-guided journey takes pilgrims from Le Puy en Velay to the Pyrenees at St Jean Pied de Port, passing a multitude of churches and monasteries, resembling a travelling museum of Romanesque art. With some steep climbs, followed by fast descents, this trip is ideally suited to fit cyclists keen to extend their experience to an iconic route. At night your hosts in the guesthouses and small hotels will ensure that you are well fed and immersed in their particular region with its culinary specialties.
 
Trip was well paced. Accommodations were good. Food was good. Good view of rural France. L. Parent.
 
 

Do you love food?

Group lunch in South West, France

Who doesn't love food! Given the popularity of divine French cuisine and the equal popularity of pilgrimage walking in France, we've created the Food Lover's French Camino tour. 

Beginning in Le Puy en Velay in the Auvergne, the journey on foot is a rich sensory experience taking in the best sections of the Camino between Le Puy and St Jean Pied de Port, including time in the historic and beautiful towns of Conques, Rocamadour, Saint Come d'Olt and Saint-Cirque-Lapopie. The foodie highlights are endless, with tastings of delectable cheeses, wines and truffles, interspersed with the rustic cooking style for which the region is renowned. From lunch at a small 100 year old family restaurant, to wine and Armagnac tasting, market visits, truffle hunting demonstrations and fine dining, this is a full-bodied experience.

A great trip full of wonderful experiences with the right balance of walking and bus travel. We visited some beautiful villages and had some unique opportunities to experience this wonderful part of France. Highly recommend this tour as it was truly fabulous.
I. McNicol.

> View the Food Lover's French Camino tour.


More Information about the Le Puy Camino

 
Are you inspired to do the Le Puy Camino? Let us know which section takes your pick in the comment section below.
 
  
 
Le Puy, Via Podiensis, France, Camino, Camino Le Puy Way, Le Puy Camino, French Way of St James

Comments (2)

Edward Romano

I would like to walk The St James Way through France.

last year
William

Hi Edward,

Thanks for reaching out - that's amazing to hear! Our team will get back to you over email. Enjoy your walk along the St James Way in France!

Buen Camino,
William

last year
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