Make your own way to le Puy-en-Velay and the joining hotel. It is an ancient town surrounded by a volcanic landscape, dominated by rocky peaks rising from the valley floor. We recommend that you allow at least half a day to explore. Take a stroll through town and warm up your walking legs climbing the 267 steps to the Chapel of St Michael d'Aiguilhe, built by Godescalc after his pilgrimage to Santiago in AD951, for views over the town and surrounding area.You can also visit some of the many museums and the Romanesque Cathedral of Notre-Dame.

Meals:  Nil

The Le Puy-en-Velay cathedral is the starting point for your walk and you will ascend rapidly from the Puy Basin. Crossing the Velay Mountains and passing fields of lentils, you'll enter the heart of the volcanic chain of the Deves before arriving in the small village of St Privat d’Allier. Distance 23km/14.3mi, +572m/1877ft, -376m/1234ft

Meals:  B,D

Most of today is spent crossing the valley. You will pass through the village of Rochegude, famous for its St Jacques Chapel, where a descent to the river at Monistrol will follow. Whilst the trail is easy to follow, the following ascent is quite sustained (500m/1640ft over 11km/6.8mi) just beyond Rognac from where the route leads you to the historic village of Saugues, famous for its mushrooms and wooden shoes and a meeting point for pilgrims coming from the Auvergne. Distance 19km/11.9mi, +927m/3040ft, -829m/2720ft

Meals:  B,D

Today is very picturesque as you cross the Margeride Plateau. With vast grassy plains and moors of broom and heather, this part of the trail is relatively easy going - although gently ascending most of the day. Amongst the most interesting sights are St Roch Chapel or L’Hospitalet du Dauvage Chapel, founded in 1198 as a hospital for pilgrims and travellers. Overnight is usually in Les Faux or at times, subject to availability, further along at St Alban sur Limagnole. Distance to Les Faux: 27.5km/17mi, +611m/2004ft, -628m/2060ft. Distance to St Alban: 32km/20.25mi,+716m/2350ft, -829m/2404ft Option: It's possible to split this stage (ie add an extra night) and continue to Les Faux/St Alban the following day. A supplement applies, please ask our team and this must be requested at time of booking. The overnight stay will either be in Le Villeret / Chanaleilles (rooms have private facilities - distance 11.5km/7.2mi) or Le Sauvage (all beds are single width, the food served is mainly home grown, rooms have shared facilities - distance 19.5km/12.2mi) dependent on availability.

Meals:  B,D

From Les Faux the trail continues to the town of St Alban then descends into the Truyere valley. From St Alban, traverse the vast plain of the Margeride before reaching Aumont-Aubrac. On the way, admire the Roman church of the Estrets, reworked several times and surmounted by a bell tower wall with three openings supporting a small steeple. Continue to Aumont where you stay tonight. Distance from Les Faux: 22.5km/13.75mi, +383m/1256ft, -292m/964ft Distance from Saint Alban: 15.3km/9.6mi

Meals:  B,D

From Aumont-Aubrac in “Terre de Peyre” (land of stone), the trail crosses some beautiful pine forests before joining the Aubrac plateau, a vast expanse of pastures punctuated by “burons” (in the Auvergne region this is a shelter where the cowherd lives and makes cheese during the summer). Here you are in the country of the famous Laguiole knife, an indispensable tool to cut the cheese of the same name. Arrive at your hotel/guest house in Nasbinals. Distance 26km/16.2mi, +392m/1286ft, -264m/866ft (highest point approx 1250m)

Meals:  B,D

This stage takes you through the heart of the Aubrac plateau, where the ancestral rite of transhumance is still practiced (the transhumance fair is on the Sunday nearest 25th of May). At lunch time, you can try the regional specialties at a buron or country inn, where local dishes are available such as the “aligot” (mashed potato with cheese and garlic), assorted cooked meats from the mountain or a good crepe omelette. In Aubrac you can see remnants of an ancient “Domerie” (name given to the hospital in Aubrac in medieval times). Overnight hotel in St-Chely d'Aubrac. Distance 16km/10mi, +207m/679ft, -583m/1912ft (highest point approx 1350m)

Meals:  B,D

Today you leave the country of the “Boraldes” (name given to the brooks descending from the Aubrac) to reach the Lot valley. Here you are near St-Côme d’Olt, listed among the “most beautiful villages of France”. There are remnants of numerous bridges constructed over the Lot river which made the pilgrims' crossings easier. Continue to St-Come d'Olt, where the usual accommodation has a pool. Distance 16.5km/10/3mi, +248m/814ft, -702m/2303ft (highest point approx 920m) Subject to availability you may stay at Espalion further along the trail. Espalion has a lovely old stone bridge over the River Lot, the Pont Vieux, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has a lovely river front: the buildings with characteristic wooden balconies were once tanneries. The Friday morning market is reputed to be one of the best in the area. Distance 21.5km/13.4mi, +330m/1082ft, -715m/2345ft

Meals:  B,D

Continue your walk following the stream of the Lot river to the lovely village of Estaing, with its Gothic bridge and imposing chateau. There is one short, quite steep ascent at around the 4km point. The annual St Fleuret fair has been held in Estaing since the 14th century (on the first Sunday of July). On this occasion, a great procession travels through the village in period costume. Overnight hotel in Estaing. Distance from Saint-Côme d'Olt 20.8km/13mi, +500m/1640ft, -559m/1834ft (highest point approx 490m) Distance from Espalion 12km/7.5mi, +210m/689ft, -255m/837ft

Meals:  B,D

Today is a straightforward walk, the last stage in the Lot valley. An ascent (approx 330m) is completed early on so you can enjoy the views across the hills as you walk along the plateau to Golinhac. Golinhac is remarkable for its church., which preserves the Roman foundations of a Benedictine priory, once dependent on Conques abbey. At the southern entrance of the village of Golinhac, there is a stony cross with a small sculpted pilgrim. In Espeyrac in 960, according to the tale, a pilgrim who became blind after a mugging, recovered sight by making an invocation to the patron saint of Conques. Overnight in Golinhac. If the usual hotel is fully booked, you'll stay at alternative accommodation where dinner is not included. Distance 14km/8.8mi, +512m/1680ft, -183m/600ft (highest point approx 660m)

Meals:  B,D

The walk to Conques is very often a favourite for pilgrims, as the view over the village is breathtaking if you come from the east. While descending into the deep valley of the Ouche, you will arrive near the Dourdou river (which flows into the Lot river, to the north) and discover this village with pointed roofs over which the towers of the Saint Foy abbey-church dominate. Its tympanum of the Last Judgment is a true Romanesque art piece. Relax in one of the many bars to experience the atmosphere of this lovely town. Distance 21km/13mi, +373m/1224ft, -757m/2483ft (highest point approx 670m)

Meals:  B,D

Today you are free to discover Conques. Its roofs are dominated by the towers of the Romanesque Abbey-Church Sainte Foy. The doorway of the abbey, the Tympanum, is one of the world's most important examples of Romanesque sculpture, and don't miss 'Le Tresor' with its fine collections of medieval gold and jewels.

Meals:  B

The trail this morning heads to the surrounding hills where the view over the village of Conques is striking. Along the way, visit a small chapel dedicated to Saint Roch, pilgrim saint of Montpellier. Here he is depicted as a pilgrim with a scallop shell. This evening your accommodation will be in Livinhac. Distance 23.5km/14.6mi, +671m/2201ft, -753m/2470ft

Meals:  B

Walking from Livinhac you will reach the hilltop village of Montredon, dominated by its church Saint Michel and Romanesque Chapel of St Mary. The route then crosses the countryside to arrive in Figeac. Figeac is a substantial medieval town in the Lot department, east of Cahors on the River Célé. It has an extensive and interesting historical centre, dating in part from the 9th century. There are also many houses and small palaces from the 13th-16th centuries, when it was an important trade centre. It is the birthplace of Champollion, decipherer of the Egyptian hieroglyphs, and you can visit the excellent museum dedicated to his work. Distance 24km/14.9mi, +507m/1663ft, -517m/1696ft

Meals:  B

The trail crosses the river Célé and ascends the limestone plateau where you can admire the magnificent "Cazels" or "Bories" - little drystone shepherd huts. Arrive in Gréalou, with its 12th century Romanesque church Our Lady of the Assumption. Continue to Ussac and your accommodation. ( subject to availability, overnight may be in Grealou, where the accommodation has shared facilities). Distance to Grealou 20km/12.42mi Distance to Ussac 24.7km/15.4mi, +412m/1352ft, -231m/758ft

Meals:  B,D

The trail today descends along the Lot valley to the small town of Cajarc. It is in the heart of the valley, on a very scenic stretch of river as it passes through the Regional Natural Parc of the Causses de Quercy. Here you can visit the ruins of a castle dating from the thirteenth century and the chapel of St Margaret, listed as an historical monument since 1941. The site of the town has been occupied since the Roman period, with the fortified part of the village dating from the 12th century onwards, when the town prospered due to its port. Distance 11km/6.83mi, +109m/358ft, -338m/1108ft

Meals:  B

The trail continues along the arid plateau of Limogne en Quercy. The rainwater seeps into the rocks to form a network of underground rivers, and the region is also rich in caves, some of which contain cave paintings. The Causse de Limogne (the group of limestone plateaus in the Massif Central) also contains many dolmens. It's an easy day’s walk, allowing you plenty of time to take in the lovely scenery. Limogne en Quercy is famous for its truffle fair, usually held on Sunday mornings from December to March and in Summer. There is a Sunday market (also a Friday market in season). Distance 19km/11.9mi, +353m/1158ft, -203m/666ft

Meals:  B,D

A great walk today as you continue across “le parc naturel regional des Causses de Quercy”. Along the way you'll see the dolmens (megalithic tombs built of stone) and other historic monuments and sights of interest: old windmills, wells, dry stone walls and a pretty monolithic cross (carved from a single block) along the route. The relative isolation of the plateau has created a quiet life for the villages, its farms and houses. If you get the chance, try the region’s most celebrated delicacy: the black truffle. Distance 25km/15.6mi, +203m/666ft, -240m/787ft

Meals:  B,D

The trail takes you along the Cami Ferrat, an ancient trade route between Cahors and Caylus. You'll pass many stone shepherd shelters, ‘caselle’, which are unique to the region. As you walk into Cahors, you'll enjoy fantastic views. It's nestled in a U-shaped bend of the Lot River and to arrive you cross the famous bridge Valentré: an emblem of the city and a well-known pilgrim milestone. Once a major financial and trading centre during the Middle Ages, Cahors' rich heritage is evident in its fine buildings. It's also know for wine, predominantly its AOC Cahors, an intense red. The region's wine making dates from Ancient Rome, with vines being planted in the area since around 50 BC. It is the largest city on the Le Puy Camino with a population of over 22,000 inhabitants. On Saturday mornings, Cahors market (voted one of France's top 25) takes place at the foot of the magnificent Cathedral of Saint-Etienne. Try the local pastis, its famous apple cake. Distance 22km/13.8mi, +230m/754ft, -385m/1263ft

Meals:  B

Leaving Cahors, the walk starts with a demanding climb, giving you a good view of the city and bridge down to the valley. You'll then continue to the Causses limestone plateau. You will pass the villages of Labastide-Marnhac before arriving in the little village of Lascabanes, where you find a lovely chapel. Lascabanes had a pilgrims' hospital in the 15th century and the tiny church still offers a pilgrim blessing every day at 6pm. Distance 22km/13.7mi, +414m/1358ft, -355m/1165ft

Meals:  B,D

The trail today leads you into the Tarn and Garonne region, with a few ascents and descents all the way to Lauzerte. In spring you can enjoy the rich flora, particularly the presence of many orchids. Later you reach the medieval town of Lauzerte, located on top of a hill and visible from miles away. Founded in the 12th Century by the Count of Toulouse, it is one of the “most beautiful villages of France”. The village is in the heart of the AOC Chasselas de Moissac wine region and is also known for its Quercy melon production. Overnight Lauzerte. Distance 25km/15.5mi, +616m/2021ft, -593m/1945ft

Meals:  B,D

Today is a long but quite easy walking day, as you make your way on quiet countryside tracks, crossing woodlands, crop fields and vineyards. This morning you pass by the village of Durfort, one of few in the region not to have a church. The vegetation after Durfort is lush with forests. Near the Tarn valley, orchards (apples, plums, pears, peaches, cherries, kiwis and melons) replace the vineyards. Moissac was formerly an important stop on the road to Santiago de Compostela for pilgrims coming from Geneva. Here you can visit the prestigious Abbey of Saint-Pierre with its UNESCO World Heritage cloister. Take a walk along the pont Canal de Cacor, a 356m canal bridge which allows the Garonne lateral canal to cross the Tarn river. Distance 28km/17.4mi, +469m/1538ft, -611m/2004ft

Meals:  B,D

On leaving Moissac, pass by its abbey and continue along the Tarn before returning to the Garonne and its lateral canal. You soon enter the Lomagne or "hunchback Gascogne", an area of natural beauty. Straddling the Tarn et Garonne and the Gers, this former dependency of the Duchy of Gascony is a land of white garlic, interesting houses and churches. Today's destination is the village of Auvillar, built on a promontory and classified as another of the "Most beautiful villages in France". With its circular market built in 1824, its clock tower and old stone houses, there is much to see around the town. Distance 22.4km/14mi, +334m/1096ft, -300m/984ft

Meals:  B,D

Today you will leave the "Lot" department to enter the farmlands of “Le Gers”. The walk takes you to the lovely village of Flamarens, with its castle built in the 13th century. Distance 14km/8.7mi, +364m/1194ft, -275m/902ft

Meals:  B,D

Continue your Camino walk to Miradoux, a former bastide founded in 1253, the oldest in the department. Built on a small promontory, the town has character-filled stone houses, evidence of the area's rich history. Further along the trail is the lovely town of Lectoure, built on a rocky outcrop high above the hills of Lomagne. This is Armagnac región, the famous brandy! Known as one of the oldest cities in the Gers, Lectoure's foundation dates back to the Gallo-Roman period. With its imposing Cathedral and Chateau, once home to the Counts of Armagnac, the town has a colourful history such as the seige of Louis XI in 1473. If you are here on a Friday, there is a fabulous market in the morning that showcases the region's gastronomical delights. Distance 19km/11.9mi, +274m/999ft, -299m/981ft

Meals:  B,D

Leaving Lectoure and the Ger River behind, the trail takes you to Marsolan, where on the terrace of the remains of the old hospital Saint Jacques at the entrance to the village you can take in the impressive view of the Auchie Gascon Valley. Continuing through fields and woods, the trail descends gently to La Romieu. Here you can visit the 14th century Collegiate Church of St Pierre La Romieu whose towers resemble a castle and whose cloisters are a 'must-see'. It's also called the "village of cats" because of the many sculpted cats you'll see around town, the work of Maurice Serreau. Distance 18.5km/11.5mi, +300m/984ft, -301m/984ft

Meals:  B,D

Leaving La Romieu the expansive views of the open countryside of the Gers are inspiring. It's an ideal walking environment, best before the midday sun sets in. The area represents the transition between the 'haute' Armagnac around Lectoure (also called White Armagnac due to the limestone found throughout the area), the 'bas' Armagnac around Eauze and the Armagnac 'Noir', where thick black oak woods are found and more than half of the wine crops of Armagnac are located. Cereals, sunflowers, orchards and vegetable crops also flourish, as well as garlic and melon. On the way you'll pass La Chapelle Sainte Germaine, a restored church, with great views over the countryside. Condom is one of the principal Armagnac towns and is located at a spur of the rivers Gele and Baise. The key attraction is the Gothic styled cathedral of St Peter's, the last built in the Languedoc style. Distance 13km/8.1mi, +217m/712ft, -316m/1036ft

Meals:  B,D

En route to Montréal-du-Gers we recommend a 15 minute detour to visit the tiny fortified town of Larresingle, which was the fortress of the Bishops of Condom in the Middle Ages and another of the 'most beautiful villages in France', referred to by the locals as the "Carcassonne of Gers". Further along the way you pass the Pont d'Artigues, a Romanesque bridge over the Osse. It was also the site of a pilgrim hospital and a church but there are no remains of these buildings today. A little further along you come across the Eglise de Routges, the oldest church in the region, before arriving at Montréal-du-Gers. This interesting bastide town was one of the first English fortified towns of Gascogne (1289). It has a central square surrounded by arcades, the 13th century Church of Ste Marie and historic houses. Distance 16.5km/10.3mi, +238m/780ft, -209m/685ft

Meals:  B,D

The trail this morning takes you along quiet trails lined with the vines of the Armagnac region and past farm houses. An alternative route leads to the hamlet of Séviac and its Gallo-Roman site (baths and 4th century mosaic). Passing by the village of Lamothe, with its 13th century guard tower, you continue along a flat path to the former Roman town of Eauze. The Gothic cathedral is worth a visit, while other attractions include the museum with its Roman coin collection, an Andalusian style bullring and numerous historic houses. Distance 17km/10.6mi, +198m/650ft, -155m/508ft

Meals:  B,D

Before leaving Eauze take the time to stroll around this Gers town, viewing the slender steeple of Saint Luperc to the half-timbered house called 'la maison dite de Jeanne d'Albret'. The route continues today on a fairly flat trail through vines, walnut groves and open countryside. In Manciet, about half way along the day's walk, there is a bullring used for cattle races, which are held on the second Sunday in September to coincide with the village fete. Passing the church of St Jean Baptiste de la Commanderie de Saint Christie de l'Armagnac there are some small descents and ascents before the path leads into Nogaro. Its name is taken from Nogarium which means 'a place planted with walnuts'. The town has a bullring and a collegiate 12th Century Romanesque church. Distance 20km/12.4mi, +269m/882ft, -297m/974ft

Meals:  B

Today you will mainly be walking alongside cereal crops and farmland, and passing some of the prettiest villages and hamlets on the entire route. On the last stretch vineyards become rarer and the landscape changes to an area that is tree covered with maritime pines, oaks and chestnuts. There is quite a bit of road walking but not much traffic, mainly tractors. Barcelonne du Gers and Aire sur l’Adour are neighbouring towns by the river Adour. Barcelonne-du-Gers is known for its AOC Saint-Mont wine and its architectural and historical heritage, which bears witness to a rich past. Aire sur l'Adour has a lower section by the river which is dominated by the St Jean Baptiste cathedral, and a high town or Mas d'Aire, which is dominated by the Eglise de Sainte Quitterie, where a Benedictine monastery once stood. Distance to Barcelonne 25km/15.6mi, +207m/679ft, -267m/875ft

Meals:  B,D

You'll wander through lush green countryside with hamlets and ancient buildings such as medieval chapels and wash-houses (“lavoirs”). The snow-capped Pyrenees come into view as you enter the Pyrenees-Atlantiques department. Pass the magnificent 11th century Church of Miramont Sensacq, formerly dedicated to St James. Overnight Miramont-Sensacq. Distance: 20km/12.5mi, +416m/1364ft, -253m/830ft

Meals:  B,D

Today the trail continues through the beautiful Béarn region. With the Pyrenees to the south, you'll cross rolling hills, pass the town of Arzacq Arraziguet, a bastide town built in the 11th century with two main squares and two “lavoirs, and many villages such as Louvigny. Distance 26.8km/16.75mi, +481m/1578ft, -437m/1433ft

Meals:  B,D

Today your walk takes you to Larreule with its Benedictine Monastery and then Uzan, where you can visit the beautiful rural church of Sainte Quitterie and a stone fountain. From Pomps you continue to Arthez-de-Béarn, with its distinctive Basque architecture. Stay tonight in Arthez-de-Béarn. Distance 19.3km/12.1mi, +230m/755ft, -271m/890ft

Meals:  B,D

For this stage, the route passes through woods, churches and chapels before reaching the small village of Maslacq. Later the trail passes a sanctuary and former monastery, La Sauvelade. Distance: 20.5km/12.8mi, +361m/1184ft, -390m/1280ft

Meals:  B,D

The undulating trail takes you through quiet rural scenes to reach the town of Navarrenx, the first in France to be fortified with Italian style ramparts. Another great day's walk through the last of the Béarnais countyside on this route, crossing small streams and ascending fields and wooded trails. En route you pass a pâté producer (Jean Haget) and the Mongaston Castle, before reaching the small village of Lichos, the birthplace of Saint-Grat, Bishop of Oloron. You have now crossed over into the Basque region of France. Our usual accommodation has a private shower however the other facilities are shared. Distance 30.5km/19mi, +431m/1414ft, -552m/1811ft Option: if the full distance to Aroue is too long, you can split today and stay overnight in Navarrenx. This must be requested at time of booking and a supplement applies. Distance to Navarrenx: 11km/6.88mi and from Navarrenx to Aroue: 19.50km/12.2mi.

Meals:  B,D

The walk today takes you via the Eglise d'Olhaiby along rural trails to St Palais, a cultural town which plays host to colourful festivals and markets. Here the street signs are in the Basque language which is typical of the region. This is also the entry point into the Lower Navarre, formerly the Kingdom of Navarre. There are a number of sights to visit including a museum containing historic pilgrim relics and a statue of St James the pilgrim. Note: dinner is not included tonight if your stay is on a Fri, Sat or Sun evening. Distance 26km/16.2mi, +370m/1213ft, -577m/1893ft

Meals:  B,D

Continue on a trail past pilgrim hospitals, small chapels and historic villages to Ostabat-Asme, which was a large centre for pilgrims in the Middle Ages. Dependent on availability, at times we use a hotel in Larceveau, 2km further along the trail. Distance 11km/6.8mi, +380m/1246ft, -397m/1302ft

Meals:  B,D

Your last walking day! The trail leads you through the Basque countryside and along the D933, through the valley and on old paths either side of the road. En route you pass the sights of pilgrims' hospitals and the Croix de Galzetaburia which is a cross placed on the crossing of Roman roads to mark the entry of secondary routes onto the Via Pondensis. Passing the villages of Mongelos and Bussanarits you reach Donazaharre with its church of St Pierre. Soon you'll enter the pretty pilgrimage town of St Jean Pied de Port via the Porte Saint-Jacques. At the foothills of the Pyrenees, St Jean is a small border town but it's always busy with pilgrims. It has traditionally been an important point on the Camino, at the base of the Roncevaux Pass across the Pyrenees. The routes from Paris, Vézelay and Le Puy-en-Velay meet at Saint-Jean, the last stop before the mountain crossing into Spain. Distance 22.5km/14mi, +397m/1302ft, -387m/1270ft (or 19km from Larceveau)

Meals:  B

Your trip concludes after breakfast. We offer the Camino in Spain too, if you're keen to continue...

Meals:  B