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Duration
9 days
Activities
  • self guided walk
Accommodation
  • 7 nights guesthouses or hotels
Meals
  • 4 Dinners
  • 8 Breakfasts

Price

$1240USD

 
 

Overview

Trip Code: FC3

Trip highlights


  • Conques - a Romanesque wonder of the tenth and twelfth centuries
  • Monoliths and dolmens (megalithic stone tombs) along the route
  • Regional gastronomy
  • The towns of Figeac (Champollion museum) and Cahors (Pont Valentré is classified World Heritage by UNESCO)

Traverse the centuries of time and the borders of Europe on the medieval pilgrim trail of Compostela. In the 9th century, the tomb of the apostle St James was unearthed in Compostela. The site became the focus of a pilgrim trail beginning in France, and crossing northern Spain to Santiago de Compostela. This journey, along the Via Podensis, the French Way of St James, takes pilgrims from Le Puy en Velay to the Pyrenees at St Jean Pied de Port. The route passes a multitude of churches and monasteries, resembling a travelling museum of Romanesque art. Six stages of this historic trail are included in our self-guided walking program in France.

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.

Trip Grading

moderate

More info about grading system

Traveller Rating

 

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Arrive in the picturesque town of Conques, Romanesque in origin and nestled in lush greenery. If you want to visit Conques and its abbey, a major building of Romanesque architecture, we recommend that you arrive in the late morning or early afternoon. Dinner at the hotel is included this evening.

Meals:  D

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. Own dinner arrangements. 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

Trip concludes after breakfast, or continue on the next stage to Lectoure. We can assist with booking extra nights in Cahors on request - please ask for our rates.

Meals:  B

Expand all | Collapse all

Arrive in the picturesque town of Conques, Romanesque in origin and nestled in lush greenery. If you want to visit Conques and its abbey, a major building of Romanesque architecture, we recommend that you arrive in the late morning or early afternoon.

Meals:  D

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 usually be in Livinhac or at times dependent on availability, you may be booked at Decazeville (28.5km/17.8mi).

Meals:  B,D

Leaving from either Livinhac or Decazeville, you 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. It is the birthplace of Champollion (decipherer of the Egyptian hieroglyphs) and you can visit the excellent museum dedicated to his work. There is also a Benedictine abbey from the ninth century.

Meals:  B

From today the walking becomes easier. The trail crosses the river Célé and ascends the limestone plateau, where you can admire the magnificent "Cazels" or "Bories" - little dry stone shepherd huts. Arrive in Gréalou with its Romanesque church from the twelfth century, Our Lady of the Assumption.

Meals:  B,D

The trail today descends along the Lot valley to the village of Cajarc, where 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. At times you may be booked at a hotel in Cajarc on a Bed & breakfast basis, in which case a discount will apply.

Meals:  B,D

The trail continues along the arid plateau of Limogne en Quercy. The rainwater seeps inside 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 also contains many dolmens. Limogne en Quercy is famous for its truffle fair, usually held on Sunday mornings from December to March and in Summer.

Meals:  B,D

A great walk today as you have the opportunity to 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.

Meals:  B,D

The trail takes you along the Cami Ferrat, an ancient trade route between Cahors and Caylus. The town of Cahors is nestled in a U-shaped bend of the Lot River. Arriving into the town you first cross the famous bridge Valentré, an emblem of the city classified as World Heritage by UNESCO and a well-known pilgrim milestone. The trip ends on arrival in Cahors. We can assist with booking the night's accommodation in Cahors on request - please ask for our rates. Or you can continue on the next stage from Cahors to Lectoure, which includes the night's accommodation. Distance 19km/11.9mi, +320m/1049ft, -471m/1545ft

Meals:  B


Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.
On self guided trips, actual route information provided before departure will be more detailed.


Inclusions

  • 8 breakfasts, 4 dinners: Breakfasts are usually continental inclusive of breads, cheese, ham, tea, coffee & juices. Dinner will consist of 3 courses, usually starting with a salad, followed by a chicken, red meat, fish or pasta dish & finishing with a dessert of fruit or cakes
  • 8 nights in guesthouses or simple hotels on a twin share basis, generally with ensuite facilities. On occasion facilities will be shared with one or two other rooms. Option to upgrade to comfort accommodation - supplement applies.
  • 2024 price lock bookings: 7 nights accommodation in standard or upgrade hotels (with supplement), Meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 dinners
  • Digital information pack including smartphone app with maps and roadbook
  • Luggage transfer - strictly 1 bag of 13kg per person. Excess charges per bag apply
  • Visitor tax
  • Emergency hotline

  • Travel to Conques and from Cahors
  • Meals not listed as included, drinks
  • Travel insurance - mandatory
  • Guide – this is a self-guided walking holiday
  • A supplement will apply if you are travelling solo or book a single room
  • Entrance fees not listed as included
  • Transfers not listed as included
  • Transfers by taxi or public transport if you need to skip a stage
  • Excess luggage - fees apply, see Special Notes below
  • Items of a personal nature

Grading

moderate  

Daily walks are between 11 and 28km on well marked trails over diverse terrain – from relatively flat to mountainous. This is a well worn path where route finding is straight forward (refer below for further details on self guided walking). The main areas to concentrate on route finding are arriving and leaving towns. The accent is on keeping a steady pace to take in all of the attractions, with time to stop and take photos. You will need a good level of fitness and walking endurance to participate fully in this holiday.


Departure dates

Daily from 1 Apr to 31 Oct

Want to organise a private group?

Fundraising events, sporting groups, family treats; learn how you can organise a Private Group from just 6 travellers.

Priceper person from

$1240USD

Options & Supplements*
  • Discount for triple share rooms - ppUSD$-77
  • Extra luggage: 1 bag, max 13kg (requested >70days before departure)USD$100
  • Extra luggage: 1 bag, max 13kg (if requested within 70days of departure)USD$140
  • 2025 Single Supplement (9days)USD$440
  • 2025 Solo Traveller SupplementUSD$480
*Prices listed are per person

Trip reviews


Why travel with us

Making Europe Affordable

We offer different levels of accommodation and comfort so that even the most budget conscious can treat themselves to active holidays on Europe's most celebrated tracks and trails. Our trips are great value for money because you only pay for what you want.  

Self-Guided Specialists

Our wide range of self-guided itineraries embody the UTracks philosophy of exploring Europe your way. We handle the logistics so all that's left for you to do is enjoy exploring Europe at your own pace. Most depart daily with a minimum of two people, meaning maximum flexibility.

Our Wide Range

With close to 400 trips in almost 50 countries, including the largest range of bike & boat holidays in Europe, we're confident that we can organise an Alps walk, Camino de Santiago or Via Francigena experience, Food Lovers' trip or a tour in a lesser-known pocket of Europe that you will love. 

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