Make your own way to Aumont-Aubrac. Set at 1050m, the town is in the heart of Lozère and is an important point on The Way of St James. The old town has preserved houses from the 16th and 17th century with sculpted stone facades. There is a statue here of the “Bête du Gévaudan” (Beast of the Gévaudan), the man-eating wolf-dog that terrorised the Lozère area in the late 1700s and as a werewolf has inspired literature and popular culture since the mid 1800s. Optional hotel upgrade (with pool) at Aumont available - must be requested at time of booking, supplement applies.

Meals:  D

From Aumont-Aubrac in “Terre de Peyre” (land of stone), the Way of St James 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, +479m/1571ft, -346m/1135ft (highest point 1256m)

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, +224m/735ft, -588m/1929ft (highest point 1366m)

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We 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. Walk via St-Come d'Olt to Espalion and your accommodation. Espalion's lovely old stone bridge is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (subject to availability, overnight may be in Come d'Olt, in which case today is 16km and tomorrow is 18km to Estaing). Distance 16/9.94mi or 22km/13.67mi, +227m/745ft, -675m/2214ft or +330m/1082ft, -715m/2345ft (highest point 922m)

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The walk continues on the Way of St James 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 12/7.45mi or 18km/11.2mi, +210m/689ft, -255m/837ft or +349m/1145ft, -406m/1332ft (highest point 490m)

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 hotel in Golinhac. Distance 14km/8.8mi, +586m/1922ft, -256m/840ft (highest point 660m)

Meals:  B,D

The walk to Conques is very often one of the favourite stages 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 Romanesque Abbey-Chruch Sainte Foy dominate. You can also admire the village's portal, a real treasure from Roman times. Relax in one of the many bars to experience the atmosphere of this lovely town. Distance 21km/13mi, +398m/1305ft, -749m/2457ft (highest point 677m)

Meals:  B,D

Trip concludes after breakfast. Note: this itinerary can easily be combined with The Way of St James - Le Puy to Aumont beforehand, or you can continue to Cahors. Ask our staff for details.

Meals:  B