Camino Le Puy Way: Stages 1 & 2

Arrive in the historic city of Le Puy-en-Velay which has been a pilgrimage centre since the Middle Ages. Spend time here exploring the sites within this city that is set in a volcanic plateau and is famed for its rocky peaks which rise out of the valley.

The walk today begins at the cathedral and from here, and as you follow the trail, you will see wonderful views over the whole area. This morning you will cross the Velay, an area famous for its lentils and black sheep. Later this afternoon arrive in St Privat d'Allier where you will spend the night. 

During today’s walk you will pass through widely differing countryside, such as the Allier gorges and a volcanic plateau of great natural beauty. Climb a tiny chapel dedicated to St James perched atop a rocky belvedere and past the Madeleine Chapel, which was carved out of the rock in the 17th century.

Today you discover the Margeride Plateau with its characteristic villages, secluded hamlets, ancient stone crosses and pastures hemmed in by stone walls. Each village has charming features such as granite houses with carved doorways and cottage gardens. 1 km off the main track, you will come to the village of Les Faux and your accommodation for the night.

This morning continue across the plateau of the Margeride as far as Aumont, which is the gateway to the Aubrac. Between Le Rouget, which takes its name from the typical red-roofed houses of the area. See pretty hamlets, and churches with ‘comb-style’ belfries, before arriving in Aumont Aubrac, a small town and where you can see the former Benedictine priory and Romaneque church of Saint Etienne.

Today is long day of walking once more but it is worth it as you leave behind the Margeride Plateau and begin to cross the Aubrac Plateau, a wide expanse of pastures, old barns, drystone walls, and swathes of wildflowers, depending on the season. Later arrive in Nasbinals, where there is a superb 14th century Romanesque church built of brown basalt.

Begin your walk by making your way down the Boraldes Valley and then pass through the village of Aubrac, which was founded in 1120 by a Flemish knight, Adelard de Flandres. Cross the Aude and descend steadily into St Chely d’Aubrec, your final destination for today.

At the heart of the village of St Chely d’Aubrec is the church, extended in the 19th century and which holds two incredible altar pieces, a copy of the painting The Descent from the Cross by Rubens and a 14th century bas-relief representing Christ and his Apostles. See these exquisite pieces of art before crossing the old bridge over the Boraldes River and continuing into the heart of the Lot Valley.

Today’s incredible walk between St Côme d’Olt and Estaing in the upper valley, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Pitched roofs of hand-hewn tiles called lauzes blend in harmony with bejeweled Romanesque churches along this pilgrim route to Compostela. On arrival in Estaing you cross the famous Pont Gothique and see the wrought iron cross and the statue of Francois d’Estaing.

This morning includes a 350 m ascent to Golinhac were you will find the Church of St Martin set on the site of a 9th century Benedictine abbey. 

From here pass through small hamlets and spot wooden balconies of old riverside tanneries, window boxes full of colourful geraniums and prosperous bourgeois town houses. Then walk through woods and then veer off on a lane that directs you alongside the woods and which undulates between fields. Pass Fontromieu and the Church of Saint-Marcel before arriving in Conques, a village that rises steeply from a conch-shaped valley.

Bid farewell to the Camino Le Puy today. After breakfast check out of your hotel and make your onward journey.