On this fourth section of Le Puy route, the Camino goes from beautiful Cahors to charming Lectoure and crosses both the Lot and Garonne valleys. The green rounded hills of the area, added to a rich historical heritage of numerous mediaeval buildings at almost every stopover, make this leg of the Camino a beautiful walking holiday for anybody seeking both natural and cultural sites.
Montcuq
Montcuq is an essential stopping point on the Le Puy Camino. The Tower of Montcuq is a must visit for views over the town and surrounding countryside. Built at the beginning of the 13th Century for the Counts of Toulouse, the town then developed around it. Taken by the English in the Hundred Years War, the town was left in ruins and its re-building gives it the look it has today. Be sure to visit the church of Saint-Hilaire with its group of stained-glass windows in vibrant colours tracing the lives of Christ and Saint-Hilaire. The church of Saint-Privat is also worthy of a visit to see its remarkable stained-glass window depicting the First World War.
UNESCO World Heritage Site - Moissac Abbey
The architecture of the Moissac Abbey is a masterpiece of Romanesque art, the most famous parts being the door on the south entrance to the Church of Saint-Pierre and the abbey’s cloister. The door dates from the 12th Century and has a finely sculpted tympanum depicting Christ in Majesty and the Apocalypse according to St. John. The prestigious cloister has 76 superb sculpted capitals, dating from the late 11th Century that are adorned with narrative scenes about the lives of the saints and biblical scenes. Adding to the charm and serenity of the place is a large cedar tree that is more than 200 years old. If you are passing by in the Summer months, you may get an opportunity to experience one of the many classical music concerts that take place.
Lectoure
Perhaps Lectoure is unassuming as you first approach it as it looks similar to others you have passed through on your Camino, but once into the centre of town Lectoure reveals a sense of history! Here you will find Gallo-Roman archaeology from the 2nd and 3rd Century and the ancient Fountain of Diana that was restored in the 13th Century, as well as the crowning jewel of the town – the Cathedral of St. Gervais and St. Protais. The surprise then comes when you discover that since the 1950s Lecoutre has mostly been known for its melon growing! The climate and limestone-clay soil in the area is particularly suited to the production of melons. If you are lucky enough to be passing by on 15 August, you will get to experience their annual Melon Festival!
CAHORS
LECTOURE
Services
Included in this package
Add-On
Not included: Flights/trains, Insurance, Drinks/Lunch
Itinerary
Day
km
CAHORS
Surrounded by natural steep cliffs, Cahors is located on the shores of the Lot River. We recommend wandering around the old city as, at every corner, history hits visitors: the Valentré Bridge, Saint-Etienne Cathedral, mediaeval houses, neoclassical buildings … this small city is one of the prettiest in the whole Le Puy route!
Day
31.1 km
CAHORS MONTCUQ
We first climb up stone steps to Pech d’Angely from where we take a last look at Cahors down in the valley before continuing through the Causses, a limestone plateau. We will then pass through Labastide-Marnhac before reaching the charming village of Lascabanes and its flower-decorated houses. Then, we continue the walk to Montcuq.
Day
14.2 km
MONTCUQ LAUZERTE
The route we follow today goes up and down hills all the way to Lauzerte. We start seeing less woodland and more farmland and cultivated crop fields, until we reach the beautiful village of Lauzerte with its ancient raised dovecote and Saint-Sernin church.
Day
24.5 km
LAUZERTE MOISSAC
This is one of the easiest walking days as there is no particular difficulty regarding the terrain itself. We walk through the quiet countryside, between crop fields, woodland, and vines. We finish this stage in Moissac, home to UNESCO World Heritage Saint-Pierre Abbey.
Day
20.6 km
MOISSAC AUVILLAR
The Camino follows the water all day as we first start walking on towpaths along the Tarn River until the Lock of Espagnolette. We then continue towards the villages of Boudou and Malause, before being back on ancient towpaths, this time along the Canal of Golfech. The last effort of the day, to climb up the steep street when we enter Auvillar, is rewarded by views of the picturesque cobblestone plaza with its ancient circular open hall and arcades.
Day
32.4 km
AUVILLAR LECTOURE
Today we leave the Le Lot region to enter Le Gers and its rich agricultural lands. The walk also passes through charming villages such as Flamarens or Miradoux before ending in Lectoure, an old fortified town with an impressive cathedral. We will stop here for the night.
Day
km
LECTOURE
Today we leave the Le Lot region to enter Le Gers and its rich agricultural lands. The walk also passes through charming villages such as Flamarens or Miradoux before ending in Lectoure, an old fortified town with an impressive cathedral. We will stop here for the night.
Getting to Cahors, France
To get to the start of this Camino, the closest airports are in Rodez or Toulouse. We can organise airport transfers for you to get you from the airport to your first accommodation, or you can travel on public transport.
Fly into Toulouse
Fly into Rodez
Getting home from Lectoure
From the end of this walk, the closest airport is Toulouse. We can organise airport transfers for you to get back to the airport at the end of your pilgrimage, or you can travel on public transport.
Fly from Toulouse
Start Planning your Adventure Now
Walk the Camino to experience what is set to be the biggest Camino experience of the
century so far. Embrace your freedom to explore and challenge yourself to walk the Camino.
