Starting out surrounded by the Auvergne’s green, dormant volcanoes, this first section of the Le Puy Camino runs through undulating landscapes. Passing over the Velay massif and the Gévaudan plateau, pilgrims stop in notable regional towns including Sauges before traversing light woodlands and hillside scrub before reaching Aumont-Aubrac, gateway to the mythic Aubrac high plateau.
Le Puy-en-Velay
As the starting point for the Le Puy Camino in France, this small city has much to offer. Two unique sites are the cathedral and the Hermitage Saint-Jean-du-Puy that are perched atop ancient volcanoes and only accessible by climbing the many steps up. The Cathedral of Notre Dame dates from the 12th Century and is widely regarded as one of the most distinctive Romanesque cathedrals in France. Be sure to also save some energy to wander the small streets flanked by tall pastel buildings of the old city. Here you will find many shops and cafes as well as the famed lace makers of Le Puy.
Sauges
Sauges has served as a popular stopping point on the Le Puy Camino for many centuries, situated between the mountains of Margeride and the Allier Valley. From visiting the Fantastic Museum of the Beast of Gevaudan to the Romanesque Church of St Ménard to the mediaeval Tower of the English, there is much to see and do in this small town all within a short walk of each other. Whilst here, take the opportunity also to try the traditional dish of Aligot – mashed potato mixed with butter, garlic cream, and the local cheese Tomme.
Aumont-Aubrac
Aumont-Aubrac was built around the crossroads of the ancient routes between Lyon, Toulouse, and Auvergne. Relax in this typical French town, wander the old streets, or visit the Tourist Information Centre situated in the House of the Priory that was restored in the 1990s and has a beautiful vaulted cellar in the basement. Another must visit for pilgrims is the Church of Saint-Etienne, which sits on the site of a priory from 106 AD. Over the centuries it has undergone many restorations and today you can see clearly the Romanesque and Baroque influences. A peculiarity of the church is its eccentric belfry, rebuilt in 1839 with stones from the cemetery.
LE PUY EN VELAY
AUMONT-AUBRAC
Services
Included in this package
Add-On
Not included: Flights/trains, Insurance, Drinks/Lunch
Itinerary
Day
km
LE PUY EN VELAY
Le Puy-en-Velay is the historical starting point of the Via Podiensis, and this is where archbishop Gothescalk departed from, in 950 AD, to become the first ever pilgrim to reach the tomb of the apostle St James in Santiago de Compostela. Le Puy-en-Velay has always been an important sanctuary city as it is home to the mysterious Black Virgin, which has drawn pilgrims from all over Europe since the Middle Ages. But the appeal of Le-Puy-en-Velay goes beyond historical and cultural – the city also worth a visit for its picturesque location. Indeed, set between the Auvergne dormant volcanoes and the Rhone Alpes valley, the lively old city charms visitors with the great views it offers over the surrounding low mountains.
Day
22.6 km
LE PUY EN VELAY SAINT PRIVAT DALLIER
Starting at the Notre-Dame du Puy Cathedral, modern pilgrims feel a certain emotion when walking down the stairs that have been the starting point of thousands of pilgrim journeys to Santiago for the last millennium. The day is spent through the rounded green mountains of the Velay massif, offering beautiful scenery all day long, before reaching Saint Privat D’Allier.
Day
18.5 km
SAINT PRIVAT DALLIER SAUGUES
This is a short enough walk but the regula ascents and descents make it the most demanding stage of this first section. The rewarding side of this walk is that it offers wonderful views over the Velay massif and the Gévaudan plateau, and we also pass through picturesque villages and hamlets before arriving in Saugues.
Day
27.8 km
SAUGUES LES FAUX
Today, we leave Saugues and its Tour des Anglais to continue up to reach Le Sauvage, a farm domain perched on top of a hill dating back to the times of the Knights Templars. The Camino then continues to enter the La Lozère département at the Saint-Roch Chapel and we conclude our day in Les Faux.
Day
19.9 km
LES FAUX AUMONT-AUBRAC
From Les Faux, we reach Saint-Alban sur Limagnole and its Roman church. Then, it is a steep climb up to Grazieres-Mages. We then start our way down to the tiny village of Les Estrets through peaceful wood and farmlands. Finally, we reach Aumont-Aubrac, gateway to the mythic Aubrac high plateau.
Day
km
AUMONT-AUBRAC
After breakfast, we bid you farewell. You can visit the Tourist Information Centre, situated in the House of the Priory, with its beautiful vaulted cellar or see the Church of Saint-Etienne, which has significant Romanesque and Baroque influences after many restorations. Or, if you want to relax, you can wander the old streets and enjoy some local wine and cheese.
Getting to Le Puy, France
To get to the start of this Camino, the closest airports are in Lyon or Paris. 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 Lyon
Fly into Paris
Getting home from Aumont-Aubrac
From the end of this walk, the closest airports are Lyon or Rodez. 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 Rodez
Fly from Lyon
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| Off season | |
| February | Off season |
| March | Off season |
| April | Good time |
| May | Popular time |
| June | Popular time |
| July | Good time |
| August | Good time |
| September | Popular time |
| October | Good time |
| November | Off season |
| December | Off season |
