Le Puy Camino - Conques to Cahors

Land Tour

8 days

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Le Puy Camino - Conques to Cahors
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  • Itinerary
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$AUD 194 per day

Departure: Conques, France

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.
About
7 breakfasts, 6 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
7 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.
Digital information pack including smartphone app with maps and roadbook
Luggage Transfer, 1 piece maximum 13kg, supplement applies for excess
Visitor tax
Emergency hotline
Hightlights
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)

Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive Conques
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.
Day 2 - To Livinhac le Haut (6hrs)
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).
Distance 23.5km/14.6mi, +774m/2539ft, -856m/2808ft
Day 3 - To Figeac (7 or 8hrs)
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.
Distance 24km/14.9mi, +507m/1663ft, -517m/1696ft - From Decazeville 29.5km/18.3m
Day 4 - Walk to Gréalou (4-5hrs)
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.
Distance 20km/12.42mi, +498m/1633ft, -315m/1033ft
Day 5 - Continue to the pretty medieval town of Cajarc (4hrs)
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.
Distance 11km/6.83mi, +120m/394ft, -341m/1119ft
Day 6 - To Limogne en Quercy (5hrs)
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.
Distance 19km/11.9mi, +410m/1345ft, -274m/899ft
Day 7 - Walk to the truffle town of Lalbenque (7hrs)
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.
Distance 22km/13.7mi, +211m/692ft, -246m/807ft
Day 8 - Trip ends in Cahors (5hrs) or continue on the trail towards Lectoure
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
Location

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