The Jesuit Jean-François Régis, canonized in 1737, patron saint of lacemakers, could also have been the patron saint of hikers. To evangelize the regions of Velay and Vivarais, shaken by the Wars of Religion, he would set off, in all weathers, on wild races of 40 to 60 km through mountains, woods, gorges and moors.

FROM JEAN-FRANÇOIS RÉGIS TO SAINT-RÉGIS Jean-François Régis, ordained a priest in 1630, considered leaving France for Canada to preach the “good word” to the Hurons and Iroquois. But he was ultimately appointed to Le Puy, in Haute-Loire. After a somewhat hostile initial reception, he succeeded in spreading the word of God by visiting and assisting the sick and the needy. He earned the respect of the locals through strict Catholic discipline: his catechisms sometimes attracted as many as 4,000 people. He engaged in life-saving activities for those deprived of life: he visited the sick and prisoners and founded the Refuge du Bon Pasteur, a shelter for prostitutes. He also came to the aid of lacemakers threatened by an ordinance that jeopardized their profession. Later, he became the patron saint of lacemakers. To carry out his mission, Jean-François Régis walked 40 km, sometimes 60 km, per day, especially in winter to meet farmers on isolated farms. In 1640, he set off, accompanied by Brother Bideau, in a storm to travel through the mountains of Velay and Haut-Vivarais. On the way, he fell ill and was taken by pneumonia in Lalouvesc, while pronouncing these words: “I see Our Lord and Our Lady opening paradise to me.”

Markings of the Saint-Régis Path

THE WAY OF SAINT-RÉGIS, THE FOOTSTEPS OF GOD’S WALKER

The Saint Régis trail (GR 430) starts in Puy-en-Velay in Haute-Loire and leads you towards the volcanic highlands of Mézenc. The GR 430 crosses incredible landscapes to discover between the Loire Valley, the Gazeille Valley but also traditional villages like Saint-Front, Moudeyres, …

The GR430 continues its route to cross Fay-Sur-Lignon before reaching Saint-Agrève, the lake of Devesset to crisscross forests and broom with heady fragrances. Then the village of Lalouvesc appears after a beautiful climb where we reach the objective of the pilgrimage: the Basilica of Saint-Régis, its relics but also what is impressive, it is the view of the Rhône valley and the Alps.

The second part of the route leads to Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid, a mecca of Altiligérien gastronomy and well-being, before heading towards Haut-Lignon, Meygal and its characteristic volcanic peaks to finally reach Le Puy-en-Velay.

The Chemin de Saint-Régis is a hike, a journey that offers magnificent preserved landscapes, authentic encounters with locals, and the discovery of a varied heritage. Note that the Chemin de Saint-Régis is a quiet long-distance hiking trail far from the crowds of major routes such as Santiago de Compostela or Stevenson.

DISCOVER OUR SELF-GUIDED HIKES

L’Autre Chemin trekking agency is ideally based in Le Puy-en-Velay, which of course allows us to meet you before your departure, but above all to have a good knowledge of the different routes that cross the Haute-Loire. The Chemin de Saint-Régis is an interesting route for the variety of landscapes crossed, for the different heritage buildings encountered, but also for the tranquility of its paths and natural spaces, most of which are volcanic.

L’Autre Chemin organizes your hike for you with attention to detail, seeking out comfortable stages that also allow you to pace your hike so it remains comfortable and serene. We offer luggage transport at each stage and, for the two week-long stays, we take care of your transfer to your starting point. All you have to do is enjoy your hike on the magnificent GR430!

Basilica of Lalouvesc on the road to Saint-Régis - Photo L. Lhopital

Our tours on the Saint-Régis trail

  • The unmissable full hike on the Chemin de Saint-Régis du Puy in Le Puy

  • The introduction to the Chemin de Saint-Régis to discover the first stages of the GR430 from Puy to Lalouvesc

  • The conclusion of the Chemin de Saint-Régis to complete the GR430 loop from Lalouvesc to Puy

  • The Way of Saint-Régis in freedom – Full version
  • Introduction to the Saint-Régis-Le Puy-Lalouvesc route

  • And of course, the Saint-Régis Way by bike