- L’Autre Chemin
- Séjours
- The Saint James way zen- from Puy to Conques (soft stages)
€1570 / pers.
With luggage transfer and journey back
The Way of Saint James with shorter stages from Le Puy to Conques
Because we don’t all walk at the same pace, we offer the Way of Saint James from Le Puy to Conques. Discover the pleasure of setting off on an adventure along the Way of Saint James (GR65) from Le Puy to Conques. A 12-day walk will allow you to experience the atmosphere of the Way.
For this walking trip, we have planned:
- Half-board accommodation* in comfortable guesthouses, hotels, or lodges with bed and bath linens included –
- Luggage transfer (maximum 13 kg / bag) from stage to stage (you only carry your daypack),
- Journey back in minibus from Conques to Le Puy-en-Velay.
- Set off with peace of mind to fully enjoy one of the most beautiful sections of the Camino de Santiago from Le Puy-en-Velay to Conques. A timeless journey, following in the footsteps of thousands of years… Ultreïa and buen camino!
Bonus: The L’Autre Chemin Agency is located 10 minutes from Le Puy-en-Velay, which allows us to offer you a close relationship and good local knowledge.
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The benefits of your stay:
- You travel independently and follow the provided travel diary.
- Take advantage of our guide app to download to your smartphone (guidance, tourist information).
- Your accommodations are booked on a half-board basis
- Your luggage is delivered at each stop (one bag, max. 13kg/person).
- Your journey back in minibus to the starting point is included in our packages.
Your route:
- Elevation +5,005m
- Self-guided hike
- Route accessible to most people
- Family: Shorter stages ideal for family walks (depending on the children’s motivation)
- Accommodation: Private room (B&B, cottage, hotel, or alternative accommodation)
- What’s the climate like? See our Frequently Asked Questions
Note: The steps are given for information purposes only and may be modified depending on host availability.
An opportunity to discover the Velay city! Stroll and discover the upper town of Le Puy-en-Velay. Take the secret streets and discover the Cathedral, the starting point of the Way of Saint James.
Photo credits: Tourist Office of Le Puy-en-Velay ©Luc Olivier
Discover:
> The Cathedral and its Cloister
> Statue of Notre-Dame de France
> The Saint-Michel Chapel
> The narrow streets of the upper town
> The Hôtel-Dieu and its exhibitions
> The Polignac Fortress
> Monument passes on sale at the Tourist Office or at the monument ticket offices.
> Bobbin Lacemaking Training Center
> The Henry Vinay Garden (Horseshoe Park)
Ultréïa, let's begin your journey on the Way of St. James. Discover the Dolaizon Valley and the Devès Mountains, a veritable promontory overlooking the Allier Gorges. This first stage of the GR65 marks the beginning of the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. It offers superb panoramas of the volcanic Velay and is quite hilly.
Photo credit: Le Puy en Velay ©Luc Olivier
Discover:
Saint-Christophe-sur-Dolaizon
> 12th-century church
> The Cross
• Montbonnet
> The Saint-Roch Chapel
• Saint-Didier d'Allier
> The Castle overlooking the Allier
• Saint-Privat d'Allier
> Horseback riding
> The Castle of Saint-Privat-d'Allier
> The Priory and the esplanade overlooking the Allier Valley
Head towards the Haut-Allier Valley (salmon river). An incredible panorama awaits you from the hamlet of Rochegude before plunging into the tumultuous waters of the Allier.
Discover:
• Saint-Privat d'Allier
> The Château de Saint-Privat-d'Allier
> The Priory and the esplanade overlooking the Allier Valley
You'll need to escape the magnificent Allier Valley to reach Saugues, home of the Beast of Gévaudan!
Discover:
• Saugues
> The English Tower
> Fantastic Museum of the Beast of Gévaudan - Reservations available
> Biological swimming
The Way of St. James (GR65) offers breathtaking landscapes in Margeride!
Discover:
> The Polygonal Tower of La Clauze
> The Domaine du Sauvage
• Le Villeret d'Apcher
> The Saint-Pierre Spring
• Chanaleilles
> The Domaine du Sauvage
After the Domaine du Sauvage, you leave Haute-Loire to hike in Lozère. Discover Rouget and its red walls, and Saint-Alban-sur-Limagnole.
To discover:
• Saint-Roch
> The chapel
• Saint-Alban-sur-Limagnole
> The European Bison Reserve
> Saint-Alban Castle
> The Romanesque Church
Cross the high plateaus of Margeride to discover small villages and their magnificent churches to reach Aubrac!
Discover:
• Les Estrets
> The Church
• Aumont-Aubrac
> Saint-Etienne Church
> The Priory House (Tourist Office)
Walk amidst endless landscapes, burons, and water. It's all there; you're walking through a real postcard. Incredible Aubrac!
Discover:
• La Chaze de Peyre
> The Romanesque church
Continue your journey through the heart of the meadows to reach the Roc des Loups, a granite chaotic formation with its oculus, before descending towards Le Bus and the Marcahstel bridge. You'll pass through Nasbinals and then reach Aubrac, concluding your journey by joining the Aveyron.
Discover:
The Roc des Loups and its oculus
• Rieutord d'Aubrac
> The village
• Nasbinals
> The town's general architecture
• Aubrac
> The 12th-century Domerie Church
> The Tower of the Lost, which rang for lost pilgrims
> The old hospital
> The Maison de l'Aubrac
> Our Lady of the Gentians of Aubrac
From Aubrac, you'll reach the statue of Notre Dame des Gentianes before reaching Saint-Chély d'Aubrac and its pilgrims' bridge. Then it will be time, no doubt with regret, to leave the Aubrac plateau. Rest assured, what awaits you is very pleasant, including the discovery of the majestic Lot Valley! You will arrive in the magnificent town of Saint-Come d'Olt and its twisted bell towers, waiting to be discovered...
Discover:
• Saint-Chély d'Aubrac
> The pilgrims' bridge
> The church
> The wash houses
> The half-timbered houses
• Saint-Come d'Olt - Labeled "Most Beautiful Villages of France"
> The twisted bell tower of the church
> The overall architecture of the town
> The slate roofs
> The Chapel of the Penitents
> The gentle way of life on the banks of the Lot
You continue your walk along the Lot River to Espalion and then Estaing. A beautiful stage rich in architectural discoveries.
Discover:
• Espalion
> The old pink sandstone bridge
> The Old Palace
> The Diving Suit Museum!
> The Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions - Joseph Vaylet
> Rouergue Museum
• Bessuéjouls
> St. Pierre Church built of pink stone
• Estaing - Labeled "Most Beautiful Villages of France"
> The Gothic Bridge over the Lot
> Estaing Castle
From Estaing, head back up to Golinhac or Campuac, depending on accommodation options.
An alternative route is available if you're staying in Campuac - Historic Route
Discover:
• Golinhac
> Romanesque Church
Conques is not far away, and you'll end your journey in style with the discovery of Conques, the pearl of Rouergue. Simply magnificent, with its Sainte-Foy Abbey seemingly emerging from nowhere! You'll spend one last night on the Camino de Santiago in Conques, with your return planned for the next day.
If staying in Campuac: Route via the GR6 to rejoin the GR65 at Campagnac
Discover:
• Espeyrac
> Church
> A close connection with a Gallo-Roman centurion
> The astonishing village of Soulié
• Conques
> The Sainte-Foy Abbey and its tympanum depicting the Last Judgment
> The Treasure of Conques
> The general architecture of the village and its atmosphere
> The Joseph Fau Museum
> The peaceful Dourdou Valley
Meet at 8 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. depending on your choice where a shuttle will take you from Conques to Puy-en-Velay (Arrival at 12:15 p.m. or 5:15 p.m. depending on departure time and road conditions).
This price includes:
- Accommodation in a private room (with sheets and towels) according to the configuration selected at booking: twin, double, triple, multiple, or single (with supplement)
- Half-board accommodation
- Tourist taxes
- Luggage transport (maximum 13 kg/person)
- Your digital travel and guidebook
- The guidebook (1 copy per 3 travelers)
- Journey back to Puy-en-Velay by regular shuttle
- Telephone assistance
Available options:
- Multi-risk cancellation insurance
- Single room
- No return from Conques
This price does not include:
- Transportation and transfers to the starting point,
- Parking
- Meals other than those specified in the chosen package,
- Drinks,
- Pocket money,
- Possible visits or activities,
- GPX tracks (we do not provide GPX tracks – app guidance)
- Multi-risk cancellation insurance
- More generally, anything not listed in the “This price includes” section
Administration fees
- €12/person if ordered online
- €15/person via quote
As an option, L’autre Chemin offers:
The Credential The pilgrim’s passport to be stamped at each stop.
We offer the Credential of the Friends of the Way of Saint James as an option. No need to travel; it will be sent to you with your travel diary before your departure. However, if you plan to attend the Pilgrims’ Mass at 7 a.m. at Le Puy Cathedral, you can find credential on site. Price: €7 / credential when booking your hike
L’Autre Chemin has developed numerous partnerships with guesthouses and small traditional hotels to offer you comfort and authenticity, ensuring that each stage is an opportunity to discover the architecture, the art of living, and the gastronomy, as well as a moment of exchange and encounters. Note: The stages along the trail are determined by the walking pace that we feel is most appropriate. We strive to offer you stages that offer comfort, discovery, and authenticity in hotels, guesthouses, cottages, or unusual accommodations. However, the Camino Trail offers a range of amenities. Generally, bathrooms are integrated into the rooms, but they may be located on the landing or shared in some accommodations.
Whether you want to book your stay or ask us any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
By train
The town of Le Puy-en-Velay has a train station that takes you right to the city center, close to your first hotel and all the sights and shops. In short, it’s very pleasant to take the train from home to begin your hike in Le Puy. Psst, even if the journey may seem long, when you arrive via Saint-Etienne, the tracks run alongside the wild Loire Valley, a truly beautiful sight!
By car
Le Puy is accessible by road, notably via two main roads: the RN88 from Saint-Etienne/Lyon or Aubenas/Mende, or via the RN102 (Clermont-Ferrand). There are suitable parking lots on site, but we’ll explain everything in your travel guide!
- Paris: 515km
- Lyon: 134km
- Marseille: 300km
- Toulouse: 350km
- Montpellier: 250km
Where to park in Le Puy?
- Breuil underground car park – Place du Breuil (near Ibis Styles and Ibis Centre) – Closed Sundays and public holidays – 7 days: €60 & 14 days: €100/14 days – Reservations: +33 4 71 02 03 54
- Bertrand de Doue car park: Parking without video (near train station, Ibis Styles & Budget)
- Estrouilhas car park: Parking without video (near Ibis Centre)
- Quincieu park and ride: Parking without video (near Ibis Centre)
- Montredon park and ride: Parking without video (free bus service to the city center)
- Dunant car park (free bus service to the city center) Above-ground car parks in Le Puy – Rates: €10/week and €20/month.
Subscriptions must be reserved and paid in advance at the parking lot. Commercial Mobilité-en-Velay Tel. 04 71 02 60 11 (open Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.) – Height limit 2.20 m & length 5.50 m maximum. These car parks are served by a free shuttle or the urban transport network.
- Parking de la Gare: Video-monitored parking – €6 / 24 hours (near Ibis Styles & Budget)
- Parking des Carmes: Video-monitored parking – €30 / week – Reservations: 07 68 10 76 81 (near Ibis Styles & Budget)
- La Malle Postale – Parking 7km from Le Puy – Drop-off and pick-up guaranteed – 7 days / 7– 7 days: €30 & 15 days: €50 – Reservation: +33 4 71 04 21 79
- Saint-Jacques Parking (Center served by bus) – 13 bis de Roderie – Aiguilhe – Video surveillance – Reservation: +33 4 44 43 97 43 – 7 days: €29 & 14 days: €55 (near Ibis Center)
Prices given for information purposes only and subject to change without notice
with L'Autre Chemin
From 1470€ / pers.
with luggage transfer & journey back
The Stevenson trail GR70 – Nature trek through the Cévennes
Fully organized hiking trip on the Stevenson Trail (GR70) from Puy-en-Velay to Saint-Jean du Gard or Alès, depending on your choice. A walking adventure in the heart of the Cévennes, following in the footsteps of Robert Louis Stevenson.
€925 / pers.
Luggage transfer & journey back included
Ultreïa ! Compostela bike tour from le Puy to Conques
E-biking on the Saint-James way of Santiago de Compostela
€1345 / pers.
With luggage transfer and journey back
The Saint-James Way from Puy-en-Velay to Conques
The Camino de Santiago from Le Puy-en-Velay to Conques, a hike along the Via Podiensis through volcanoes, the Aubrac plateau, and the valleys of the Lot, leading to the Sainte-Foy Abbey