- L’Autre Chemin
- Séjours
- The Saint-James Way from Puy-en-Velay to Conques
€1345 / pers.
With luggage transfer and journey back
The Saint James way from Le Puy to Conques
Hike with peace of mind by enjoying the first stage of the Way of Saint James – Le Puy – Conques, self-guided. Embark on an adventure on the iconic GR65 trail, starting from Le Puy-en-Velay. You’ll walk from the capital of the Way of Saint James to Conques! A total immersion in the world of pilgrimage… A nature hike connecting the capital of Le Puy-en-Velay, Haute-Loire, to Conques – Aveyron, marked by the passage from Haute-Loire to the plateaus of Margeride and Aubrac, as well as the arrival in the Lot Valley to reach Conques.
Discover one of the most beautiful hiking routes in France, linking Le Puy-en-Velay to Conques, on the famous Way of St. James. This hiking trip offers a unique experience, combining breathtaking landscapes, historical heritage, and local culture. A Historical and Natural Route: the route between Le Puy-en-Velay and Conques takes you through mountains, valleys, and forests, while offering exceptional panoramas. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this route is one of the most popular with hikers and pilgrims. Each stage of this hike between Le Puy-en-Velay and Conques offers a wealth of discoveries, as each stage of this hike between Le Puy-en-Velay and Conques allows you to discover picturesque villages, remarkable churches, and preserved natural sites. Le Puy-en-Velay, with its cathedral and statue of Notre-Dame-de-France, is the ideal starting point for this adventure. Halfway along the route, you’ll pass iconic sites like the Roc des Loups between Aumont-Aubrac and Nasbinals, before arriving in Conques, one of the most beautiful villages in France. A journey through time, following in the footsteps of thousands of years… Ultreïa and buen camino!
Why choose this trip between Le Puy-en-Velay and Conques?
- Exceptional landscapes: The route crosses varied landscapes, from mountains to valleys, passing through magnificent forests.
- Cultural heritage: The route is dotted with Romanesque churches, historic villages, and listed sites.
- Logistical support: Enjoy a worry-free tour thanks to our transportation and accommodation services.
- Suitable for all levels: Whether you’re an experienced hiker or a beginner, this route offers varied and accessible stages.
- Find our tips for planning your hike.
What we like: The departure from Le Puy-en-Velay Cathedral, the Roc des Loups, the Marchastel bridge spanning the Bès River before reaching Nasbinals, the twisted (flambé) roofs of Saint-Côme d’Olt, Estaing, and of course, the arrival in Conques, simply magnificent.
Bonus: The L’Autre Chemin Agency is located in Puy-en-Velay – 5 rue Grangevieille, this allows us to easily meet you when you leave and gives us a good knowledge of the route.
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The benefits of your hike:
- 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 offered on a half-board basis
- Your luggage is delivered at each stopover (one bag, max. 13kg/person).
- Your return minibus transfer to the starting point is included in our packages.
Your itinerary: Elevation gain +4,825 m Self-guided hike Trail accessible to most people Family: Children ages 14 and up (depending on motivation) Accommodation: Private room (B&B, cottage, hotel, or alternative accommodation) What’s the climate like? See our Frequently Asked Questions
- Program day / day
- What's in your trip ?
- Extras
- Accommodation
- Accès to Le Puy & car parking
- Need help ?
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.
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)
Photo credits: Tourist Office of Le Puy-en-Velay ©Luc Olivier
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
A day of pilgrimage that takes you to the waters of the tumultuous Allier River. You then return to the land of Gévaudan to reach Saugues. This second stage of the GR65 is one of the most spectacular and physically demanding at the beginning of the pilgrimage. It crosses volcanic landscapes, runs along the Allier Gorges, then climbs the Margeride plateaus to reach Saugues and its Tour des Anglais.
Discover:
• Rochegude
> Saint-Jacques Chapel
• Monistrol d'Allier
> The Eiffel Bridge
> Vivier Beach
> Whitewater sports
> Saint-Pierre Church
• Saugues
> The Tour des Anglais
> Fantastic Museum of the Beast of Gévaudan
> Biological swimming
The Saint-James way (GR65) offers breathtaking scenery in Margeride! You'll soon leave Haute-Loire and hike in Lozère. This stage of the GR65 crosses the vast, wild and peaceful plateaus of Margeride. This stage is less hilly than the previous ones, but the landscapes remain magnificent and conducive to meditation.
Discover:
• La Clauze
> The polygonal tower
> Le Domaine du Sauvage
> The Saint-Roch chapel
The path carries you through the high plateaus of Margeride. You'll discover pretty little villages flanked by magnificent little churches as you reach the Aubrac region! This stage marks the transition between the wooded mountains of Margeride and the vast plateaus of Aubrac. It's a pleasant walk, without major difficulties, passing through forests, hamlets, and rolling meadows.
Discover:
• Saint-Alban-sur-Limagnole
> The European Bison Reserve
> Saint-Alban Castle
> The Church
• Les Estrets
> The Church
• Aumont-Aubrac
> Saint-Etienne Church
> The Priory House (Tourist Office)
The stage connecting Aumont-Aubrac to Nasbinals on the Way of St. James is one of the most beautiful sections of the GR65, offering hikers spectacular scenery and a preserved natural environment. It reveals Aubrac in all its splendor, with its vast plateaus, wooded mountains, and paths lined with low stone walls. The Trail takes you deep into Aubrac, offering endless landscapes, burons, and water. It's all there; you're walking through a true postcard. Before reaching Nasbinals, you cross the Roc des Loups and cross a magnificent bridge spanning the Bès River.
Places to discover:
• La Chaze de Peyre
> The church
• Rieutord d'Aubrac
> The village
• Nasbinals
> The town's general architecture
> The Romanesque church
> The Bès River
> The Déroc waterfall
Incredible Aubrac, landscapes as far as the eye can see... Water, chaotic rocks, meadows... Discover the magnificent village of Aubrac, which seems to have settled by chance in the heart of the meadows!
Discover:
• Aubrac
> The 12th-century Domerie Church
> The Tower of the Lost, which rang for lost pilgrims
> The old hospital
> The Maison de l'Aubrac
> Notre-Dame des Gentianes
• Saint-Chély d'Aubrac
> The Pilgrims' Bridge
> The Church
> The Washhouses
> The Half-timbered Houses
This stage of the GR65 marks the transition between the Aubrac Plateau and the Lot Valley, offering a beautiful variety of landscapes between mountains, forests, and medieval villages. It's time, perhaps with regret, to leave the Aubrac Plateau and head for the peaceful and majestic Lot Valley! You'll arrive in the magnificent town of Saint-Côme d'Olt and its twisted bell towers, waiting to be discovered...
Discover:
• Saint-Côme d'Olt - Labeled "Most Beautiful Villages of France"
> The twisted bell tower of the church
> The town's overall architecture
> The slate roofs
> The Chapel of the Penitents
> The gentle way of life on the banks of the Lot
You'll walk the Camino de Santiago along the Lot River, passing Espalion before reaching Estaing. Enjoy this stage rich in architectural discoveries. This stage of the GR65 follows the Lot Valley, alternating between forests, hills, and typical villages of northern Aveyron. It offers magnificent panoramas and passes through towns rich in heritage.
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. Peter's Church built of pink stone
• Estaing - Labeled "Most Beautiful Villages of France"
> The Gothic Bridge over the Lot
> Estaing Castle
Today, it will take courage to climb above the Lot River and reach the highlands. But "Ultréïa," Conques, is not far away!
An alternative route is available if you are staying in Campuac - Historical Route
Discover:
• Golinhac
> Romanesque Church
• Espeyrac
> Church
> A close connection with a Gallo-Roman centurion
You complete your journey and discover Conques, the pearl of Rouergue. Simply magnificent, with its Sainte-Foy Abbey seemingly emerging from nowhere! This legendary stage of the GR65 marks the arrival in Conques, one of the jewels of the pilgrimage. The route crosses rolling landscapes, forests, and small villages before a spectacular descent to Conques.
If staying in Campuac: Route via the GR6 to rejoin the GR65 at Campagnac
Discover:
> 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
You and your luggage will be picked up from the Étoile car park in Conques (8 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. depending on your choice) by a minibus to ensure your return to Puy-en-Velay (Arrival expected 12:15 p.m. or 5:15 p.m. depending on the 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:
If you wish to hike and carry your own backpack
Benefit from a €90 discount on your trip.
If you do not wish to take advantage of the return shuttle to Le Puy
Benefit from a €50 discount on your trip.
The Credencial The pilgrim’s passport to be stamped at each stop.
We offer the Credencial 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 credencial on site. Price: €7 / credencial when booking your hike
L’Autre Chemin has developed numerous partnerships with guesthouses and small hotels (, ***, or equivalent) to offer you comfort and authenticity, making each stage an opportunity to discover architecture, lifestyle, gastronomy, as well as a moment for exchange and meeting new people.
Please note: The stages along the route are determined according to the pace we consider most suitable. We strive to offer stages that provide comfort, discovery, and authenticity in hotels, guesthouses, gîtes, or unique accommodations. However, the level of comfort may vary. Usually, bathrooms are en-suite, but depending on availability at the time of booking, the bathroom or WC may be located on the landing or shared in some accommodations, though this remains relatively rare.
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
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