Camino de Santiago - The Puy Route
walking tours (France)

The most famous Camino route is called "the Puy Route". It starts in Le Puy-en-Velay and ends in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port where all the routes coming from Europe converge.

This is the most frequented route in France especially the section starting in Le Puy-en-Velay and ending in Conques or Cahors, 15 walking days later. This is an itinerary where you will find curiosities.The City of Le Puy en Velay is amazing with so many curiosities like Notre Dame de France on top of its rock, or the Cathedral and cloister showing strong Arab and Byzantine influences. The villages that you will cross like Estaing or Conques will remain in your memory. The landscapes are very varied starting with the rugged Velay mounts and farther the Margeride and the famous Aubrac plateau. The pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela, in the middle Age were feared to cross it because of the fog and snow even in early Spring. Now times have changed and you won't generally find any snow in April though we do not recommend to walk that area earlier.

The GR65 after Cahors winds its way through the orchards of Quercy.

The GR651 from Beduer (Figeac) is a variant to reach Cahors along the Cele River and the Lot River.

How long does it take to walk the whole Puy Route ?

The GR65, or Puy Route can be walked in 32 or 35 stages of 3 to 7 hour walks.(from 11 to 34 km). This route can be customized according to your level of fitness with shorter stages. From Le Puy en Velay to Saint Jean Pied de Port there are 738 km/459 miles.The waymarking is very clear and follows what we call in France a GR which means "Great Hiking footpath". All GR

The GR that you will follow on the Puy Route is called GR65. All GR are indentifiable by red and white stripes that you will find on houses walls or electrical poles or tree trunks or rocks.

There is no technical difficulty but before starting your trip you'd better practice walking several weeks before departure.

See under all the sections of the Puy Route or ask for your quotation : cecile@chemins-de-france.com