Journey through the heart of rural France on the iconic Via Podiensis, where rolling hills, ancient pilgrimage shrines, and timeless villages create an inspiring route from Le Puy-en-Velay to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. Experience the best of the French countryside and culture as you traverse historic market towns, dramatic river valleys, and the legendary Aubrac plateau, all while following in the footsteps of centuries of pilgrims heading to Santiago de Compostela.

Ideal for long-distance walkers and those seeking a classic pilgrimage adventure, this comprehensive Cicerone guidebook presents the complete Via Podiensis (GR65), described in 28 day-long stages and covering 735km (457 miles) through southern France. Two major variants, the stunning Célé Valley and the evocative Rocamadour route, offer alternative paths, alongside connections to the Camino del Norte, enabling you to tailor your journey to your ambitions and schedule.

• Includes advice for walking the route in sections, making the Via Podiensis accessible whether you have a month or just a week or two to spare, and depending on whether you’re looking for a gentle pace or a more challenging itinerary.
• Each stage description includes an at-a-glance information box with start and finish points, total ascent/descent, accommodation, and refreshment options - perfect for planning your journey along the Chemin du Puy.
• Explore the charm of France’s most beautiful villages along the Via Podiensis, including Estaing, Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, and Lauzerte, discover world-renowned pilgrimage sites such as Conques and Rocamadour, and enjoy the warm hospitality of local gîtes and inns.
• The Via Podiensis is best walked from spring through autumn, when fields and valleys are lush, accommodation is plentiful, and local bakeries and cafés welcome pilgrims with delicious regional fare.
• Features 1:100,000 mapping and larger-scale urban maps for key towns, plus free downloadable GPX tracks for every stage, ensuring confident navigation and route-finding throughout your Via Podiensis pilgrimage.
• Covers essential Via Podiensis planning advice, fitness, equipment, travel, public transport, and accommodation in pilgrim lodgings, guesthouses, and inns, as well as guidance on food, local customs, and practicalities such as pilgrim credentials and baggage transport.

Plan your pilgrimage on the Via Podiensis with the definitive Cicerone guidebook and discover a route that blends spiritual tradition, French hospitality, and the ever-changing beauty of the southern French countryside, from Le Puy-en-Velay to the gateway of the Pyrenees.

Via Podiensis – Le Puy-en-Velay to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port: Quick Facts

Location: Southern France, from Le Puy-en-Velay to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
Number of stages: 28 stages (with two major variants: Célé Valley and Rocamadour)
Distance: 735km (457 miles)
Duration: 4–6 weeks; 28 daily stages 16–35km (10–22 miles)
Areas covered: Le Puy-en-Velay, Conques, Estaing, Figeac, Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, Cahors, Lauzerte, Moissac, Condom, Rocamadour (variant), Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
Route type: Pilgrimage path (GR65), river valleys, limestone plateaux, rolling farmland, historic towns and villages
Difficulty: Moderate long-distance trek, suitable for any reasonably fit walker
Terrain: Varied countryside, river gorges, high plateaux (Aubrac), agricultural fields, forested hills, and picturesque French villages
Navigation: 1:100,000 mapping, larger-scale urban maps, detailed route descriptions, free downloadable GPX tracks
Best season: Spring to autumn (April–October; best weather and full service availability)
Highlights: Medieval villages, UNESCO World Heritage sites, pilgrimage shrines (Conques, Rocamadour), scenic valleys (Lot, Célé), French gastronomy, welcoming gîtes and auberges
Equipment: Comfortable walking shoes/boots, rain gear, layered clothing, daypack, basic pilgrimage gear
Accommodation: Gîtes d’étape, small hotels, guesthouses, and pilgrim lodgings throughout the route
 

Author Highlight

"Be warned: if you journey forth on pilgrimage on the Via Podiensis, you will spend the rest of your days longing to return. Distinguished by delightful and historic French villages and pleasing walking through idyllic countryside, the route offers tranquility and charm in equal measure. With small bakeries churning out pain au chocolat in the morning, rustic cafés offering delicious lunches, and home-cooked dinners served with warm hospitality each evening, it’s hard not to feel an all-encompassing joie de vivre.” 

- Dave Whitson, author of Camino de Santiago - Via Podiensis

Overview map of the Via Podiensis

Route summary tables

Map key

Introduction

The stories of St James and St Roch

The Via Podiensis: yesterday and today

Regions encountered along the route

A turbulent history

Planning your walk

Choosing your route

When to go

Preparation and planning

Being a pilgrim

Getting there and back

Where to stay

Tips for making the most of your walk

What to pack

Food and drink

Postal services and baggage transportation

Telephones and internet

Other local facilities

How to use this guide

Route descriptions

Route summary information

Walking directions and waymarking

Municipality information headings

Accommodation listings

Elevation profiles

Maps

GPX tracks

Planning tools

The Via Podiensis

Stage 1 Le Puy-en-Velay to Montbonnet

Stage 2 Montbonnet to Saugues

Stage 3 Saugues to Domaine du Sauvage

Stage 4 Domaine du Sauvage to Aumont-Aubrac

Stage 5 Aumont-Aubrac to Nasbinals

Stage 6 Nasbinals to Saint-Côme-d’Olt

Stage 7 Saint-Come-d’Ôlt to Estaing

Stage 8 Estaing to Conques

Stage 9 Conques to Livinhac-le-Haut

Stage 10 Livinhac-le-Haut to Figeac

Stage 11 Figeac to Cajarc

Stage 12 Cajarc to Varaire

Stage 13 Varaire to Cahors

Stage 14 Cahors to Lascabanes

Stage 15 Lascabanes to Lauzerte

Stage 16 Lauzerte to Moissac

Stage 17 Moissac to Auvillar

Stage 18 Auvillar to Lectoure

Stage 19 Lectoure to Condom

Stage 20 Condom to Éauze

Stage 21 Éauze to Nogaro

Stage 22 Nogaro to Aire-sur-l’Adour

Stage 23 Aire-sur-l’Adour to Arzacq-Arraziguet

Stage 24 Arzacq-Arraziguet to Arthez-de-Béarn

Stage 25 Arthez-de-Béarn to Navarrenx

Stage 26 Navarrenx to Aroue

Stage 27 Aroue to Ostabat-Asme

Stage 28 Ostabat-Asme to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

Célé Valley variant

Stage C1 Figeac to Espagnac-Sainte-Eulalie

Stage C2 Espagnac-Sainte-Eulalie to Marcilhac-sur-Célé

Stage C3 Marcilhac-sur-Célé to Cabrerets

Stage C4 Cabrerets to Saint-Cirq-Lapopie

Stage C5 Saint-Cirq-Lapopie to Cahors

Rocamadour variant

Stage R1 Figeac to Lacapelle-Marival

Stage R2 Lacapelle-Marival to Gramat

Stage R3 Gramat to Rocamadour

Stage R4 Rocamadour to Labastide-Murat

Stage R5 Labastide-Murat to Vers

Stage R6 Vers to Cahors

Connecting to the Camino del Norte

The GR10

The Voie Nive Bidassoa

Appendix A Stage planning tables

Appendix B Useful sources of information

Appendix C English–French glossary

Appendix D Suggestions for further reading

Appendix E Major festivals along the way

Seasons

Spring and autumn are ideal: pleasant temperatures and reasonable precipitation. Summer can be hot but it's less crowded and many businesses/attractions have extended opening hours. The route is technically feasible in winter but sees few walkers, and many services close.

Centres

There are very few towns exceeding (or even approaching) a population of 10,000. The major population centres are Le-Puy-en-Velay, Figeac, Cahors, Moissac, Condom and Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. Notable smaller places include Conques, Espalion, Rocamadour, Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, Lauzerte and Navarrenx.

Difficulty

No special equipment is required and the route is navigable by all walkers. It is easily scalable to ability, with regularly spaced accommodation and baggage transport available. Most days involve tiring ups and downs on uneven terrain but nothing technical.

Must See

The Aubrac plateau, a stunningly rugged high-level region; the Lot Valley, containing a series of 'the most beautiful villages in France', perched on the winding river; the Célé River Valley, featuring limestone cliffs, prehistoric cave paintings and more idyllic villages; the pilgrimage centres of Rocamadour and Conques; the Western Pyrenees

June 2025

Page 268

December 2022

Author updates

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