Camino de Santiago - Via Podiensis

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.

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

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