LENGTH: 9 days – 8 nights
HIKING LEVEL: EASY to MODERATE – 6 days of hiking
Double Occupancy: 8 Breakfasts – 8 Dinners
Discovery stay in Puy-en-Velay.
The pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela is certainly one of the oldest walks of all times. In France, the mythical Voie du Puy – or via Podiensis – more or less follows the ancient Via Agrippa traced by the Romans and which linked Lyon to Toulouse. A splendid itinerary of two weeks, with small steps and between two jewels of the way: the cathedral of Le Puy and the Romanesque wonder of Conques and its basilica.
This itinerary has been designed with short stages in order to make the most of the visits and discoveries along the way.
You are free to travel at your own pace with a detailed logbook.
Safe, this circuit is very well marked, frequented by many hikers and offers a shuttle service along the entire route that can be used if necessary to eliminate one of the stages in case of fatigue or to reach an accommodation.
It is an ideal formula for a first experience and to leave without worries.
Between the PUY-EN-VELAY and CONQUES, 3 tours (all double occupancy – lunch and dinner – with transfers at the beginning and end of the tour as the case may be) are proposed on this part of the CHEMIN DU PUY: 9, 13 or 18 days depending on your available time.
Departure from Montreal or other Canadian airport the day before day 1.
DAY 1:
Arrival at PUY-EN-VELAY at the end of the day. Drop off to your accommodation. Supper will be served. Installation dans l’hébergement. Dinner.
DAY 2: LE PUY-EN-VELAY
A good day of rest after the transatlantic flight to recover from jet lag and be ready for the next day’s departure. Visit of the city: the Romanesque cathedral and its 12th century cloister, the Cornelius Rock and the old medieval city. Dinner and accommodation.
DAY 3: LE PUY-EN-VELAY – MONBONNET (ou Bains)
After the blessing of the pilgrims and hikers, we will start the tour through the Velay mountains, the country of the lentil and the black sheep, in the heart of the volcanic chain of Devès. Dinner and accommodation in Montbonnet (or Bains).
Duration: 3 to 4 hrs – Distance : approx. 15 km
DAY 4: MONTBONNET – MONISTROL D’ALLIER
Continuation on the volcanic chain of Devès, the Lake of the egg, the village of St-Privat d’Allier and its priory, the hamlet of Rochegude – famous for its chapel St-Jacques and its old watchtower -. Dinner and accommodation in Monistrol d’Allier.
Duration: 4 to 5 hrs – Distance : 14 or 19 km
DAY 5: MONISTROL D’ALLIER – SAUGUES
Ascent by the Margueride plateau, the only difficulty – however acceptable – of this part of the path. On the way, discovery of the troglodyte chapel of the Madeleine, then in Saugues of the Tour des Anglais and the collegiate church St-Médard. Dinner and accommodation in Saugues.
Duration: 4 hrs – Distance : 12 km
DAY 6: SAUGUES – LE VILLERET D’APCHIER (ou Chanaleilles)
Discovery stage of the Margueride plateau with its typical villages, its lost hamlets, its pastures surrounded by stone walls and the leaning tower of La Clauze. Dinner and lodging.
Duration: 3 to 4 hrs – Distance: 12 or 15 km
DAY 7: LE VILLERET D’APCHIER – ST-ALBAN (Les Faux)
Discovery of the Hospitalet du Sauvage, located in a deserted pass at 1280 m of altitude and of the chapel of St-Roch, patron saint of pilgrims. A day in the heather and broom moors. Arrival at the hamlet of Les Faux for dinner and accommodation.
Duration: 4 to 4.5 hrs – Distance : 13 or 16 km
DAY 8: ST-ALBAN (Les Faux) – AUMONT-AUBRAC
This stage crosses the Margueride plateau to Aumont, gateway to Aubrac – Passage to Rouget, to the castle of St-Alban and to the charming village of Les Estrets and its combed bell tower (wall-belfry supporting another small bell tower). Dinner and lodging in Aumont-Aubrac.
Duration: 5 to 6 hrs – Distance : approx. 19 km
DAY 9: AUMONT-AUBRAC – LE PUY-EN-VELAY
Transfer back to LE PUY-EN-VELAY (Shuttle) and end of the tour.
To reach the start of this tour and return, two options exist from Canada, Montreal airport:
RESERVATIONS UPON REQUEST for flights and transfers according to your dates.
FROM AUMONT-AUBRAC TO CONQUES (REF # 0902B-COMP-LIB)
From CAD $1,305 per person.
FROM PUY-EN-VELAY TO CONQUES (REF # 0902A-COMP-LIB)
From CAD $1,695 per person.
www.nicolevoyage.com 450-455-0991 Toll Free: 1-877-455-0991
www.euro-rando.com 514-386-1704