Trip ID :

Le Puy Route - Section 1 - 6 Days/5 Nights - 89 km - From €410 -
From Le Puy en Velay to Aumont-Aubrac

The Via Podiensis or Le Puy Route was taken for the first time in 950 AD when the archbishop of Le Puy-en-Velay walked to the tomb of Saint James, opening the first non-Spanish route to Santiago. Along Le Puy Route, modern walkers enjoy various incredible landscapes and a rich medieval architectural heritage, as the Camino runs through some of the most typical rural French areas, and crossing towns and cities full of history.
Le Puy Route begins in Le Puy-en-Velay, a city set in a volcanic landscape, 130 kilometres South West of Lyon, in France. It continues through south-western France to the foothills of the Pyrenees, where this Camino joins up with the French Way - Camino Frances.

For the 1st section, Le Puy Route links the historical Le Puy-en-Velay to Aumont-Aubrac. Starting in Auvergne, famous for its green and sleepy volcanoes, the Camino runs through green yet rocky undulated landscapes. This leg may even seem to be more inhabited by grazing sheep and cattle than by men if it was not for its numerous medieval chapels, churches, towers and well-preserved towns that modern pilgrims encounter every day. The mountainous landscape make this section challenging but we have split the stages so they are of reasonable length and feasible by anybody with a reasonable level of fitness. Nature lovers, get ready: this is the perfect walking holiday for you!

Le Puy Route - Section 1 - 6 Days/5 Nights - 89 km - From €410 -
From Le Puy en Velay to Aumont-Aubrac

Day 1 : Le Puy-en-Velay
Day 2 : Le Puy-en-Velay to Saint-Privat d'Allier (24km)
Day 3 : Saint-Privat d'Allier to Saugues (20km)
Day 4 : Saugues to Les Faux (26km)
Day 5 : Les Faux to Aumont-Aubrac (19km)
Day 6 : Aumont-Aubrac

View General Map in a larger map

    DAY BY DAY

DAY 1 - Le Puy-en-Velay Le Puy-en-Velay is the historical starting point of Le Puy Route, and this is where archbishop Gothescalk departed from, in 950 AD, being the first ever pilgrim to reach the tomb of the apostle in Santiago de Compostela. Nowadays, UNESCO World Heritage sites in the city remind us of this time. Le Puy-en-Velay has always been a high sanctuary city as it also holds home to the mysterious Black Virgin, which has drawn pilgrims from all over Europe since the Middle Ages. The interest of Le-Puy-en-Velay is historical and cultural for sure, but the city also worth the visit for its picturesque location. Indeed, set between the Auvergne sleepy volcanoes and the Rhone Alpes valley, the lively old city charms visitors with the great views it offers over the surrounding low mountains. And there is much more to discover about this unique place! Town: ATM, Shops, all facilities DAY 2 – Le Puy-en-Velay to Saint- Privat d'Allier (24km, 6h15, +600m -350m) Starting at Notre-Dame du Puy Cathedral, modern pilgrims feel a certain emotion when walking down the stairs that have been the starting point of thousands of pilgrims en route to Santiago for the last millenium. The day is spent through the rounded green mountains of the Velay massif, offering beautiful sceneries all day long, before reaching Saint-Privat d'Allier. Town: ATM, Shops, all facilities Meals: Half Board DAY 3 – Saint-Privat d'Allier to Saugues (20km, 5h30, +650m -600m) This is a short enough walk but the consequent ascents and descents make it the most demanding stage of this first section. The rewarding side of it is that it offers wonderful views over the Velay massif and the Gévaudan plateau, and we also pass through picturesque villages and hamlets before arriving in Saugues. Town: ATM, Shops, all facilities Meals: Half Board

DAY 4 – Saugues to Les Faux (26km, 7h, +450m -350m) Today, we leave Saugues and its Tour des Anglais to continue up to reach Le Sauvage, a farm domain perched on top of a hill and dating back to the times of the Templars. The Camino then continues to enter La Lozère département at the Saint-Roch chapel and we conclude our day in Les Faux. Town: ATM, Shops, all facilities Meals: Half Board DAY 5 – Les Faux to Aumont-Aubrac (19km, 5h, +150m -200m) From Les Faux, we reach Saint-Alban sur Limagnole and its Roman Church. Then, it is a steep climb up to Grazières-Mages. We then start our way down to Les Estrets through peaceful wood and farmlands. Finally, we reach Aumont-Aubrac, gateway to the mythic Aubrac high plateaux. Town: ATM, Shops, all facilities Meals: Breakfast DAY 6 – Aumont-Aubrac After breakfast, we bid you farewell. Town: ATM, shops, all facilities Meal: Breakfast

WEATHER

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Le Puy Route - Section 1 - 6 Days/5 Nights - 89 km - From €410 -
From Le Puy en Velay to Aumont-Aubrac

 FLY IN AND OUT

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It is best to fly to Paris or Lyon, and then come back from Rodez.

1)    FLY IN

• To Lyon

Flights with almost every companies:
- See companies and timetables : www.lyon.aeroport.fr

• To Paris

Flights with almost every companies:
- From Orly airport
- See companies and timetables : www.aeroportsdeparis.fr

2)    FLY OUT

• From Lyon

See above.

• From Paris Orly

See above.

• From Rodez

GETTING AROUND

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1)    GETTING THERE

• From Lyon airport

By train :
- Towards Le Puy-en-Velay
- 2h30 journey
- See timetable and book online : www.voyages-sncf.com

• From Paris Orly

By train :

- Towards Le Puy-en-Velay
- See timetable and book online : www.voyages-sncf.com

By Airplane :
- With Hexair company
- From Paris Orly to Le Puy/Loudes airport
- Timetable : From Mon.to Fri.
- Twice departures a day, year round
- Get more infos : www.hexair.com

2)   GETTING BACK

• To Lyon

By train : Train 1, then train 2 :

Train 1 : From Aumont-Aubrac to Clermont-Ferrand :
- 2 hours journey
- See timetable : www.voyages-sncf.com

Then train 2 : From Clermont-Ferrand to Lyon :
- 1h45 journey
- See timetable : www.voyages-sncf.com

• To Rodez

First, from Aumont-Aubrac to Severac le Chateau :
By train :
- 1h15 journey
- See timetable : www.voyages-sncf.com

Then from Severac le Chateau to Rodez :
By bus :
- SNCF bus
- 20min journey
- See timetable : www.voyages-sncf.com

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FLIGHTS

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• see our Flight Search Map

• www.skyscanner.net

Searches most Airlines for best available connections and prices

• www.spanish-airport-guide.com

Le Puy Route - Section 1 - 6 Days/5 Nights - 89 km - From €410 -
From Le Puy en Velay to Aumont-Aubrac

HOTEL AND GUESTHOUSE GRADES - HOW WE CHOOSE YOUR ACCOMMODATION

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Our accommodation is selected based on a number of criteria, including location, comfort, services, price and character. We always try to book accommodation that is both on/near the Camino and also close to the historical quarter or centre of the town/city. This is facilitated by the fact that the Camino usually goes through the heart of each town and/or city.

In larger towns, which are usually at the beginning and end of each section, we book hotels of a 3* standard. In smaller towns/villages/hamlets in between the larger towns, we choose hotels or guesthouses of a 2* standard. However, there could be some exceptions to this rule, for example, in some small villages, our selection depends on local infrastructure and it may happen that the only possibility is a non-rated guesthouse. This does not mean it is not up to our standards only that it does not have an official classification, which is usually due to the rural and remote nature of parts of the Camino.

Given the reasons stated above, we do believe that a 2* hotel located in the historical centre is a better choice than a 3* hotel located in the outskirts of the town at a distance from the Camino. If our first choice is not available, we will use another accommodation of the same standard and price. If there is no such accommodation available, we may contact you to offer either an upgrade at a premium, or a downgrade with a refund, again based on local infrastructure in each area.

We are determined in our motto: to provide our customers with the best available on the Camino.

Le Puy Route - Section 1 - 6 Days/5 Nights - 89 km - From €410 -
From Le Puy en Velay to Aumont-Aubrac

Le Puy Route - Section 1 - 6 Days/5 Nights - 89 km - From €410 -
From Le Puy en Velay to Aumont-Aubrac

 

LIST OF PRICES AND OPTIONS

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	Base Price (€)	Double/Twin Room (pps)	Single Room	Solo Departure
	High Season Apr, May, Jun, Sep	550	684	684
	Mid Season Jul, Aug, Oct	500	614	614
	Low Season Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec	410	505	505

 

Options	Picnic Lunches	€40 (per person)	includes all walking days
	Airport Transfer 2 - 8 people	€75 (per person)	Transport to Le Puy-en-Velay from Lyon For information on transfers for more passengers or from other airports, please ask us.

 

	Extra nights (€) Le Puy-en-Velay / Aumont-Aubrac / Lyon	Double/Twin Room (pps)	Single Room
	2* Hotel B&B	44	60

Special rates for groups of 6+

INCLUDED Luggage transferred from hotel to hotel Rooms en-suite Half Board during the hike Detailed Walking Notes Map Pilgrim passport

NOT INCLUDED Flights Insurance (recommended) Drinks Dinner first and last nights Transfer from/to airport

 

If you have any questions about prices, please consult our FAQ's or Contact us.