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Follow The Camino | walk activity
'An historical start in Auvergne'
Le Puy Route - Section 1 - Donkey
From Le Puy-en-Velay to Aumont-Aubrac
Follow The Camino | Donkey
Follow The Camino | Walking activity

Trip ID :

- Follow The Camino | Walking activity
- 90.5 km
- 7 Nights / 8 Days (6 walking days)
- From €810
- Donkey
- Cultural (UNESCO)

Le Puy Route - Section 1 - Donkey - 7 Nights / 8 Days (6 walking days) - 90.5 km - From €810 -
From Le Puy-en-Velay to Aumont-Aubrac

The Donkey has been the traditional pilgrim's companion since the very begining, centuries ago. 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.

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 is just the right stretch of the Camino to travel with a donkey, where sometimes time seems to have stopped.

Our Donkey Camino is a walking holiday accompanied by the animal which will also be carrying your luggage. Donkeys are very gentle creatures and despite their stubborn reputation, it is the perfect friend to walk along the Camino, carrying your luggage without any hassles. The great thing about walking along Le Puy route with a donkey is that it is suitable for absolutely everybody, families included, as no donkey caring experience is required! You will be given a short training by our donkey carer in Le Puy-en-Velay, and you will then be ready to enjoy this unique experience with your long eared friend.
Walking our Donkey Camino will remain an unforgettable journey, and we know from experience that at the end of your holiday, you will not want to leave your new friend!

Follow The Camino | Walking activity

Le Puy Route - Section 1 - Donkey - 7 Nights / 8 Days (6 walking days) - 90.5 km - From €810 -
From Le Puy-en-Velay to Aumont-Aubrac

Day 1 : Le Puy-en-Velay
Day 2 : Le Puy-en-Velay to Montbonnet  (16km)
Day 3 : Montbonnet to Monistrol d`Allier (14.5km)
Day 4 : Monistrol d'Allier to Saugues (15km)
Day 5 : Saugues to Chanaleilles (11km)
Day 6 : Chanaleilles to Saint Alban sur Limagnole (16km)
Day 7 : Saint Alban sur Limagnole to Aumont-Aubrac (20km)
Day 8 : Aumont-Aubrac, end of the walking holiday


View Camino Le Puy - Donkey 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 apostol 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!



DAY 2 – Le Puy-en-Velay to Montbonnet  (16km)

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. Before heading off on your route this morning, make your way to the meeting point in Espaly, where you will be introduced to your new friend, the donkey. After a short lesson on caring for your animal, continue your route together with your new companion. The day is spent through the rounded green mountains of the Velay massif, offering beautiful scenery all day long, before reaching Montbonnet.



DAY 3 – Montbonnet to Monistrol d`Allier (14.5km)
After the lush rural landscapes of central France, today we leave the farms and forests, and begin our descent towards Saint Privat d`Allier and its 12th century Romanesque church. Climbing out of the valley, we reach the hamlet of Rochegude,  famous for its St James` chapel,  before we make our  final descent into Monistrol d`Allier.

 

 

DAY 4 – Monistrol d'Allier to Saugues (15km)
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.

 

DAY 5 – Saugues to Chanaleilles (11km)

Today, we embark on a short days`walk, leaving 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. We conclude our day in Chanaleilles.

 

 

Day 6 - Chanaleilles to Saint Alban sur Limagnole (16km)

The Camino then continues to enter La Lozère département at the Saint-Roch chapel erected in this deserted mountain gap beside a hospital for travellers and pilgrims. From Les Faux, we reach Saint-Alban sur Limagnole and its Roman Church.

 

  Day 7 – Saint Alban sur Limagnole to Aumont-Aubrac (20km)

From Saint Alban,

the Camino descends through the valley of Le Truyere. 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.

 

Day 8 - Aumont-Aubrac

After breakfast we bid you farewell.

 

 

WEATHER


Le Puy Route - Section 1 - Donkey - 7 Nights / 8 Days (6 walking days) - 90.5 km - From €810 -
From Le Puy-en-Velay to Aumont-Aubrac

 FLY IN AND OUT

 

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



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
 

Searches most Airlines for best available connections and prices

Le Puy Route - Section 1 - Donkey - 7 Nights / 8 Days (6 walking days) - 90.5 km - From €810 -
From Le Puy-en-Velay to Aumont-Aubrac


HOTEL AND GUESTHOUSE GRADES - HOW WE CHOOSE YOUR ACCOMMODATION

 

              

 

Walking on the Camino with a donkey means we first have to take in consideration that the accomodation has facilities to host the animal. It means we sometimes have to compromise on comfort, but the majority of our selected accomodation still offers private rooms and character. When private en suite rooms cannot be guaranteed, we use 4 or 6 bed rooms with shared facilities.

 

              

 

Our policy is to select the best available accomodation in its category at any given time, to make sure your holiday is as valuable as possible. If an accommodation is not available, we may have to find an alternative that is as suitable as possible.


              

Le Puy Route - Section 1 - Donkey - 7 Nights / 8 Days (6 walking days) - 90.5 km - From €810 -
From Le Puy-en-Velay to Aumont-Aubrac


















Le Puy Route - Section 1 - Donkey - 7 Nights / 8 Days (6 walking days) - 90.5 km - From €810 -
From Le Puy-en-Velay to Aumont-Aubrac

Follow The Camino | Booking Form
Follow The Camino | Request Form

 

 

LIST OF PRICES AND OPTIONS

 

 

Base Price (without Donkey)

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

 

 In addition to the above package price, please add on the price of the donkey depending on the number of people travelling and the duration.  Please note 1 Donkey generally can carry the luggage of 2 people (2 bags - 30kgs total). *

 

Donkey prices (€) 

( to be added to above prices)

6 days walking

13 walking days (if combined with Puy 2 Donkey)

 

 1 Donkey

 

400

 

650

 

2 Donkeys

 

550 

 

950 

 

 

Extra nights (€)

Le Puy-en-Velay / Aumont-Aubrac

Double/Twin Room (pps)

Single Room

2* Hotel B&B

 44 60

 

Children may ride on donkey`s back for part of the journey, alternating with luggage carried so as not to exceed donkey`s weight capacity.

 * - Additional luggage transfers can be arranged if required for an extra fee.  Contact Us

INCLUDED


  • Donkey
  • Overnight facilities for Donkey
  • Private Rooms (en-suite where possible)
  • Half Board during the hike
  • Detailed Walking Notes
  • Map
  • Pilgrim passport

NOT INCLUDED


  • Flights
  • Insurance (recommended)
  • Drinks
  • Dinner first and last night
  • Transfer from/to airport
  • Transfer of luggage (Donkey carries up to 30kgs)

 

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

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