CAMINO DE SANTIAGO - LE PUY ROUTE The French route along the Camino de Santiago start s in the town of Le Puy and follows the pilgrims path south to the Pyrenees, close to the S panish border. Otherwise known as the ‘Via Podensis’ the trail follows the popular GR65 path p assing many churches, cathedrals and small medieval villages en-route. People of all ages an d all walks of lives undertake this pilgrimage for many different reasons. Meeting fellow pilgrims, s haring stories and like many of those who choose to walk the Camino de Santiago, gain a very special spiritual insight.

Modern pilgrims choose to walk the French Camino for personal, spiritual or religious reasons or simply to take some time out from their busy modern lives. Whatever your reason for starting, you are sure to become addicted to this wonderful journey through its breathtaking landscape in rural France.

Macs Adventure offers the route between Le Puy and Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in many different sections depending on how much time you have. They range from a week long or if combined will form a pilgrimage of over 6 weeks in length. Once a fairly quiet route, it is now becoming one of the more popular routes to travel along the Camino.

• Beautiful churches and medieval villages along the French Way

• Experiencing the local French cuisine and local win es along the trail

• Meeting fellow pilgrims, hearing their stories and travel tips along the way

• Completing a unique and rewarding journey through r ural France

WHY CHOOSE A SELF GUIDED WALK ON THE CAMINO WITH US?

Macs Adventure is a small, energetic company dedicated to delivering adventure excellence. Our involvement with the Camino began in 2006 when a close friend walked the Camino and was enthralled by the experience of the pilgrimage but less so with the basic accommodation and food in the hostels and refuges. We decided to use our long experience of organising unforgettable walking holidays with carefully selected accommodation to offer the Camino pilgrimage with hand-picked accommodation for those walkers who prefer a little more comfort.

We know the Camino intimately and are passionate about delivering outstanding walking holidays on the Camino where every last detail is taken care of. Each holiday we offer is unique and can be tailor made to meet your requirements. Carefully selected accommodation with breakfast and an evening meal are included aswell as baggage transfers, a guide book, detailed maps and emergency support. Extra nights are advisable and available as options.

MINOE SANTIAGO

CAMINO DE SANTIAGO

LE PUY ROUTE THROUGH RURAL FRANCE

SUMMARY

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

Accommodation: Along the trail you will be stay-ing in rural hotels and B&B’s. Meals: Breakfast and an evening meal is included every night (except in Cahors) Baggage Transfer: Daily Transfers Included Information Pack : Guide Book, detailed maps and Info Pack.

Tour: Camino de Santiago - Le Puy Route

Code: WFSCDSLP S1-6

Type: Self-Guided Walking Holiday

Price: See Website

Single Supplement: See Website

Dates: May to October

Walking Days: 5-8

Nights: 6-9

Start: Le Puy en Velay

Finish: St Jean Pied de Port

Distance: 87 - 159 km per section

Grade: Moderate

HIGHLIGHTS

Is the French Camino For Me? The Camino attracts a wide range of pilgrims from around the world who walk for many different reasons. If you are looking for an uplifting and life changing journey along one of the Camino routes then the French Camino may be the one for you.. Medieval villages and local French cuisine are highlights!

The French Route along the Camino can be split into shorter week long stages. You can walk each of the stages individually over a period of months or years or combine them to walk the entire route in one push over 6 weeks walking.

STAGE 1 - LE PUY EN VELAY TO NASBINALS

Walking Days: 5 Nights: 6 Average Daily Distance: 23km Grade: Moderate Description: Take time to explore the old

town of Le Puy before setting off on your

pilgrimage journey. The first section to St

Privat D’Allier is mostly uphill and you pass

through a variety of different terrain en-

route to Nasbinals. Ranging from gorge

crossings to vast open paths with fabulous

views. The Margeride Plateau with its

characteristic villages and secluded

hamlets are highlights along this section.

STAGE 2 - NASBINALS TO CONQUES

Walking Days: 5 Nights: 6 Average Daily Distance: 17km Grade: Moderate Description: This stage of the camino

passes through some beautiful villages

such as St Come d’Olt and Estaing. Many

of the sections on this stage are fairly

short and will leave you time in the

afternoon to explore the surrounding

villages.

STAGE 3 - CONQUES TO CAHORS

Walking Days: 6 Nights: 7 Average Daily Distance: 27km Grade: Moderate Description: Visit the abbey of Conques

before you set off today with its

Romanesque sculpture and Artifacts.

There are a couple of sections on this

stage that are long but provide wonderful

views and you can make stops in the

picturesque villages along the way.

STAGE 4 - CAHORS TO LECTOURE

Walking Days: 5 Nights: 6 Average Daily Distance: 25km Grade: Moderate

Description: This stage starts by passing

a 12th Century fortress in Lauzerte which

is worth a visit. You will pass many

chateaus and the small hilltop town of

Auvillar with its circular medieval market

hall. Day Route Km

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Arrive in Le Puy en Velay Walk to St Privat D’Allier Walk to Sauges Walk to Les Faux Walk to Aumont Aubrac Walk to Nasbinals Onward Travel

23 18 26 21 26

Total Distance 114

ITINERARY: WFCDSLP2

CAMINO DE SANTIAGO

LE PUY ROUTE THROUGH RURAL FRANCE

Day Route Km

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Arrive in Conques Walk to Decazeville/Livinhac Walk to Figeac Walk to Cajarc Walk to Limongne en Quercy Walk to Lalbenque Walk to Cahors Onward Travel

20-23

26-29 30 18 24 21

Total Distance 157-

163

ITINERARY: WFCDSLP1

Day Route Km

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Arrive in Nasbinals Walk to St Chely D’Aubrac Walk to St Come D’Olt Walk to Estaing Walk to Espeyrac Walk to Conques Onward Travel

17 16 16 25 13

Total Distance 87

ITINERARY: WFCDSLP3

Day Route Km

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Arrive in Cahors (dinner not included) Walk to Montcuq Walk to Durfort Walk to Moissac Walk to Auvillar Walk to Miradoux Walk to Lectoure Onward Travel

33 22 16 21 17 15

Total Distance 124

ITINERARY: WFCDSLP4

DETAILED ITINERARIES

STAGE 5 - LECTOURE TO AIRE SUR

ADOUR

Walking Days: 6 Nights: 7 Average Daily Distance: 19km Grade: Moderate Description: This stage starts in Lectoure

- a Spa town which is one of the oldest

towns in the Gers. The path carries on to

La Romieu with its impressive church and

cloisters. Follow on to Montreal du Gers

which is a small town with interesting old

houses and a 13th century church. The last

section follows farmland and through

Nogaro before reaching Aire sur Adour.

STAGE 6 - AIRE SUR ADOUR TO ST JEAN PIED DE PORT

Walking Days: 8 Nights: 9 Average Daily Distance: 22km Grade: Moderate Description: Aire is an ancient Roman

town with a wonderful cathedral which is

worth a visit before you set off today. The

next section is fairly flat and easy walking

passing many churches before arriving in

St Jean Pied de Port.

NAVIGATION

This route is waymarked and follows the GR65. Red and white horizontal stripes are markers on the route and these can be found on sign posts, rocks and on wooden posts.

Additional Nights

There is so much to see and do along the route that many of our clients choose to add extra nights along the walk either as a rest day or simply to do some extra sightseeing/walking. If you are walking the whole route solo try not to add too many extra nights along the way as you will lose touch with those you have met. We would definitely recommend extra nights in the larger towns and villages.

Accommodation

The accommodation on this route will be a mixture of rural 2 star hotels and B&B’s. They all offer a warm welcome to walkers, traditional hospitality and delicious local food. We do

recommend that you book this trip early as the area is always popular and the hotels and B&B’s do fill up early.

Single Rooms/Solo Walkers

The Camino is available to solo walkers at a supplement. Single rooms are available although a single occupancy supplement is payable.

Compostela/Pilgrims Passport

The pilgrims passport is issued by the church of St James and you can collect it from the local church in the village before you start walking. You need to get the passport stamped in churches, restaurants and hotels along the way. For the other sections of the trail, the passport is used as a souvenir with all the colourful stamps you will receive.

Meals

A local breakfast is included each morning aswell as an evening meal each night (apart from in Conques). Lunch is available locally and can be bought from a local shop or village en-route.

Baggage Transfer

Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight accommodation. You are limited to one piece per person and the maximum weight per piece of luggage is 12kg.

Equipment

Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, lightweight clothes, waterproofs and a day pack.

Availability

The Camino is best enjoyed from May to October. Any earlier and there will be snow underfoot especially as you cross the Pyrenees. You can start on any date that suits your travel plans and you will find up to date availability on our website.

CAMINO DE SANTIAGO

LE PUY ROUTE THROUGH RURAL FRANCE

Day Route Km

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Arrive in Lectoure Walk to La Romieu Walk to Condom Walk to Montreal du Gers Walk to Eauze Walk to Nogaro Walk to Aire sur Adour Onward Travel

19 16 17 16 20 28

Total Distance 116

ITINERARY: WFCDSLP5

ITINERARY: WFCDSLP6

Day Route Km

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10

Arrive in Aire sur Adour Walk to Miramont Sensacq Walk to Larreule/overnight Casteide Candau Walk to Maslacq Walk to Navarrenx Walk to Lichos Walk to St Palais Walk to Larceveau Walk to St Jean Pied de

Port Onward Travel

20 25 23 20 18 18 17 18

Total Distance 159

Price

Please see our Website for a current list of prices.

Included

•Accommodation in small rural hotels and B&B’s •Breakfast each morning and an evening meal each night (apart from Conques)

•Daily luggage transfer

•A Cicerone Guidebook (The Way of St James) France

•A detailed information pack for the group leader including route notes, maps, local information on arrival.

•Emergency support from our local and UK offices in the event of a problem.

Excluded

• Return travel to France

• Lunches, snacks and drinks.

• Travel Insurance.

• Personal Equipment.

• Taxi transfers or public transport should you need to skip a stage.

Getting to Le Puy

By Air :

The closest International Airport to Le Puy is Lyon, which is approx. 150km away. Many International flights fly into Lyon so its very easily accessible from Europe and overseas.

By Train: You can catch the train from Lyon to Le Puy which takes approx. 2 and a half hrs. Up to date timetables can be found at the French Rail Network: http://www.sncf.co.uk/

Getting from St Jean Pied de Port

By Air:

The closest airport to St Jean Pied de Port is Biarritz which is on the west coast of France, other close airports are Pau in France. Pamplona and San Sebastian are also close in Spain.

By Train:

From St Jean Pied de Port you can take the mountain railway to Bayonne (1hrs 30 mins approx.) and then the airport bus to Biarritz (25mins), or any other onward jouneys from Bayonne throughout France.

Visas

Please check your visa requirements with the foreign office before travelling to France www.fco.gov.uk. UK passport holders do not need a visa if they are staying for less than 3 months.

Travellers to France may need to supply their airline their date of birth, nationality and passport number before flying.

Language

It is highly recommended to know some of the French language before you set off on the Camino. Not many people speak English in rural France and you will find it difficult if you can’t communicate

Once you have read all the information in this factsheet or our website and decided on your preferred itinerary, visit our website or give us a call to confirm availability. You can then book securely online at www.macsadventure.com by

phone: +44 (0) 141 530 8886, Fax/Post: Download or request a booking form and post it to Macs Adventure Ltd, 44 Speirs Wharf, Glasgow, G4 9TH, UK or fax it to +44 (0) 845 527 5688.

Financial Security

In accordance with "The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations1992" all passengers booking with Macs Adventure Ltd are fully protected for the initial deposit and subsequently the balance of all monies paid to us, including repatriation if required (this insurance will not cover repatriation to the country of origin for the passengers outside of the EU), arising from cancellation or curtailment of your travel arrangements due to the insolvency of Macs Adventure Ltd

9280.

ABTA Member Statement

Macs Adventure Holidays is a Member of ABTA. ABTA and ABTA Members help holidaymakers to get the

most from their travel and assist when things don’t go according to plan. We are obliged to maintain a high standard of service to you by ABTA’s Code of Conduct.

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CAMINO DE SANTIAGO

LE PUY ROUTE THROUGH RURAL FRANCE

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