What if 2026 was your year to embark on the path to Saint-Jacques

Published on 05 Jan 2026

Reading time: 4 min.

What if 2026 was the year you finally decided to live the path of Saint-JacquesThe Camino de Santiago? Starting from Le Puy-en-Velay, the iconic starting point of the pilgrimage, the journey becomes a unique experience—intimate, humanistic, and deeply rooted in history. Every year, thousands of walkers from around the world choose to begin their adventure here. Why not you?

Le Puy-en-Velay,

A departure steeped in history and emotion

Walk towards Saint-Jacques-of-Compostelle since Le Puy-en-VelayIt is to enter into the most ancient tradition of pilgrimage. At dawn, the ascent towards the Notre-Dame cathedral and the blessing of the pilgrims create a powerful moment that marks the beginning of your journey.

Make his Saint-Jacques

Luke Olivier

Le Puy-en-Velay, CAPITAL!

From the very first kilometers, the volcanic landscapes, open plateaus and small villages of Velay create an ideal setting to begin walking, refocus, breathe and already feel the spirit of the path. Saint-Jacques !

The Via Podiensis, stretching nearly 755 km to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, is renowned for the beauty and diversity of its landscapes, the richness of its heritage, and the quality of its hospitality. It is a legendary route, often considered the most beautiful of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage routes.

All roads lead

in Puy-en-Velay

Le Puy-en-Velay is not just a starting point: it is also a major crossroads for long-distance hiking trails in France. Three routes all lead to Le Puy-en-Velay before joining the Via Podiensis:

the way of Geneva
the way of Lyon
the way of Cluny

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These routes, originating respectively in Switzerland, the Rhône Valley, and Burgundy, offer varied landscapes and a gradual approach to the journey. Some walkers thus choose to reach Le Puy-en-Velay via one of these routes and then continue their pilgrimage to Compostela on the Via Podiensis.

GR765 Route de Lyon - Rochefort — GR765 Lyon-Rochefort Route, © Luc Olivier

GR765 Voie de Cluny - Briennon — GR765 Lyon-Rochefort Route, © Luc Olivier

Le Puy-en-Velay is therefore an obligatory stop, a meeting place where paths, stories and motivations intersect, further reinforcing the intensity of the departure.

A path

tailored to your desires

Contrary to popular belief, making your Saint-Jacques This does not necessarily mean walking the entire Via Podiensis in one go. From Le Puy-en-Velay, it is perfectly possible to experience the route in stages, at your own pace and according to your availability.

Luke Olivier

To each their own path!

Some walkers choose to walk for just a few days to experience the atmosphere of the trail (as far as Saint-Privat-d'Allier or Saugues). Others return every year to continue their progress, stage by stage. Still others take ten days to reach the medieval village of Conques.

Le Puy-en-Velay offers an ideal setting to begin your journey thanks to infrastructure designed to accommodate all types of hikers: varied accommodations, services dedicated to walkers, and transport for people and luggage. Even beginners quickly feel at ease.

Where to park?

Parking Foch

Services

Book online

Le Puy-en-Velay

Parking Estroulhas

Services

Le Puy-en-Velay

Parking du Saint-Jacques à Aiguilhe

Services

Open. Closes at 22 p.m.

Aiguilhe

Parking Quincieu

Services

Aiguilhe

Parking de la Gare – Pôle Intermodal

Services

Le Puy-en-Velay

Train Station Parking – Intermodal Hub, © Mobility in Velay

Parking des Carmes

Services

Open. Closes at 00 p.m.

Le Puy-en-Velay

Carmes car park — Carmen Parking, © Carmen Parking

Parking Montredon

Services

Le Puy-en-Velay

Montredon car park — Montredon Parking, © Mobility in Velay

Parking autocar (dépose-minute)

Services

Le Puy-en-Velay

Parking souterrain du Breuil

Services

Le Puy-en-Velay

Parking autocar – Pôle Intermodal

Services

Le Puy-en-Velay

Parking Place Carnot

Services

Le Puy-en-Velay

Parking Michelet 1 et 2

Services

Le Puy-en-Velay

View all

2026:

And why not you?

Everything points to 2026 being the ideal year to embark on the path to Saint-Jacques: enhanced promotion of the departure from Puy-en-Velay, services increasingly adapted to walkers and a collective dynamic that makes you want to join this great wave of modern pilgrims.
If the idea has been with you for a long time, if you've already thought about walking but never dared to take the plunge, 2026 could be the year you finally decide. Le Puy-en-Velay offers you everything you need for a peaceful, organized, and deeply inspiring first departure!

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