GR®765 Path of Saint-Jacques

Stage 1: From Cluny to Tramayes: 19,5 km

On foot Cluny

In Saône et Loire, Cluny Abbey is the starting point for walkers who are about to take the path of Saint-Jacques-of Compostela. The route is without difficulty until the village of Sainte-Cécile where it rises on a crest between the Grosne valley and the Valouzin valley. Then, you will arrive in Tramayes where the famous poet Alphonse de Lamartine liked to stop.

Stage 2: From Tramayes to Ouroux: 16,5 km

16,5 on foot, on foot Tramayes

This stage allows walkers to find themselves in the heart of the Mâconnais region, where one of the highest points is the signal of Mère Boitier at 758 m altitude.

À Cenves, you arrive in the Rhône department and walk until Saint-Jacques-stops to see his church. An essential stopover for pilgrims which hosts a permanent exhibition of paintings by Jean Fusaro, master of French lyrical figurative painting. A few kilometers separate you from Ouroux for a well-deserved break!

Stage 3: From Ouroux to Propières: 20,5 km

20,5 on foot Ouroux

The Rhône stage, starting from Ouroux, unfolds primarily in the heart of nature, through the forest, with a remarkable passage over the "roof of the Rhône." More precisely, Mont Saint-Rigaud , which rises to 1009m and offers beautiful panoramic views of the Beaujolais Vert region. It is also one of the UNESCO Global Geopark Beaujolais sites , recognized for the unique richness of its geological heritage. Its spring is even said to possess miraculous properties… After passing the Croix du Pendu (Hanging Cross) and then the Col de Crie (Crie Pass ), the village of Propières comes into view.

Stage 4: From Propières to Cergne: 19 km

19 on foot Clean

A few kilometers past Propières , the Col des Echarmeaux (712 m altitude) offers a panoramic view of the Azergues valley. Hikers then find themselves on the watershed between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean . Between ascents and descents, the path crosses the Col des Aillets (715 m altitude), the Col des Ecorbans (825 m altitude), and the Col de la Bûche (683 m altitude). After this climb, arriving at the village of Cergne marks a change of department; you are now in the Loire!

Stage 5: From Cergne to Charlieu: 17 km

17 on foot

Now for the descent to Charlieu ! A small town on the Loire River, it exudes a sweet scent of French history with its famous 9th-century Benedictine abbey. Also worth visiting are the Cordeliers convent , the Church of Saint-Philibert , and the Silk Museum housed in an 18th-century building.

On the way to Cluny of the Chemin de Saint-Jacques, Charlieu is like a new starting point. Here we enter the territory Roanne.

Stage 6: From Charlieu to Saint-Romain-la-Motte: 24 km

24 on foot charlieu

This stage allows walkers to enjoy the rich local heritage and verdant landscapes. The route first follows the Sornin valley, one of the main local tributaries of the Loire, then crosses this untamed and capricious river alongside a tranquil canal, the Roanne to Digoin canal.

At the end of the day, don't miss the Abbey of La Bénisson-Dieu, founded in the 12th century. Gothic in style and founded in 1138 under the name of Notre Dame de la Bénédiction de Dieu, the abbey is covered with glazed tiles.

Stage 7: From Saint-Romain-la-Motte to Saint-Alban-les-Eaux: 17,5 km

17,5 on foot Saint-Romain-la-Motte

Next along the route is the small medieval village of Saint-Haon-le-Châtel . Nestled in a verdant setting on the foothills of the Madeleine mountains, this village is an open-air museum! Then, in Renaison, a visit to "Aux Halles," a charming covered market, is a must, where you'll find the best of Roanne's gastronomy. Finally, in the heart of the vineyards, in Saint-Alban-les-Eaux , springs a naturally sparkling water that has been recognized since 1878.

Stage 8: From Saint-Alban-les-Eaux to Bully: 17 km

17 on foot Saint-Alban-les-Eaux

This stage requires hikers to dig deep to climb up to the village of Bully , after traversing very hilly paths. But they are rewarded by discovering the picturesque village of Saint-Jean-Saint-Maurice-sur-Loire and the vineyards of the Côtes Roannaise . The stage ends at the port of Bully , which welcomes pleasure boaters and fishermen.

Stage 9: From Bully to Bussy Albieux: 21 km

21 on foot bully

For this 9th stage, the path continues along the Loire River, offering magnificent views of the Monts du Lyonnais and the Plaine du Forez . It allows hikers to gain some elevation and admire the beauty of the surrounding area. Soon, the stage leads to the last site in the Roannais region: the Priory of Pommiers , a Benedictine priory founded in 825.

The stage ends in Bussy-Albieux, a charming village where walkers will enjoy resting quietly in the shade of the chestnut trees in the town hall square.

Stage 10: From Bussy Albieux to Montverdun: 15 km

15 on foot Bussy Albieux

This stage marks the entry into the Forez region , leading to a gentler landscape towards the plains. The path passes close to a sensitive natural area: the Biterne Reserve . This nature reserve provides a haven for migratory wildlife, primarily birds, traveling between Northern and Southern Europe.

Then another unmissable site in the department stands out: La Batie d'Urfé . A testament to the Renaissance, the castle contains many unusual creations.

Finally, the path offers a glimpse in the distance of a peak rising on the Basalte road: the Montverdun peak . Located on this basalt outcrop, the priory overlooks the plain and offers a 360° panorama.

Stage 11: From Montverdun to Montbrison: 17 km

17 on foot Montdun

Montbrison is not far now. This town, the second stop on the Cluny Way after Charlieu, is considered the historical capital of the Forez region . This stage, between plains and mountains, takes you through the commune of Champdieu, another "village of character in the Loire," notable for its priory and Romanesque church.

Take the time to explore the town of Montbrison , including its Notre-Dame d'Espérance collegiate church . The Cordeliers convent now houses the town hall, but you can also visit its museums or discover its local specialties. The Montbrison market welcomes producers from the Forez region in a friendly atmosphere, especially for tasting the famous Fourme de Montbrison cheese!

Stage 12: From Montbrison to Marols: 22,5 km

22,5 on foot, on foot Montbrison

From Montbrison, your journey to Le Puy-en-Velay is still dotted with beautiful landscapes, forests, and high plateaus. Passing through the village of Lézigneux offers a chance to stop and admire the Vidrieux pond . Then, from the Romanesque chapel of Montsupt , a lovely panorama unfolds before hikers. Next, you'll come across Saint-Jean Soleymieux , a small village where pilgrims used to come to pray in the crypt of the 11th-century church. Finally, a small path leads to another "village of character in the Loire": Marols.

Stage 13 (from the west): From Marols to Usson-en-Forez: 17,2 km

On foot Marols

This 13th stage of the Cluny Way allows walkers to discover beautiful coniferous forests. It also offers magnificent views of Usson-en-Forez . The town is located at the borders of Velay, Forez, and Auvergne . Situated on a mountain plateau, the town enjoys a sunny microclimate. Hikers can take advantage of this to visit the Monts du Forez Ecomuseum, which showcases the traditions and skills of the Haut-Forez region.

Stage 14 (from the west): From Usson-en-Forez to Chomelix: 19,5 km

On foot Usson-en-Forez

This stage, nearly 20 km long, allows hikers to reach the plateau of
Chomelix. Chomelix has long been a crossing point for pilgrims from Saint-Jacques de
Compostela towards Puy-en-Velay coming from the East. 2 shells attest to this Saint-Jacques
which adorn the walls of the church as well as the hospital registers.

Stage 15 (from the west): From Chomelix to Saint-Paulien: 19,7 km

On foot Chomelix

This stage allows walkers to complete a route without difficulty on small roads
and stony paths, to St. Paulien, located at an altitude of 810 meters. This
former capital of Velay is home to historical remains such as the Castle of the
Rochelambert, an 11th century residence carved into a basalt cliff, remains of a
ancient volcano.

Stage 16 (from the west): From Saint-Paulien to Puy-en-Velay: 15,7 km

On foot St. Paulien

From St. Paulien, walkers take the valley which extends up to Polignac, where the Polignac family castle has been located since the 9th century. This stage allows them to cross the countryside of Velay before arriving at crossroads of the paths of Saint-Jacques : Le Puy-en-Velay.

Stage 13 (from the east): From Marols to Leignecq: 21 km

On foot Marols

The Cluny route of the Chemin de Saint-Jacques continues until a final “village of character in the Loire”: Montarcher. Perched at an altitude of 1160 meters, this village offers a splendid view of Velay and Vivarais. 
This stage will seduce you with the remains of its numerous mills and in particular the Vignal mill in the village d'Apinac which is one of the tourist attractions of the area. And finally you come to Leignecq which was built around an old keep from the 11th century.

Stage 14 (from the east): From Leignecq to Retournac: 28,7 km

On foot Leignecq

The Andrable stream will accompany you as you reach the Haute-Loire department . Yes indeed, after the Saône-et-Loire, the Rhône, and then the Loire, the department whose capital is Le Puy-en-Velay awaits you. From the town of Valprivas , the Ance valley and then the Loire gorges meander all the way to Retournac and its unmissable Lace Museum.

Stage 15 (from the east): From Retournac to Vorey: 21 km

On foot Returnnac

After Retournac , head towards the Loire gorges , whose winding roads lead to Le Puy-en-Velay. But first, a bit of history and culture awaits, with a stop at ancient fortresses such as the Château d'Artias , one of the oldest in the Velay region, and the priory of Chamalières-sur-Loire . Your journey continues towards Roche-en-Régnier, where you'll be rewarded with a superb panoramic view from the ruins of its castle.

Stage 16 (from the east): From Vorey to Lavoûte-sur-Loire: 11,5 km

On foot Vorey

The wild Loire and its tumultuous gorges continue their course, passing Vorey before arriving at Saint-Vincent . From there, only about twenty kilometers remain before catching a glimpse of the statue of Notre-Dame de France, perched high on the Corneille rock in Le Puy-en-Velay . This stage allows hikers to reach Lavoûte-sur-Loire , a small village that owes its name to the unique bend formed by the river, and which is home to the "first Loire château": the Château de Lavoûte-Polignac.

Stage 17 (from the east): From Lavoûte-sur-Loire to Puy-en-Velay: 13 km

On foot Lavoute-sur-Loire

Before the final effort, the fortress of Polignac looms on the horizon, you are in the heart of Velay and its emblematic monuments. Further, it is the rock and the Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe chapel which mark the red flame of the very last kilometers. From the foot of the rock and its dizzying height, walkers only have a few meters left before reaching the capital of the roads Saint-Jacques : Le Puy-en-Velay.