The famous path of Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle from Puy-en-Velay – Via Podiensis – GR®65 awaits you! “El Camino” (the path in Spanish) will take you step by step until Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle located in Spain in the Galicia region.
Thousand-year-old itinerary, the pilgrimage to Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle is one of those mythical paths that we dream of taking at least once in our life. And guess what? In France, Le Puy-en-Velay is the historic starting point of the path of Saint-Jacques. There are a thousand and one reasons to put on your sneakers and set off on the trail. So go for a day, a weekend or even further…
walk the Camino de Santiago
To follow “the path” is to be ready to surpass yourself. It's feeling this path, under your feet, this mythical itinerary which inspires within oneself the desire to go ever further. On the path of Saint-Jacques, we learn to know ourselves: our limits, our ambitions, our ruptures, our thoughts. Being alone with oneself, isn't that whatspirit of the path ? Go on an adventure without really knowing what it has in store for us, letting go of the futile and material things of modern life to better refocus on which is essential.
We also get to know others . These are people we would certainly never have met otherwise. These fellow hikers with whom we strike up conversations, the villagers who offer us a drink or a bite to eat. These hosts who welcome us into their homes for an evening by the fire and a hearty breakfast before we set off again.
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Le Puy-en-Velay
CAPITAL OF THE ROADS OF SAINT-JACQUES
Known and recognized for being the point of historic start pilgrims towards Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle on the Via Podiensis, Le Puy-en-Velay today claims to be the crossroads of the Jacquaire routes.
Cluny, Lyon, Geneva : three iconic cities join the Velay region in the heart of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes on these legendary routes. Now, you can start your journey not only from Le Puy-en-Velay to reach the Aubrac plateau, the Aveyron landscapes, or even the Pyrenean slopes… You can also begin your trip further upstream!
GR®65 Path of Saint-Jacques (Via Podiensis)
From Puy-en-Velay to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
The eternal Via Podiensis , meaning "The Way of Le Puy-en-Velay," is the most popular route for pilgrims departing from Le Puy-en-Velay. Many walkers consider the first 10 stages between Le Puy-en-Velay and Conques to be the most beautiful section of the GR® 65. Starting from Le Puy-en-Velay allows you to immerse yourself in its history before traversing the Allier gorges through the Velay mountains. Then, you cross the Gévaudan and part of the Margeride region towards Saugues and the Domaine du Sauvage.
The route from Le Puy-en-Velay reaches Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department, after approximately 755 kilometers of paths. Its renown lies in the beauty of the exceptional landscapes it traverses. These include the wild gorges of the Allier River, the Aubrac plateau, and villages listed among the "Most Beautiful Villages of France."
Beyond these mythical hiking stages and this omnipresent spirituality, 12 monuments on the route are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites , including the Hôtel-Dieu cathedral complex in Puy-en-Velay, the so-called "pilgrims' bridge" in Saint-Chély-d'Aubrac, the cloister of Moissac, and the Saint-Foy abbey church in Conques.
GR®65 Path of Saint-Jacques (Via Gebennensis)
FROM Geneva to Puy-en-Velay
From Switzerland , the route follows the course of the Rhône for quite some time , winding through Haute-Savoie , Dauphiné , and, to a lesser extent, Savoie and Ain . From Yenne, the path crosses into the Isère department for several stages . It then meanders over hills shaped by the Rhône and Isère glaciers, which created wide and beautiful valleys here.
Further on, as the Rhône Valley reveals its final meanders, the landscapes of the Pilat Regional Natural Park come into view. The vineyards and orchards then give way to the plateaus and pastures of the Vivarais.
From then on, juices and forests mark the arrival in Velay before joining the capital of the roads Saint-Jacques from Compostela: Le Puy-en-Velay. And already 15 days separate you from your departure point in Geneva.
GR®765 Path of Saint-Jacques
From CLUNY/Lyon to Puy-en-Velay
The Cluny and Lyon routes of the Chemin de Saint-Jacques are two remarkable routes thanks to their architecture, their heritage and the variety of landscapes they offer.
From Burgundy, the route begins in the unmissable town of Cluny and its great medieval abbey which spread its influence throughout Europe. It then crosses the Beaujolais Mountains , then winds through the vineyards of the Côtes Roannaises before reaching the Monts du Forez.
Joining Le Puy-en-Velay from Lyon is an alternative that allows you to discover the Monts du Lyonnais in nine days of walking in the footsteps of the pilgrims who came from the north and east of Europe and joined the Cluny Way through the Monts du Forez.
The Cluny and Lyon routes of the GR® 765 meet at Saint-Georges-Haute-Ville after a few kilometers. Then, hikers have two options to reach Le Puy-en-Velay, the famous Loire gorges , or via Saint-Paulien , the former capital of Velay.
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PECATA
Departing from Le Puy-en-Velay, on the famous route of Saint-Jacques, Pecata offers travelers and pilgrims a simple and committed way to bring back an authentic souvenir of their visit to Haute-Loire… without weighing down their bag!
PRACTICAL TIPS
When to set out on the path to Saint-Jacques ?
Ideal for making the journey Saint-Jacques is the period from spring to fall. Indeed, there is a season for hiking on the path of Saint-Jacques. Accommodations are generally open from April 1 until 15 October of each year. Winter should therefore be avoided when making the journey Saint-Jacques because it can snow at altitude.
How to prepare your path Saint-Jacques ?
The path of Saint-Jacques rather accessible to everyone. It is GR approved® (Grande Randonnée) by the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre, which means it is well signposted. In order to prepare for the path of Saint-Jacques, it is essential to study the steps according to the abilities of each person. In general, walkers average 20 km per day while roaming.
Is it necessary to book accommodation in advance on the way to Saint-Jacques ?
Everything depends on you ! Booking your stops means planning your stay, reassuring yourself about the organization of your stops and having the assurance of accommodation that meets your expectations. Whereas not booking means embarking on an adventure, following your desires and being able to adapt your stay. Please note, at certain times of the year, Accommodations can quickly become full on the path of Saint-Jacques. Ask the hosts of the use of the path a few months, weeks or days before your departure.
What budget should you plan for on the way to Saint-Jacques ?
For food and accommodation, it takes approximately 40 euros daily expenses per person to make the journey Saint-Jacques. All along the way, the range of accommodation varies (from dormitory to guest room via stopover gite) and the frequency of accommodation is regular, i.e. one accommodation every 4-5 km on the Via Podiensis .
How to organize yourself for the return trip after your trip Saint-Jacques ?
When your arrival on the path of Saint-Jacques, you can call on transport services For transporting people and luggage, services like La Malle Postale, Compostel'bus, Velay Rando services, Transports du Velay, or Rando'lib are available to return you to your starting point or drop you off near an SNCF train station. Remember to book these services a few days in advance.
