Vía Podiensis

The Vía Podiensis, also called Camino de Le Puy, is clearly the most popular of the four French routes to Santiago. This route takes you through the magical south of France to the majestic Pyrenees.

From the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage city of Le Puy-en-Velay with its volcanic rock formations, over the heights of the Aubrac plateau, through the romantic valleys of Rouergue with their medieval villages such as Conques and Saint-Côme-d'Olt, to the southern French region of Gascony with its bastide towns and wine-growing landscapes. Along the way, you will encounter impressive Romanesque architecture, traditional stone huts, green pastures, and authentic pilgrimage sites such as the world-famous Moissac Abbey.

You will experience a unique blend of French hospitality, culinary delights, and a well-developed infrastructure – with excellent trail markings and comfortable accommodations that are on par with Spanish standards.

The entire Vía Podiensis route is an intense pilgrimage that requires time and physical endurance, but that is precisely what makes it so appealing to many pilgrims: it is a profoundly transformative break from everyday life. For pilgrims who would like to immerse themselves in the world of the Caminos for a shorter period of time, the route can be flexibly divided into sections of one week or more, allowing each pilgrim to find their own personal rhythm.

While the Vía Podiensis has long been very popular among the French, it is currently also becoming increasingly well known internationally. It will certainly not be many years before the Vía Podiensis is as legendary as the Caminos in Spain.

Day 1: Arrival - Le Puy-en-Velay
Individual arrival at your accommodation in Le Puy-en-Velay. This UNESCO World Heritage Site captivates visitors with its spectacular location on volcanic rock formations and impressive architecture. The Notre-Dame du Puy Cathedral and the Notre-Dame de France statue are world-famous.

Day 2: Le Puy-en-Velay - Saint-Privat-d'Allier (approx. 23.3 km / approx. 7 hours / moderate)
Your pilgrimage begins with a moderate stage through the Auvergne plateau. Out into the green hinterland, past picturesque villages and rolling hills. You will hike through rural areas with pastures and small fields, passing traditional farms with natural slate roofs. In Saint-Privat-d'Allier, a quiet village on the banks of the Allier, the first day of your pilgrimage comes to an end.

Day 3: Saint-Privat-d'Allier - Sauges (approx. 19.5 km / approx. 6 hours / challenging)
This challenging stage rewards you with magnificent views. The trail follows the wild Allier river valley through narrow gorges and over hilltops. You hike through dense deciduous forests, past impressive rock formations and clear mountain streams. Sauges captivates with its tranquility and unspoiled nature.

Day 4: Sauges - Domaine du Sauvage (approx. 19.3 km / approx. 6 hours / easy)
After yesterday's exertions, this easy stage offers welcome relaxation. The trail runs through lovely landscapes with rolling hills and green meadows. You will pass small hamlets and unspoiled villages. Colorful wildflowers bloom in open fields in spring and summer.

Day 5: Domaine du Sauvage - Aumont-Aubrac (approx. 28.2 km / approx. 8.5 hours / moderate)
A longer stage across the Aubrac plateau awaits you. The trail leads steadily uphill through changing landscapes – from green forests to open highland pastures. During the ascent, you will be rewarded with sweeping views over the hills of Auvergne and Rouergue. The sky seems closer, the air clearer and fresher. Aumont-Aubrac, at an altitude of over 1,000 meters, is known for French hospitality and regional cuisine.

Day 6: Aumont-Aubrac - Nasbinals (approx. 25.8 km / approx. 7.5 hours / moderate)
On the Aubrac plateau, your route is characterized by open, windswept landscapes. You follow wide pastures, passing traditional Aubrac stone huts – the “burons” – which used to house shepherds and cheese makers. In clear weather, the view stretches far into the distance. Nasbinals, a pilgrimage site of spiritual significance, captivates with its Romanesque church and its location on this breathtaking plateau.

Day 7: Nasbinals - Saint-Côme-d'Olt (approx. 32.2 km / approx. 9.5 hours / challenging)
One of the most challenging stages of the Via Podiensis. Leaving the Aubrac plateau, you descend into the green valleys of the Rouergue and cross open highlands, dense forests, picturesque valleys, and idyllic villages. Saint-Côme-d'Olt is a charming medieval village and a jewel of southern French craftsmanship.

Day 8: Saint-Côme-d'Olt - Estaing (approx. 19.3 km / approx. 6 hours / moderate)
After the exertions of yesterday's stage, this moderate stage offers room for recovery. The trail leads through the romantic Lot Valley with beautiful river landscapes and rolling hills. You will hike through typical Rouergue landscapes with characteristic limestone hills and green pastures. Estaing, a historic château village with an imposing castle and medieval bridge, invites you to explore the old town.

Day 9: Estaing - Espeyrac (via Campuac) (approx. 23.2 km / approx. 7 hours / moderate)
A varied stage with mixed landscapes awaits you – partly along the Lot, partly through woods and fields. You will pass several pilgrimage sites and villages, each with its own character. The route via Campuac offers a picturesque detour with authentic views. Espeyrac, a quiet village steeped in pilgrimage culture, welcomes you.

Day 10: Espeyrac (via Campuac) - Conques (approx. 12.1 km / approx. 4 hours / easy)
Conques, your destination for today, is an absolute highlight – a treasure trove of Romanesque architecture, picturesquely situated in a steep valley. The iconic Sainte-Foy Basilica with its famous tympanum sculptures is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The village has a timeless feel with its steep narrow streets, traditional houses, and spiritual atmosphere.

Day 11: Conques - Livinhac-le-Haut (approx. 23.4 km / approx. 7 hours / moderate)
You leave Conques and continue your journey through the beautiful Rouergue region. The trail descends into the Lot Valley and then climbs again, offering changing landscapes and continuous views. You walk through forests and meadows, passing farmhouses and small hamlets from another era. Livinhac-le-Haut captivates with its picturesque location on the riverbank and its proximity to impressive karst landscapes.

Day 12: Livinhac-le-Haut - Figeac (approx. 24.1 km / approx. 7 hours / moderate)
This moderate stage leads into the Célé valley and later to the Lot through fascinating Quercy landscapes. The trail is varied with several ascents and descents. You hike through chestnut forests, past traditional villages and farms. Figeac, a medieval trading town with remarkable Renaissance houses and a lively old town, is famous for its goldsmithing.

Day 13: Figeac - Béduer (approx. 11.7 km / approx. 3.5 hours / easy)
A short and relaxed stage leads into the green Quercy hinterland. The path is easy and invites you to walk meditatively. You will hike through typical Quercy landscapes with orchards, vineyards, and stone houses. Béduer, a small peaceful village, gives you time for rest and reflection.

Day 14: Béduer - Cajarc (approx. 19.1 km / approx. 6 hours / easy)
Once again, the Camino takes you through picturesque forests and fields, past traditional villages. Cajarc captivates with its artistic atmosphere and location in one of the most beautiful river landscapes in southern France. In the evening, enjoy a walk along the riverbank and sample the regional cuisine.

Day 15: Cajarc - Varaire (approx. 27.2 km / approx. 8 hours / easy)
A long but easy stage through the picturesque Lot Valley with its characteristic limestone cliffs and green meadows. The trail often follows the riverbank or pleasant high trails with magnificent views. You hike through forests and meadows, passing villages full of character. The Lot River accompanies you regularly. Varaire, a quiet village in the valley, is perfect for resting after this long day.

Day 21: Moissac - Auvillar (approx. 21.4 km / approx. 6.5 hours / moderate)
You leave the famous abbey and hike through a rural region, past fields, orchards, and traditional Gascony farms. Auvillar, a wonderfully preserved medieval village with a circular layout, is architecturally very charming. The church and old houses tell of the rich past of the village.

Day 22: Auvillar - Miradoux (approx. 17 km / approx. 5 hours / easy)
A short, easy stage through the characterful hilly landscape of Gascony. The air is getting warmer and more southerly. Miradoux, a charming mountain village with a medieval castle, captivates with its beautiful location and traditional architecture.

Day 23: Miradoux - Lectoure (approx. 15.2 km / approx. 4.5 hours / easy)
A short, easy stage to one of the most outstanding towns in Gascony. Lectoure, an impressive medieval town on a hill, is known for its cathedral and the remains of an ancient Roman town. The old town with its arcades and traditional houses is well worth seeing.

Day 24: Lectoure - La Romieu (approx. 22.1 km / approx. 6.5 hours / easy)
Passing through rural Gascony, you will arrive at another architectural gem. La Romieu is a charming town known for its impressive Gothic monastery with an octagonal tower – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The medieval architecture makes this a special place for contemplation.

Day 25: La Romieu - Condom (approx. 9.1 km / approx. 3 hours / easy)
A short stage to an interesting town in Gascony. Condom, a pretty medieval town on the Baïse River, is known for its cathedral and its history as a trading center. The charming old town, good restaurants, and the famous local Armagnac invite you to explore.

Day 31: Miramont-Sensacq – Arzacq-Arraziguet (approx. 16 km / approx. 5 hours / easy)
A pleasant stage through the landscape of southwestern France with typical villages and fields. Arzacq-Arraziguet is a pilgrim village with good infrastructure. The flat, agricultural surroundings invite you to relax.

Day 33: Arthez-de-Bearn – Dessine-moi un chemin (approx. 22.7 km / approx. 7 hours / moderate)
After a rest day, a moderately challenging stage through the first foothills of the Pyrenees follows. The path becomes hilly and the landscape more mountainous. You leave flat landscapes behind and approach the mountains. The vegetation becomes greener and more lush, and views of the Pyrenees become visible. Dessine-moi un chemin is a village full of character in this mountainous region – the perfect starting point for the final stages.

Day 34: Dessine-moi un chemin - Aroue (approx. 28.5 km / approx. 8.5 hours / moderate)
You venture deeper into the impressive mountain world of the Pyrenees. Frequent ascents and descents lead through forests and over hills with magnificent views. The air becomes cooler and fresher, nature wilder and more pristine. Aroue, a picturesque mountain village in the French Pyrenees, is an important resting place for pilgrims.

Day 35: Aroue - Larceveau (approx. 27.6 km / approx. 8 hours / moderate)
Continue through the mountain landscapes of the French Pyrenees. The air is clear and fresh, nature wild and unspoiled. Larceveau, a traditional Basque mountain village, lets you feel the proximity to your destination. From here, it is only one more stage to the legendary Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.