Le Puy Camino - Aumont to Conques
Le Puy Camino - Aumont to Conques
$1090
Tour Overview
Traverse the centuries of time and the borders of Europe on the medieval pilgrim trail of Compostela. In the 9th century, the tomb of the apostle St James was unearthed in Compostela. The site became the focus of a pilgrim trail beginning in France, and crossing northern Spain to Santiago de Compostela. This journey, also known as the Via Podiensis and the French Way of St James, takes pilgrims from Le Puy en Velay to the Pyrenees at St Jean Pied de Port. The route passes a multitude of churches and monasteries, resembling a travelling museum of Romanesque art.
Six stages of this historic trail are included in our self guided walking program in France. This section takes you from Aumont-Aubrac through to the charming town of Conques. This itinerary can be combined with the Le Puy to Aumont stage beforehand, or continue to Cahors afterwards. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival In Aumont-Aubrac
Location: Aumont-Aubrac
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
Make your own way to Aumont-Aubrac. Set at 1050m, the town is in the heart of Lozère and is an important point on the Le Puy Camino. The old town has preserved houses from the 16th and 17th century with sculpted stone facades. There is a statue here of the “Bête du Gévaudan” (Beast of the Gévaudan), the man-eating wolf-dog that terrorised the Lozère area in the late 1700s and as a werewolf has inspired literature and popular culture since the mid 1800s.
Optional hotel upgrade (with pool) at Aumont available - must be requested at time of booking, supplement applies. ...more ...less
Day 2 : To Nasbinals (7Hrs)
Location: Nasbinals
Accommodation Name: Hotel/Guest House
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
From Aumont-Aubrac in “Terre de Peyre” (land of stone), the Way of St James crosses some beautiful pine forests before joining the Aubrac plateau, a vast expanse of pastures punctuated by “burons” (in the Auvergne region this is a shelter where the cowherd lives and makes cheese during the summer). Here you are in the country of the famous Laguiole knife, an indispensable tool to cut the cheese of the same name. Arrive at your hotel/guest house in Nasbinals.
Distance 26km/16.2mi, +479m/1571ft, -346m/1135ft (highest point 1256m)
Day 3 : To St Chely D’Aubrac (4-5Hrs)
Location: Aubrac
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This stage takes you through the heart of the Aubrac plateau, where the ancestral rite of transhumance is still practiced (the transhumance fair is on the Sunday nearest 25th of May). At lunch time, you can try the regional specialties at a buron or country inn, where local dishes are available such as the “aligot” (mashed potato with cheese and garlic), assorted cooked meats from the mountain or a good crepe omelette. In Aubrac you can see remnants of an ancient “Domerie” (name given to the hospital in Aubrac in medieval times). Overnight hotel in St-Chely d'Aubrac.
Distance 16km/10mi, +224m/735ft, -588m/1929ft (highest point 1366m)
Day 4 : Continue To St Come D'olt Or Espalion (4/5.5Hrs)
Location: Espalion
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We leave the country of the “Boraldes” (name given to the brooks descending from the Aubrac) to reach the Lot valley. Here you are near St-Côme d’Olt, listed among the “most beautiful villages of France”. There are remnants of numerous bridges constructed over the Lot river which made the pilgrims' crossings easier. Walk via St-Come d'Olt to Espalion and your accommodation. Espalion's lovely old stone bridge is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
(subject to availability, overnight may be in Come d'Olt, in which case today is 16km and tomorrow is 18km to Estaing).
Distance 16/9.94mi or 22km/13.67mi, +227m/745ft, -675m/2214ft or +330m/1082ft, -715m/2345ft (highest point 922m)
Day 5 : Follow The Lot River To Estaing (3-4Hrs)
Location: Estaing
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
The walk continues on the Way of St James following the stream of the Lot river to the lovely village of Estaing, with its Gothic bridge and imposing chateau. There is one short, quite steep ascent at around the 4km point. The annual St Fleuret fair has been held in Estaing since the 14th century (on the first Sunday of July). On this occasion, a great procession travels through the village in period costume. Overnight hotel in Estaing.
Distance 12/7.45mi or 18km/11.2mi, +210m/689ft, -255m/837ft or +349m/1145ft, -406m/1332ft (highest point 490m)
Day 6 : Continue To Golinhac (3.5Hrs)
Location: Golinhac
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today is a straightforward walk, the last stage in the Lot valley. An ascent (approx 330m) is completed early on so you can enjoy the views across the hills as you walk along the plateau to Golinhac. Golinhac is remarkable for its church., which preserves the Roman foundations of a Benedictine priory, once dependent on Conques abbey. At the southern entrance of the village of Golinhac, there is a stony cross with a small sculpted pilgrim. In Espeyrac in 960, according to the tale, a pilgrim who became blind after a mugging, recovered sight by making an invocation to the patron saint of Conques. Overnight in Golinhac.
If the usual hotel is fully booked, you'll stay at alternative accommodation where dinner is not included.
Distance 14km/8.8mi, +512m/1680ft, -183m/600ft (highest point approx 660m)
Day 7 : Finish Walking At Conques (6Hrs)
Location: Conques
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
The walk to Conques is very often one of the favourite stages for pilgrims as the view over the village is breathtaking if you come from the east. While descending into the deep valley of the Ouche, you will arrive near the Dourdou river (which flows into the Lot river, to the north) and discover this village with pointed roofs over which the towers of the Romanesque Abbey-Chruch Sainte Foy dominate. You can also admire the village's portal, a real treasure from Roman times. Relax in one of the many bars to experience the atmosphere of this lovely town.
Distance 21km/13mi, +398m/1305ft, -749m/2457ft (highest point 677m)
Day 8 : Trip Concludes, Or Continue To Cahors
Location: Cahors
Meals Included: Breakfast
Trip concludes after breakfast.
Note: this itinerary can easily be combined with The Way of St James - Le Puy to Aumont beforehand, or you can continue to Cahors. Ask our staff for details.
What's Included
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Accommodation
7 nights guesthouses or hotel -
7 breakfasts, 7 dinners: Breakfasts are usually continental inclusive of breads, cheese, ham, tea, coffee & juices. Dinner will consist of 3 courses, usually starting with a salad, followed by a chicken, red meat, fish or pasta dish & finishing with a des
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7 nights in 2-3 star hotels and 'Chambres d'hôtes' (B&Bs) on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities. An optional hotel upgrade (with pool) at Aumont available - supplement applies, request at time of booking
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Digital information pack including smartphone app with maps and roadbook
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Luggage transfer - strictly 1 bag of 13kg per person. Excess charges per bag apply
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Visitor tax
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Emergency hotline
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Travel to Aumont-Aubrac and from Conques
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Meals not listed as included, drinks
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Travel insurance – mandatory
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Guide – this is a self-guided walking holiday
What's Not Included
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Drinks and lunches daily
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Entrance fees
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Tour guide – this is a self guided walking trip
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Transfers
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Travel insurance - mandatory
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Excess baggage - arrangements can be made to carry baggage in excess of the 1 bag of 13kg limit. Please do not tie smaller bags onto your main luggage as they will be treated as extra bags. Excess baggage which has not been pre organised will be refused.
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Travel insurance
Accommodation
7 nights hotel and B&Bs
During the trip you will be accommodated in 2-3 star hotels and Chambres d'hôtes (B&Bs) on a twin share basis. The mix of accommodations is one of the great attractions of the trip, with the Chambres d'hôtes offering home style cuisine and house wine, and the gastronomy in the hotels ranging from good to excellent.
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Grading
Daily walks are between 12 to 26km on well marked trails over diverse terrain – from relatively flat to mountainous. This is a well worn path where route finding is straight forward (refer below for further details on self guided walking). The main areas to concentrate on route finding are arriving and leaving towns. The accent is on keeping a steady pace to take in all of the attractions, with time to stop and take photos. You will need a good level of fitness and walking endurance to participate fully in this holiday. ...more ...less
What You Carry
As the walks are fully supported you only need to carry a daypack with your daily requirements including wet weather gear, water bottle, lunch supplies, mobile phone and sun protection etc.
Mode of Transport
Travel to Aumont-Aubrac and from Conques is included. Transfers by taxi or public transport if you need to skip a stage are also available. Luggage transfer is provided with a maximum of 13kg per piece, and a supplement applies for excess baggage.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodations can I expect during the tour?
During the trip, you will be accommodated in 2-3 star hotels, Chambres d'hôtes (B&Bs), and gîtes (guesthouses), always on a twin share basis. Some of the gîtes may have shared bathrooms, and you will need to bring your own soap. The eclectic mix of accommodations is one of the great attractions of the trip, with the Chambres d'hôtes offering home-style cuisine and house wine, and the gastronomy in the hotels ranging from good to excellent. It is possible to upgrade accommodation to comfort plus hotels and Chambres d'hôtes, but this must be requested at the time of booking. ...more ...less
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What meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes 7 breakfasts and 7 dinners. Breakfasts are usually continental, inclusive of breads, cheese, ham, tea, coffee, and juices. Dinner will consist of 3 courses, usually starting with a salad, followed by a chicken, red meat, fish, or pasta dish, and finishing with a dessert. ...more ...less
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Is luggage transfer provided during the tour?
Yes, luggage transfer is provided for one piece of luggage with a maximum weight of 13kg. A supplement applies for excess baggage.
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Is this a guided tour?
No, this is a self-guided walking holiday. A digital information pack, including a smartphone app with maps and a roadbook, is provided to help you navigate the route.
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What should I carry during the walks?
As the walks are fully supported, you only need to carry a daypack with your daily requirements, including wet weather gear, a water bottle, lunch supplies, a mobile phone, and sun protection.
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What is the difficulty level of the walks?
Daily walks are between 12 to 26km on well-marked trails over diverse terrain, ranging from relatively flat to mountainous. This is a well-worn path where route finding is straightforward, especially when arriving and leaving towns. You will need a good level of fitness and walking endurance to participate fully in this holiday.
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Are there any special events or fairs along the route?
Yes, there are several special events and fairs along the route. For example, the transhumance fair is held on the Sunday nearest to the 25th of May in the Aubrac plateau. Additionally, the annual St Fleuret fair has been held in Estaing since the 14th century on the first Sunday of July, featuring a great procession through the village in period costume.
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Can I combine this itinerary with other sections of The Way of St James?
Yes, this itinerary can easily be combined with The Way of St James - Le Puy to Aumont beforehand, or you can continue to Cahors. You can ask the staff for details.
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How fit do I have to be?
Our adventures are first and foremost holidays and can be undertaken by anyone in a reasonable state of health and fitness - however, please carefully read our Terms & Conditions when booking and view the trip grading. We rank our trips according to our honest Trip Grading System. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with our grading system by reading our detailed trip notes (which you can order through this site) and to speak with us about the physical requirements of your chosen trip.
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What happens if something goes wrong?
On our guided tours, you travel in small groups with a local multi-lingual guide whose knowledge of the terrain, flora, fauna and history of the region is exemplary. Our self guided tours give you the freedom to explore at your own pace - but they're not unsupported. We provide detailed route notes and maps and our local partners are on hand throughout the day in the unlikely event that something goes wrong. All we request is that you select a program that matches your level of fitness to ensure that you have a comfortable experience.
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I'm travelling solo on a self-guided trip. Do I pay the single supplement or the single traveller surcharge?
Most of our self guided trips are priced based on twinshare. If you are travelling solo the single traveller surcharge will apply. The single supplement would apply if you were travelling in a party with others and you had chosen to book a single room. You would never pay a single traveller surcharge and a single supplement.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
UTracks allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform utracks, 70 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
UTracks requires a minimum deposit of 250 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of utracks charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
Le Puy Camino - Aumont to Conques
8 Days Starting in Aumont-Aubrac, France and ending in Conques, France
Visiting: Aumont-Aubrac, Nasbinals, Aubrac, Espalion, Estaing, Golinhac, Conques, Cahors
Tour operator:
Tour code:
CT4
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided