Le Puy Camino - Cahors to Lectoure

Le Puy Camino - Cahors to Lectoure

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8 Days From

$1190

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Tour Overview

Embark on a captivating journey along "The Way of St James" from Cahors to Lectoure, traversing the picturesque landscapes of France. This self-guided walking holiday invites you to explore historic villages, charming chapels, and remarkable towns such as Cahors, Montcuq, Moissac, Saint-Antoine, and Lectoure. Enjoy the camaraderie of fellow hikers and pilgrims as you walk through lush forests, vibrant orchards, and medieval towns. Accommodations include a delightful mix of 2-3 star hotels, Chambres d’hôtes, and gîtes, offering home-style cuisine and excellent gastronomy. With luggage transfers and a digital information pack, your adventure is both comfortable and enriching. ...more ...less

Highlights

  • Discover traces of history in the villages

  • Explore a multitude of small chapels and churches in isolated locations

  • Visit the remarkable towns of Cahors, Montcuq, Moissac, Saint-Antoine, and Lectoure

  • Enjoy the camaraderie of fellow hikers and pilgrims

  • Take time to visit the famous Valentré Bridge in Cahors, classified as World Heritage by UNESCO

  • Walk through the Quercy Blanc and enjoy the rich flora, including many orchids

  • Visit the Abbey of Saint-Pierre in Moissac, with its perfectly preserved Romanesque cloister

  • Explore the medieval circular market in Auvillar, one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France"

Itinerary

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Day 1 : Arrive Cahors

Location: Cahors

Accommodation Name: hotel

The town of Cahors is nestled in a U-shaped bend of the Lot River. On arrival into the town take time to visit the famous bridge Valentré, an emblem of the city, classified as World Heritage by UNESCO and a well-known pilgrim milestone.

Day 2 : Walk To Lascabanes (6.5Hrs)

Location: Cahors

Accommodation Name: guesthouse

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

As you depart from Cahors there is a final view of its famous Valentré Bridge. From the Magne Cross there is a beautiful view of the city of Cahors. The trail then continues through the Quercy Blanc before you arrive into the village of Lascabanes.
Distance 22km/13.7mi, +453m/1486ft, -392m/1286ft

Day 3 : Continue Pilgrimage To Lauzerte (6Hrs)

Location: Lauzerte

Accommodation Name: guesthouse

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

The trail today leads you into the Tarn and Garonne region. In spring you can enjoy the rich flora, particularly with the presence of many orchids. Later you reach the medieval town of Lauzerte, situated above the valleys and hills of the area known as the Quercy Blanc and founded in the 12th Century by the Count of Toulouse. It is one of only 155 villages in France listed as one of the 'Most Beautiful Villages of France'. Overnight Lauzerte.
Distance 25km/15.5mi, +582m/1909ft, -543m/1781ft

Day 4 : Walk To Moissac (7Hrs)

Location: Moissac

Accommodation Name: guesthouse

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning we pass by the village of Durfort, one of few in the region not to have a church. The vegetation after Durfort is lush with forests. Near the Tarn valley, orchards (apples, plums, pears, peaches, cherries, kiwis and melons) replace the vineyards. Moissac was formerly a major stop on the road to Santiago de Compostela. Here you can visit the Abbey of Saint-Pierre with its perfectly preserved Romanesque cloister, World Heritage listed by UNESCO. Also take a walk along the pont Canal de Cacor, a 356m canal bridge which allows the Garonne lateral canal to cross the Tarn river.
Distance 28km/17.4mi, +552m/1811ft, -694m/2277ft

Day 5 : To Auvillar With Its Interesting Medieval Circular Market (6Hrs)

Location: Auvillar

Accommodation Name: guesthouse

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

On leaving Moissac, pass by its abbey and continue along the Tarn before returning to the Garonne and its lateral canal. You soon enter the Lomagne or "hunchback Gascogne", an area of natural beauty. Straddling the Tarn et Garonne and the Gers, this former dependency of the Duchy of Gascony is a land of white garlic, interesting houses and churches. The destination today is the village of Auvillar, built on a promontory and classified as another of the "Most beautiful villages in France". With its circular market built in 1824, its clock tower and old stone houses, there is much to see around the town.
Distance 21km/13mi, +377m/1237ft, -340m/1115ft

Day 6 : To Flamarens (5Hrs)

Location: Flamarens

Accommodation Name: guesthouse

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

The walk today takes you through the Gers Lomagne commune to the small town of Flamarens.
Distance 14km/8.7mi, +398m/1305ft, -310m/1017ft

Day 7 : Continue To Lectoure (5-6Hrs)

Location: Lectoure

Meals Included: Breakfast

The final stage of the walk takes you to the lovely town of Lectoure, built on a rocky outcrop high above the hills of Lomagne. With its imposing Cathedral and Chateau, once home to the Counts of Armagnac, the town has a colourful history such as the siege of Louis XI in 1473. If you are here on a Friday, there is a fabulous market in the morning that showcases the region's gastronomic delights.

Day 8 : Trip Concludes

Location: Lectoure

Meals Included: Breakfast

Trip concludes after breakfast, or you can continue along the trail to Aire sur l'Adour / Barcelonne du Gers. Additional nights are also possible, ask our office for details.

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    6 nights guesthouses or hotels

  • 7 breakfasts, 5 dinners (dinner not in Cahors or Lectoure): 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 o

  • 7 nights in guesthouses or simple hotels on a twin share basis, generally with ensuite facilities. On occasion facilities will be shared with one or two other rooms. 2024: Option to upgrade to comfort plus accommodation - supplement applies.

  • 2024 price lock bookings: 6 nights in guesthouses or simple hotels, 6 breakfasts, 5 dinners (no dinner in Cahors)

  • Digital information pack including smartphone app with maps and roadbook

  • Luggage transfer - strictly 1 bag of 13kg per person. Excess charges per bag apply

  • Visitor tax

  • Emergency hotline

  • Travel to Cahors and from Lectoure

  • Meals not listed as included, drinks

  • Travel insurance - mandatory

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What's Not Included

  • Drinks, lunches and 1 dinner

  • Tour guide - this is a self guided trip

  • Entrance fees

  • Transfers

  • 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.

Accommodation

6 nights guesthouses or hotels. 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 - this must be requested at the time of booking. ...more ...less

What You Carry

As your main luggage is transferred to the next hotel / guesthouse, you are only required to carry a daypack (30L) with your daily requirements (wet weather gear, water, snacks, camera etc.).

Grading

Daily walks are between 14 to 28km on well marked trails over diverse terrain – from relatively flat to mountainous. There are some reasonable hills. 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

Mode of Transport

Travel to and from Cahors / Lectoure 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 1 piece weighing up to 13kg.

Check out our Q&As

  • What type of accommodation is provided 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 accommodation offers a mix of home-style cuisine and house wine, with gastronomy ranging from good to excellent. It is possible to upgrade to comfort plus hotels and Chambres d’hôtes, but this must be requested at the time of booking. ...more ...less

  • What meals are included in the tour?

    The tour includes 6 breakfasts and 5 dinners (no dinner in Cahors). 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. ...more ...less

  • Is luggage transfer provided during the tour?

    Yes, luggage transfer is provided. You are allowed one piece of luggage with a maximum weight of 13kg. A supplement applies for excess luggage.

  • 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 assist you.

  • What should I carry during the walks?

    As your main luggage is transferred to the next hotel or guesthouse, you are only required to carry a daypack (30L) with your daily requirements such as wet weather gear, water, snacks, and a camera.

  • Are there any additional costs I should be aware of?

    Yes, additional costs include travel to and from Cahors/Lectoure, meals not listed as included, drinks, travel insurance (mandatory), entrance fees not listed as included, transfers not listed as included, transfers by taxi or public transport if you need to skip a stage, excess luggage, and items of a personal nature. A supplement will also apply if you are traveling solo or book a single room.

  • What is the difficulty level of the walks?

    The walks are fully supported, and you only need to carry a daypack with your daily requirements. The grading information suggests that the walks are manageable with proper preparation.

  • What are some of the highlights of the tour?

    Some highlights include discovering traces of history in the villages, exploring small chapels and churches in isolated locations, visiting the remarkable towns of Cahors, Montcuq, Moissac, Saint-Antoine, and Lectoure, and enjoying the camaraderie of fellow hikers and pilgrims.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

E. Thomas(Hamilton, New Zealand)  

Le Puy Camino - Cahors to Lectoure

15 Jun 2023

Chemin St Jacques, Moissac to St Jean Pied de Port: after a largely Covid-induced 4 year break, we completed our 2019 walk (from Le Puy en Velay to Moissac) without incident (apart from some minor aches and a niggling shin splint). The accommodation and food were fine; we had our favourites but all were good. We didn't get lost, though we didn't in the end use the Guibo app; I prefer the IGN GR65 maps and Dave Whitson's new Cicerone Via Podiensis guidebook is excellent! Natalie and Julia in the Auckland office were brilliant when we were organising the trip. The only letdown is that it was all over too soon; wish I was still there! ...more ...less

B. Gartside(West End, Australia)  

Le Puy Camino - Cahors to Lectoure

2 Jun 2024

We are in our seventies, so we found the walking more demanding than in earlier years, with the daily distances seeming longer. The accommodation was very good.

K. Quinn(West End, Australia)  

Le Puy Camino - Cahors to Lectoure

7 May 2024

Everything well organised. Beautiful countryside and very interesting towns. Some distances per day challenging especially if the weather is unfavourable.

K. Quinn(West End, Australia)  

Le Puy Camino - Cahors to Lectoure

7 May 2024

Well organised. Beautiful countryside and interesting towns. Some daily distances too long, especially if the weather is unfavourable.

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Book with Confidence

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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 - Cahors to Lectoure

8 Days Starting in Cahors, France and ending in Lectoure, France

Visiting: Cahors, Lauzerte, Moissac, Auvillar, Flamarens, Lectoure

Tour operator:

UTracks

Tour code:

FC4

Group Type:

Independent

Guide Type:

Self Guided

Physical rating:

moderate

Tour operated in:

English

Activities:

Sightseeing

From: $1190 (USD)

NB: Prices correct on 22-Feb-2025 but subject to change.