The Puy en Velay Way links Le Puy en Velay to St. Jean Pied de Port, covering 750 kms. From the Haute-Loire to the Basque Country, the via Podiensis leads you through the granite country of Margeride, the Aubrac plateau in the Aveyron with its wide horizons, the Lot valley deep in verdant countryside, and the limestone plateau of Quercy. Beyond Lauzerte, the land is rich : you cross the Garonne a short way past Moissac. The houses are built of brick and crops cover the rolling landscape. The path reaches the Pyrenean foothills via the agricultural slopes of the Basque country.
Along this Way, you'll find exceptional examples of heritage : the Cathedral of Le Puy, Conques Abbey church, the Valentré Bridge in Cahors, Moissac Abbey, La Romieu collegiate church, the church of Aire sur l'Adour and many little chapels or "most beautiful villages in France", which make it so photogenic, and create that feeling of eternally following in the footsteps of those who have gone before…
This itinerary was set up from 1970 onwards. It then became the oldest "St. James Way" open to walkers in France. The Le Puy route is now the most-used itinerary, and the one best provided with accommodation.
