 the name Conques means ‘shell’?
The Lot River wraps around the friendly city of Cahors in a soft embrace. Cahors is another highlight on the Le Puy Camino route and it is here you will cross the most impressive bridge you will encounter on the whole way to Santiago: the magnificent Pont Valentré, built in the 14th century as a fortified bridge with six arches and three bridge towers. There is plenty to like about Cahors, apart from its most iconic bridge: the Boulevard Leon Gambetta with its neoclassic buildings in soft pastel colours divides the new part of the city from the old medieval quarter, a maze of little alleys, half-timbered buildings and pretty squares.
7th century Saint Pierre Abbey in the town of Moissac is home to one of the most impressive cloisters along the route, and we highly recommend a visit. Dating back to the 11th century, the cloister, masterly sculpted is a unique piece of Romanesque art. Each of the corners feature one of the apostles, including, of course St James.
USEFUL TRAVEL INFORMATION
The Le Puy Camino from Le Puy en Velay to St Jean Pied de Port is over 700kms long; and once in St Jean you can join the French Way. Only another 800kms to go to reach Santiago!
The route is well marked, as a GR65 trail and also with the yellow scallop shells of St James.
At CaminoWays.com we have the Le Puy Camino divided in 6 sections of approximately a week. The whole route can be completed in just over a month, see here: Le Puy Way. Many choose to do a section or two each year. If you are looking for the most scenic regions, we would recommend sections 1, 2 and 3.
Why go: it is the most popular of the Camino routes in France and you will encounter many pilgrims on the route. Exact figures are hard to come by but it is estimated 10,000 people started their Camino from Le Puy in 2008 (source: Cicerone guides). With an increasing popularity of the Camino in recent years, this number is likely to be much higher today.
When to go: the higher regions such as Aubrac and the Pyrenees will get snow in the winter months (some times as late as April) so we recommend you travel from late Spring to get the best possible conditions.