Arrival in Aumont-Aubrac
Own arrival into Aumont-Aubrac. Set at 1043m the town is in heart of
Lozère and an important point on the Compostela Trail.
To Nasbinals (26.5km / 7 to 8 hrs)
From Aumont-Aubrac in "Terre de Peyre" (land of Peyre which means
land of stone), the Way of Saint 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 the cheese during the summer grazing
on mountain pastures). Here you are in the country of the famous
Laguiole knife, an indispensable tool to cut the cheese of the same
name. Arrive hotel/ guest house.
To Chely d'Aubrac (17km / 4 to 5 hrs)
This stage takes you through the heart of the Aubrac plateau where
the ancestral rite of transhumance is still long-lived (transhumance fair
is usually around the 25th of May). At lunch time, try the regional
specialties at a buron or country inn where local dishes are available
such as the "aligot" (cheese and potatoes), 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 the medieval times). Overnight hotel.
To Espalion (22km / 5 to 6 hrs)
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". It's the ancient name given to the Lot which gave its name to
the Olt country. From the past, the Olt country kept the remnants of
numerous bridges constructed over the Lot river to make the pilgrim's
crossing easier. Overnight hotel.
To Estaing (11km / 3 to 4 hrs)
The walk continues on the Way of Saint James following the stream of
the Lot river to the lovely village of Estaing which has carried on the St
Fleuret fair tradition since the 14th century, This occurs on the first
Sunday of July. On this occasion, a great procession travels through
the village and some famous local historical persons dress up as the
pilgrims of Santiago. Overnight hotel.
To Espeyrac (24.5km / 6-7 hrs)
We leave the Lot valley at the village of Golinhac, remarkable for its
church. The church preserves the roman foundations of a Benedictine
priory, which was dependent on Conques abbey. At the entrance of the
village of Golinhac, there is a stony cross with a small sculpted pilgrim
erected on it. 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 hotel
Finish walk at Conques (12.5km / 3-4 hrs)
Conques is very often one of the favourite stages for the pilgrims. The
view over this village is breathtaking if you come from the east. While
going down 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
the village and its pointed roofs from which the three towers of Sainte
Foy Basilica dominate. You can also admire the villages portal, a real
treasure from the roman times.
Note
this itinerary can easily be combined with the Compostela Trail - Le Puy to Aumont-Aubrac. Ask our staff for
details.
- 6 breakfasts, 6 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 either a chicken, red meat, fish or pasta dish & finishing with a dessert of fruit or cakes.
- 6 nights in guesthouse or hotel, generally with private facilities
- 1 walking guide, 1 map holder, 1 detailed day-by-day description of the itinerary for each room booked
- Visitor tax
- Organisation and booking fees
- Baggage transportation (max 15kgs per person)
Daily from 1 April to 10 November
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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 apostel 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 'Way of St James ' winds its way across borders, following in the footsteps of thousands of medieval pilgrims through the beautiful Sierras of Navarre and Aragon. The route passes a multitude of churches and monasteries,resembling a travelling museum of Romanesque art.