Le Puy Camino - Cahors to St Jean Pied de Port

Make your own way to Cahors to start your trip. Nestled in a meander of the Lot river, Cahors famous bridge Valentré is an emblem of the city and a well-known pilgrim milestone. Once a major financial and trading centre during the Middle Ages, the city's rich heritage is evident in its fine buildings. It's also know for wine, predominantly its AOC Cahors, an intense red. The region's wine making dates from Ancient Rome, with vines being planted in the area since around 50 BC. It is the largest city on the Le Puy Camino. On Saturday mornings, the market takes place at the foot of the Cathedral of Saint-Etienne, a listed historic monument. We suggest trying pastis, Cahors' famous pastry and apple cake.

Leaving Cahors, the walk starts with a demanding climb, giving you a good view of the city and bridge down to the valley. You'll then continue to the Causses limestone plateau. You will pass Labastide-Marnhac before arriving in the little village of Lascabanes, where you'll find a lovely chapel. Lascabanes had a pilgrims' hospital in the 15th century and the tiny church still offers a pilgrim blessing daily at 6pm. Distance 23km/14.3mi, +414m/1358ft, -355m/1165ft

The trail today leads you into the Tarn and Garonne region, with a few ascents and descents all the way. Walk through farmland and crop fields until you reach the beautiful village of Lauzerte, one of the “most beautiful villages of France”. This hilltop town is visible from miles away. It is in the heart of the AOC Chasselas de Moissac wine region and is also known for its Quercy melon production. Overnight Lauzerte. Distance 25km/15.5mi, +616m/2021ft, -593m/1945ft

Today is a long but quite easy walking day on quiet countryside tracks, crossing woodlands, crop fields and vineyards. 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 an important stop on the road to Santiago de Compostela for pilgrims coming from Geneva. Here you can visit the prestigious Abbey of Saint-Pierre with its UNESCO World Heritage cloister. 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, +469m/1538ft, -611m/2004ft

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. Today's destination 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 22km/13.5mi, +334m/1096ft, -300m/984ft

Today you will leave the Lot department and enter the farmlands of “Le Gers”. The walk takes you to the lovely village of Flamarens, with its castle built in the 13th century. Distance 14km/8.7mi, +364m/1194ft, -275m/902ft

Today's walk takes you first to Miradoux, a former bastide founded in 1253, the oldest in the department. Built on a small promontory, the town has character-filled stone houses, evidence of the area's rich history. Further along the trail is your destination, the lovely town of Lectoure, built on a rocky outcrop high above the hills of Lomagne. This is the Armagnac región! Known as one of the oldest cities in the Gers, Lectoure's foundation dates back to the Gallo-Roman period. With its imposing Cathedral and Chateau, once home to the Counts of Armagnac, the town has a colourful history including 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 gastronomical delights - cheeses, olives, fresh vegetables and other wonderful local produce. Distance 19km/11.9mi, +274m/999ft, -299m/981ft

Leaving Lectoure and the Ger River behind, the trail takes you to Marsolan, where on the terrace of the remains of the old hospital Saint Jacques at the entrance to the village you can take in the impressive view of the Auchie Gascon Valley. Continuing through fields and woods, the trail descends gently to La Romieu, another of the 'most beautiful villages in France'. Here you can visit the 14th century Collegiate Church of St Pierre La Romieu whose towers resemble a castle and whose cloisters are a 'must-see'. It's also called the "village of cats" because of the many sculpted cats you'll see around town, the work of Maurice Serreau. Distance 18.5km/11.5mi, +300m/984ft, -301m/984ft

Leaving La Romieu the expansive views of the open countryside of the Gers are inspiring. It's an ideal walking environment, best before the midday sun sets in. The area represents the transition between the 'haute' Armagnac around Lectoure (also called White Armagnac due to the limestone found throughout the area), the 'bas' Armagnac around Eauze and the Armagnac 'Noir', where thick black oak woods are found and 57% of the wine crops of Armagnac are located. Condom is one of the principal Armagnac towns and is located at a spur of the rivers Gele and Baise. The key attraction is the Gothic styled cathedral of St Peter's, the last built in the Languedoc style. Distance 13km/8.1mi, +217m/712ft, -316m/1036ft

We recommend taking a 15 minute detour to visit the tiny fortified town of Larresingle, which was the fortress of the Bishops of Condom in the Middle Ages and another of the 'most beautiful villages in France', referred to by the locals as the "Carcassonne of Gers". Further along the way you pass the Pont d'Artigues, a Romanesque bridge over the Osse. Once the site of a pilgrim hospital and a church, there are no remains of these buildings today. A little further along you come across the Eglise de Routges, the oldest church in the region, before arriving at Montréal-du-Gers. This interesting bastide town, another of the “most beautiful villages of France”, was one of the first English fortified towns of Gascogne (1289). It has a central square surrounded by arcades, the 13th century Church of Ste Marie and historic houses. Distance 17km/10.5mi, +238m/780ft, -209m/685ft

Most of the walking today is flat and across agricultural landscapes intersected by minor roads. The first 10km take you through vineyards and pretty countryside until you reach the hamlet of Lamothe. From here the trail heads down into the valley before a steady uphill takes you gently into the Place d’Armagnac in Eauze. In the third century AD, the city became the capital of the Roman province of Novempopulania. You will also find an archeology museum in the heart of Eauze, where you can discover the trails of the ancient city of Elusa. Other attractions include the Gothic cathedral, an Andalusian style bullring and numerous historic houses including 'la maison dite de Jeanne d'Albret. Own dinner arrangements. Distance 17km/10.6mi, +198m/650ft, -155m/508ft

Today, you will walk on a fairly flat trail through through the vineyards of Armagnac, walnut groves and open countryside. Along the way is the beautiful town of Manciet, an historic point on the Le Puy Camino. In the Middle Ages, pilgrims coming from Auch would meet those walking the Le Puy route. On the second Sunday in September a village fete is held here. Passing the church of St Jean Baptiste de la Commanderie de Saint Christie de l'Armagnac there are some small descents and ascents before the path leads into Nogaro. Its name is taken from Nogarium which means 'a place planted with walnuts'. The town has a bullring and a collegiate 12th Century Romanesque church. Distance 20km/12.4mi, +269m/882ft, -297m/974ft

Today you will mainly be walking alongside cereal crops and farmland, and passing some of the prettiest villages and hamlets on the entire route. On the last stretch vineyards become rarer and the landscape changes to tree-covered, with maritime pines, oaks and chestnuts. There is quite a bit of road walking but not much traffic, mainly tractors. Barcelonne du Gers and Aire sur l’Adour are neighbouring towns by the river Adour. Barcelonne-du-Gers is known for its AOC Saint-Mont wine and its architectural and historical heritage, which bears witness to a rich past. Aire sur l'Adour has a lower section by the river which is dominated by the St Jean Baptiste cathedral, and a high town or Mas d'Aire, which is dominated by the Eglise de Sainte Quitterie, where a Benedictine monastery once stood. Distance to Barcelonne 25km/15.6mi, +207m/679ft, -267m/875ft

You'll wander through lush green countryside with hamlets and ancient buildings such as medieval chapels and wash-houses (“lavoirs”). The snow-capped Pyrenees come into view as you enter the Pyrenees-Atlantiques department. Pass the magnificent 11th century Church of Miramont Sensacq, formerly dedicated to St James. Overnight Miramont-Sensacq. Distance: 20km/12.5mi, +416m/1364ft, -253m/830ft

Today the trail continues through the beautiful Béarn region. With the Pyrenees to the south, you'll cross rolling hills, pass the town of Arzacq Arraziguet, a bastide town built in the 11th century with two main squares and two “lavoirs, and many villages such as Louvigny. Distance 26km/16mi, +481m/1578ft, -437m/1433ft

Today your walk takes you to Larreule with its Benedictine Monastery and then Uzan, where you can visit the beautiful rural church of Sainte Quitterie and a stone fountain. From Pomps you continue to Arthez-de-Béarn, with its distinctive Basque architecture. Stay tonight in Arthez-de-Béarn. Distance 19km/11.8mi, +230m/755ft, -271m/890ft

Today's stage takes you through woods and past churches and chapels before reaching the small village of Maslacq. Later the trail passes a sanctuary and former monastery, La Sauvelade. Distance: 20.5km/12.8mi, +361m/1184ft, -390m/1280ft

The undulating trail takes you through quiet rural scenes to reach the town of Navarrenx, the first in France to be fortified with Italian style ramparts. Another great day's walk through the last of the Béarnais countyside on this route, crossing small streams and ascending fields and wooded trails. En route you pass a pâté producer (Jean Haget) and the Mongaston Castle, before reaching the small village of Lichos, the birthplace of Saint-Grat, Bishop of Oloron. You have now crossed over into the Basque region of France. Overnight in Aroue-Ithorots-Olhaïby. Please note our usual accommodation has a private shower however the other facilities are shared. Distance 30km/18.6mi, +431m/1414ft, -552m/1811ft Option: if the full distance to Aroue is too long, you can split today and stay overnight in Navarrenx. This must be requested at time of booking and a supplement applies. Distance to Navarrenx: 11km/6.88mi and from Navarrenx to Aroue: 19.50km/12.2mi.

The walk today takes you via the Eglise d'Olhaiby along rural trails to Saint Palais, a cultural town which plays host to colourful festivals and markets. Here the street signs are in the Basque language which is typical of the region. This is also the entry point into the Lower Navarre, formerly the Kingdom of Navarre. There are a number of sights to visit including a museum containing historic pilgrim relics and a statue of St James the pilgrim. Be aware: the usual accommodation is a little off the GR65 (approx 4.5km north, included in today's distance). Note: dinner is not included tonight if your stay is on a Fri, Sat or Sun evening. Distance 26km/16.2mi, +370m/1213ft, -577m/1893ft

During your walk today you will pass the Stelle de Gibraltar, where all the Camino routes from France meet. Continue across rolling countryside before reaching the chapel of Soyarce where you will get amazing views over the Pyrenees. Next you will reach the village of Ostabat-Asme, today a small village but an important stop for pilgrims in the Middle Ages. Dependent on availability, at times we use a hotel in Larceveau, 2km further along the trail. Distance 11km/6.8mi, +380m/1246ft, -397m/1302ft

Your last walking day! The trail leads you through the Basque countryside and along the D933, through the valley and on old paths either side of the road. En route you pass the sights of pilgrims' hospitals and the Croix de Galzetaburia at the crossing of Roman roads to mark the entry of secondary routes onto the Via Podiensis. Passing the villages of Mongelos and Bussanarits you reach Donazaharre with its church of St Pierre. Soon you'll enter the pretty pilgrimage town of St Jean Pied de Port via the Porte Saint-Jacques. At the foothills of the Pyrenees, it is a small border town but always busy with pilgrims, and traditionally an important point on the Camino. The routes from Paris, Vézelay and Le Puy-en-Velay meet at Saint-Jean, the last stop before the mountain crossing into Spain. Distance 22.5km/14mi, +397m/1302ft, -387m/1270ft (or 20km from Larceveau)

Your trip concludes after breakfast. We offer the Camino in Spain too, if you're keen to continue...