The pilgrimage on these footpaths Saint James of Compostela was born in the year 800, during the discovery of the apostle of Saint James, brother of Saint John the Evangelist and great martyr of Christendom. According to writings dating from the twelfth century, St. James left the Middle East with the mission to preach the Gospel in the Iberian Peninsula. Back in Palestine, Saint James would have been killed and thrown into the sea. The body would then have stranded miraculously in Spain, on the Galician shore.
For centuries, this mythical way has been used by pilgrims and walkers. Following these tracks, you will dive into history and visit many different places, you will discover the variety of landscapes, old medival villages and good food!
This village has always been an essential step on the way of Santiago. Originally, this medieval city was mostly walked by pilgrims from the East by the quiet paths before approaching the dark and isolated lands of the Aubrac region.
Today you are in the heart of Aubrac, discover the landscape of the region, with its famous cattle pastures alternating sleepy villages and farms, before arriving at Nasbinals and its church from the 14th century. Here, numerous hiking trails, endless grazing which have often maintain their stone rim, which – back then – allowed the rotation of the pasturelands.
During this stage, you will go by the Aubrac formerly described as ”a place of horror and vast solitude”, and where the winter is among the most rigorous with its 1300 m of height. But the landscapes of an unbelievable beauty will present themselves to you. At lunch time, you can try the regional specialties at a buron or country inn, where local dishes are available such as the “aligot” (mashed potato with cheese and garlic), assorted cooked meats from the mountain.
In the land of Olt, at the foot of the plateau of Aubrac, you will walk along the river Lot which possesses remarkable gorges and meanders. Here, a soft climate awaits for you, as evidence, the vineyard plantations. Saint-Côme-d’Olt and its medieval village center is listed among the most beautiful villages of France.
The trip continues and follow the stream of the Lot river to the lovely place of Estaing, a very picturesque medieval village with its old bridge, where stands an impressive castle.
Today, at the village of Golinhac you will leave the Lot Valley. Arrival in Golinhac, remarkable for its church, there is a stony cross with a small sculpted pilgrim erected on it.
A weighty stage but with a spectacular arrival! Conques, of which the abbey-church and the pilgrims’ bridge are listed UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. The abbey of Sainte-Foyde-Conques possesses the richest treasure of Middle-Age currently retained, with, notably, a golden reliquary statue from the 9th century…
Our services end after breakfast, unless you have decided to book any extra services.