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Highlights
Cycle the second section of the Le Puy Camino on the Way of St James
Ride from Cahors to St. Jean Pied de Port, taking in the regions of Lot et Garonne, Gers, and Basque Country along the way.
Feel a sense of accomplishment as you complete part of the famous Camino de Santiago pilgrim route.
Enjoy visits to spectacular churches and monasteries, castles, and medieval relics along the route.
Stay at comfortable hotels and treat yourself to fine French cuisine at each stop on the route.
Challenge yourself to your own personal pilgrimage on the 9-day self-guided Le Puy Camino: Cahors to St. Jean Pied de Port cycling tour.
This exciting cycling pilgrimage invites cyclists to complete the second section of the Le Puy Camino (Via Podiensis) at their own pace over 9 days. The Le Puy Camino is an ancient pilgrim route of southwest France, starting in Le Puy of the Haute-Loire and extending to the Pyrenees in St. Jean Pied de Port. The Le Puy Camino route is the most famous French section of the legendary Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, which leads thousands of pilgrims across Europe to the sacred site of Santiago de Compostela each year.
Beginning in beautiful Cahors, this pilgrimage unfolds across rural southern France, introducing cyclists to a variety of spectacular scenery, from lush green valleys to breathtaking mountains. Riding from west to east, this covers the gorgeous regions of Lot et Garonne, Gers, and the beautiful Basque country.
Several stops in iconic towns and villages along the way make this a tour not only rich in natural scenery but a tour that also satisfies one’s appetite for cultural adventures. Enjoy overnight stays in Lauzerte, Condom, Saint-Palais and more, and take in the idyllic villages of Auvillar and Navarrenx.
Enjoy comfortable accommodations along the route and ample opportunities to savour the best French food and wine as you cycle from region to region. Satisfy your thirst for adventure on this unique pilgrimage by bike. Book your spot on the Le Puy Camino: Cahors to St. Jean Pied de Port tour!
Challenge yourself to your own personal pilgrimage on the 9-day self-guided Le Puy Camino: Cahors to St. Jean Pied de Port cycling tour.
This exciting cycling pilgrimage invites cyclists to complete the second section of the Le Puy Camino (Via Podiensis) at their own pace over 9 days. The Le Puy Camino is an ancient pilgrim route of southwest France, starting in Le Puy of the Haute-Loire and extending to the Pyrenees in St. Jean Pied de Port. The Le Puy Camino route is the most famous French section of the legendary Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, which leads thousands of pilgrims across Europe to the sacred site of Santiago de Compostela each year.
Beginning in beautiful Cahors, this pilgrimage unfolds across rural southern France, introducing cyclists to a variety of spectacular scenery, from lush green valleys to breathtaking mountains. Riding from west to east, this covers the gorgeous regions of Lot et Garonne, Gers, and the beautiful Basque country.
Several stops in iconic towns and villages along the way make this a tour not only rich in natural scenery but a tour that also satisfies one’s appetite for cultural adventures. Enjoy overnight stays in Lauzerte, Condom, Saint-Palais and more, and take in the idyllic villages of Auvillar and Navarrenx.
Enjoy comfortable accommodations along the route and ample opportunities to savour the best French food and wine as you cycle from region to region. Satisfy your thirst for adventure on this unique pilgrimage by bike. Book your spot on the Le Puy Camino: Cahors to St. Jean Pied de Port tour!
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Cycle the Le Puy Camino: Cahors to St. Jean Pied de Port Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival
Arrive in Cahors where your Le Puy Camino pilgrimage will begin tomorrow. Settle into your accommodations, then set out to explore the historic capital of Quercy and its charming old town center.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Cahors
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Cycle to Lauzerte
Your pilgrimage begins with an exciting first ride to Lauzerte this morning. Leave Cahors via the splendid Valentré Bridge as you pedal towards Labastide-Marnhac. Continue the route to Lascabannes, marking your departure from the Lot department as you enter Tarn et Garonne. Press on to Lauzerte. Today’s destination is masterfully carved into the hillside and overlooking beautiful vineyards and sprawling green valleys.
Settle into your accommodations, then set out to explore the town’s upper valley, where you’ll find tons of medieval architectural wonders and a pretty town square.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Lauzerte
Distance: 39km, 285m ascent, 185m descent
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 3 Cycle to Auvillar
Begin today’s leg with a pleasant downhill ride to Moissac. Soon after you’ll enter the stunning Lomagne (hunchback Gascogne) area, which sits on the border between Tarn et Garonne and the Gers.
Press on to Auvillar, which you’ll find is built on a promontory. Auvillar is known as one of the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (The Most Beautiful Villages in France), making this a magical stop on the route.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Auvillar
Distance: 47km, 245m ascent, 370m descent
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 4 Cycle to Condom
Leave the Tarn et Garonne area this bound for the Gers department. Take in several quaint villages along the way, including Flamarens, Miradoux, Marsolan, each with their own unique style and charm.
Sail through the wide-open countryside of the Gers to the Armagnac town of Condom, where you’ll find tonight’s accommodations.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Condom
Distance: 59km, 555m ascent, 590m descent
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 5 Cycle to sur l’Adour
Bound for the ancient walled town of Montréal-du-Gers this morning, you’ll cycle to Eauze, the capital of Gascogne. Spend some time here on foot, taking in the impressive steeple of St. Luprece and the town’s quaint half-timbered dwellings.
Return to the saddle and ride to sur l’Adour, where you’ll find your accommodations in Aire.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Aire
Distance: 79km, 220m ascent, 240m descent
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 6 Cycle the Béarn Area to Arzacq and Maslacq
Vast plots and cornfields characterize the route today as your cycle through Latrille, and then on to Miramont-Sensacq.
You’ll soon enter the Béarn area, where you’ll press on to Maslacq through chestnut and fern forests as you enter the scenic Pyrénées-Atlantiques.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Maslacq
Distance: 67km, 660m ascent, 655m descent
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 7 Cycle to Saint-Palais via Navarrenx
Starting out in Béarn today, you’ll soon find yourself in beautiful Basque country, at the heart of the Pyrenean. Pedal through the fortified village of Navarrenx before crossing to Gave d’Oloron, taking in the castles of Montgaston and Joantho.
Then, entering the Lower Navarre, you’ll arrive in St Palais, which is today’s destination.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Saint-Palais
Distance: 48km, 380m ascent, 415m descent
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 8 Cycle to Saint Jean Pied Port to Complete the Le Puy Camino
Your final ride unfolds in the spellbinding Basque country, where you’ll spend the day admiring the typical white houses and half-timbered buildings. Make your crossing to Col des Palombières, then enjoy a downhill stretch to Jaxu before continuing further downhill through Bustince-Iriberry and Saint-Jean-le-Vieux.
Soon you’ll arrive at “the gate of Saint-Jacques,” which marks your entrance to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. Arrive in St. Jean Pied de Port, where you can celebrate the completion of this section of the Le Puy Camino pilgrim route. Congratulations!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Saint Jean Pied de Port
Distance: 34km, 385m ascent, 255m descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9 Departure
This morning your tour comes to an end. It’s recommended to book an extra night in St. Jean Pied de Port to allow you enough time to explore the beautiful village before departure.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Departure on April 1st – October 31st, 2024:
- Single room: EUR1385
- Sharing a twin room: EUR1115
- Sharing a double room: EUR1080
- Sharing a triple room: EUR1065
Accommodation on the Cycle the Le Puy Camino: Cahors to St. Jean Pied de Port Tour
This tour is based in hotels and B&Bs. Accommodations are 2 and 3-star and offer basic conveniences that can make your stay more pleasant.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
If you are a solo traveller or you prefer a single room, the required supplements are included in the listed prices.
Night 7
Hôtel de la Paix in Saint-Palais ★★★
Found in a peaceful, residential area of Saint Palais, this gorgeous hotel is located nearby several shops and restaurants, making it an ideal base for exploring Saint Palais and surrounding areas. The hotel offers convenient services like currency exchange and a salon.
What’s Included in the Cycle the Le Puy Camino: Cahors to St. Jean Pied de Port Tour?
Meals
8 breakfasts and 6 dinners are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 8 nights are included. Accommodations before the tour in Cahors and after the tour in St. Jean Pied de Port are not included but can be added as a supplement. You can also extend your stay at any of the locations along the tour by booking ahead.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation for your luggage is included throughout the tour (up to 13kg per person). Airport transfers are not included but can be booked in advance as a supplement.
Also Included
- Digital route notes and maps
- GPS App
- Tourist information on all places of interest
- Tourist city tax
- 24/7 emergency phone support
Not included
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Visas if required
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Guide services
Optional Extras
- Bike rental (hybrid or e-bike)
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Airport transfers
- Optional activities or excursions
- Printed tour materials (in addition to digital)
- How hard is the Cycle the Le Puy Camino: Le Puy to Cahors tour?
- I’ve never been on a pilgrimage! What is different about this type of tour?
- I’ve never been on a self-guided trip! How does it work?
- Do I need a visa to travel to France?
- Are meals included on the Cycle the Le Puy Camino: Cahors to St Jean Pied de Port tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Cahors to start this tour?
- Where does the Cycle the Le Puy Camino: Cahors to St Jean Pied de Port tour end?
- Is this tour guided?
- Can I rent a bike?
- Rear pannier bags
- Front handle bar bags
- Repair kit
- Pump
- Lock
- Can I bring my own bike?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to France?
- Are there any travel restrictions for France?
- When is the best time to travel to France for this tour?
We rate this tour as a 4/5. You should be comfortable riding distances of up to 80km a day for several consecutive days. The routes are a mix of flat and hilly terrain.
A pilgrimage is when someone embarks into an unknown place, sometimes in search of personal transformation or to connect with nature. Some pilgrimages are closely aligned with major religions, and others are more about taking on a new challenge and enjoying a new experience. There are several famous pilgrims’ routes that have been used for thousands of years, often with a sacred site as the destination. Some of the world’s most famous pilgrimages are The Way of St James (France and Spain), Sanctuary of Atotonilco (Mexico), and Mount Kailash (Tibet).
Self-guided travelling is not difficult! For many, it is a preferred type of travel as you are in charge of your own time and pace. You are provided all the information on which direction you need to go daily. However, self-guided travelling requires good navigation skills and those who don’t feel confident in unknown places should consider booking guided tours.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
8 breakfasts and 6 dinners are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover cycling. Get your Travel Insurance.
Fly into Brive Airport (BVE). You can reach Cahors by train, which takes approximately 2 hours. Alternatively, you can book a private transfer to the airport as a supplement in advance or arrange your own private transfer.
The tour ends in St. Jean Pied de Port. The closest airport to the endpoint of this tour is Biarritz Airport (BIQ). You can reach the airport from St Jean Pied de Port by first taking the mountain railway to Bayonne, which takes 1.5 hours. Then from Bayonne, take the airport bus (LINE C) to the Biarritz Airport, which takes approximately 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can book a private transfer to the airport as a supplement in advance or arrange your own private transfer.
No. You will be provided with all necessary information to complete your self-guided tour.
Yes. Either hybrid or e-bikes are available in men’s or women’s sizes. The bike rental also includes:
Yes. If you bring your own bike, it should be a bike suitable for the demands of the tour.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
The best time to travel to the southwest France for this cycling tour is from April through October. If you like hot weather, try July or August. If you prefer cooler weather and lighter crowds, the shoulder seasons are great.
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With 25 years of experience running walking and biking tours in France, S-Cape France has a team full of energy and fresh ideas. Their multinational team can assist in various languages, and their large collection of itineraries means you’ll be able to find your dream adventure in France.
