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Highlights
Spend 7 days walking the Le Puy Camino in southern France
Revel in the natural beauty of the Lot and Le Gers departments as you walk the Le Puy Camino on a personal pilgrimage.
Enjoy scenic routes along the idyllic riverbanks of the Lot and Garonne rivers.
Visit spellbinding villages along the route, like Moissac and Auvillar, where authentic French culture is on full display.
Explore former bastide towns, enchanting centuries-old castles, and fascinating historical sites.
Embark on a 7-day self-guided pilgrimage on southern France’s Le Puy Camino, walking from Cahors to Lectoure at your own pace.
Enjoy the convenience of a tried, tested, and true route as you join the ranks of thousands who walk a section of the Camino de Santiago each year. The Le Puy Camino, also known as the Via Podiensis, is the most popular French section of the Camino, and in its entirety, spans Le Puy of the Haute-Loire to the Pyrenees in St. Jean Pied de Port. This spectacular section of the Le Puy Camino invites you to explore both the Lot and Le Gers departments in the beautiful French region of Occitanie.
Setting out from Cahors, where you’ll take in several impressive medieval relics, you’ll set out on foot, traversing the spellbinding Lot Valley, later entering the department of Le Gers. With much of the scenic route flanked by limestone cliffs and lush valleys, each day of the tour unfolds in a natural oasis. Walking on the Le Puy Camino is not merely about getting from point A to point B, but is instead about enjoying each unique leg of the journey from start to finish.
Enjoy authentic French hospitality and delightful cuisine as you visit and stay overnight in Lascabanes, Lauzerte, Moissac and more. On day 5, you’ll arrive in Auvillar, one of the prized Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (France’s most beautiful Villages), where you’ll encounter a magical walled village, complete with a well-preserved ancient town center.
Challenge yourself to a different kind of trip, embark on your very own pilgrimage on the Le Puy Camino. Book your spot today!
Embark on a 7-day self-guided pilgrimage on southern France’s Le Puy Camino, walking from Cahors to Lectoure at your own pace.
Enjoy the convenience of a tried, tested, and true route as you join the ranks of thousands who walk a section of the Camino de Santiago each year. The Le Puy Camino, also known as the Via Podiensis, is the most popular French section of the Camino, and in its entirety, spans Le Puy of the Haute-Loire to the Pyrenees in St. Jean Pied de Port. This spectacular section of the Le Puy Camino invites you to explore both the Lot and Le Gers departments in the beautiful French region of Occitanie.
Setting out from Cahors, where you’ll take in several impressive medieval relics, you’ll set out on foot, traversing the spellbinding Lot Valley, later entering the department of Le Gers. With much of the scenic route flanked by limestone cliffs and lush valleys, each day of the tour unfolds in a natural oasis. Walking on the Le Puy Camino is not merely about getting from point A to point B, but is instead about enjoying each unique leg of the journey from start to finish.
Enjoy authentic French hospitality and delightful cuisine as you visit and stay overnight in Lascabanes, Lauzerte, Moissac and more. On day 5, you’ll arrive in Auvillar, one of the prized Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (France’s most beautiful Villages), where you’ll encounter a magical walled village, complete with a well-preserved ancient town center.
Challenge yourself to a different kind of trip, embark on your very own pilgrimage on the Le Puy Camino. Book your spot today!
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Walk the Le Puy Camino: Cahors to Lectoure Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival
Your walking pilgrimage on the Le Puy Camino begins in the medieval walled town of Cahors, a lovely town encased in the staggering slopes of the Cévennes’ cirque. Set in the dazzling Lot Valley, Cahors is a town synonymous with art and history, making it an optimal place to begin your walking tour!
Spend some time exploring this well-preserved medieval town, making sure to take in its plethora of enchanting historical sites, like the 14th-century Valentré Bridge and the impressive Saint-Etienne Cathedral. Then, settle into your accommodations for a good night’s rest, as your first day of walking is on the horizon.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Cahors
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Valley Views to Lascabanes
5 exciting days of walking lie ahead on the Le Puy Camino! This morning following a hearty breakfast, you’ll set out on the first section, walking from Cahors to Lascabanes. You’ll dive head-first into the adventure with a challenging climb, which will grant you mesmerizing views over the valley from where you’ll take in Cahors from above. Continue the route to the Causses limestone plateau, taking in the charming small villages of Labastide-Marnhac as you walk to Lascabanes.
Lascabanes was a vital stop on the ancient route of Le Puy during medieval times, as it was the site of a pilgrim’s hospital in the 15th century. The former hospital is now a small church, which offers a pilgrim blessing each day at 6 PM. Settle into this lovely little town and soak in the historical ambience.
Overnight Location: B&B in Lascabanes
Distance: 23km
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 3 Gentle Hills to Lauzerte
Rise and shine ready to seize your second day of walking on the Le Puy Camino. Set out this morning following breakfast, enjoying a series of gentle hills through pastoral farmland and crop fields, which pave the way to Lauzerte.
Beautiful Lauzerte, known for its production of the Melons du Quercy (a delightful orange-flesh melon), is set between breathtaking limestone cliffs and lush valleys. The soil of Lauzerte abounds with life, and you’ll likely spot everything from lavender to grapes in the picturesque countryside here.
Overnight Location: B&B in Lauzerte
Distance: 23km
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 4 Leisurely Walk to Moissac
Today you’ll likely find to be the easiest day of walking on the route. Enjoy quiet country roads through charming woodlands, farmland, and vineyards all the way to Moissac.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Moissac
Distance: 25km
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 5 Follow the Garonne River to Auvillar
Set out this morning ready to take in a scenic stretch of the journey as you trace the peaceful Garonne River, walking towards the Malause Canal. You’ll enjoy superb views of the valley on the route, particularly from the hamlet of Boudou. A final ascent will lead you to Auvillar, named one of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (France’s Most Beautiful Villages). Here you’ll find a magical walled village with an impressive old town center, complete with an ancient gateway and several other historical sites.
After settling into your accommodations here, set out on a stroll to admire the town’s 17th-century clocktower or the main square, where you can take in the beautiful ancient timber-framed arcade houses.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Auvillar
Distance: 21km
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 6 From Lot to Le Gers
Today marks your departure from the Lot Department as you enter into Le Gers. Enjoy a pleasant walk today through several lovely villages, like Flamarens, where you’ll be swept up in a fairy tale by its 13th-century castle.
Continue the route to Miradoux, another former bastide that dates to 1253, making it the oldest village in Le Gers.
Overnight Location: B&B in Miradoux
Distance: 17km
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 7 Final Walk to Lectoure
Your final day of walking will have you enveloped in the green oasis of the French countryside as you complete the final section of your pilgrimage to Lectoure. Once you reach Lectoure, your pilgrim journey on the Le Puy Camino comes to an end. However, the adventure doesn’t end here! Set out to explore mesmerizing Lectoure if your departure time allows.
Lectoure is another town with deep roots in art and history and is also one of the Gers’ oldest cities. Its origins date back to the Gallo-Roman period, making it a fascinating place of discovery. Set out to explore the town and be sure to take in its ancient ramparts, towers, churches, and the Castle of the Comtes d’Armagnac built in the mid 14th-century. This marks the end of your journey!
Overnight Location: None
Distance: 15km
Meals: Breakfast
Standard Accommodation:
Departure on April 1st – October 31st, 2024:
- Solo traveller: EUR1015
- Single room (group of 2+): EUR995
- Sharing a double room: EUR735
- Sharing a twin room: EUR750
- Sharing a triple room: EUR670
Comfort Accommodation:
Departure on April 1st – October 31st, 2024:
- Solo traveller: EUR1045
- Single room (group of 2+): EUR1030
- Sharing a twin room: EUR785
- Sharing a double room: EUR780
- Sharing a triple room: EUR745
Accommodation on the Walk the Le Puy Camino: Cahors to Lectoure
This trip is based in hotels and B&Bs and is offered with either standard or deluxe accommodations. The standard accommodations are mostly 2-star and offer basic amenities. The deluxe accommodations are mostly 3-star and offer either basic or modern amenities to help make your stay a pleasant one.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
If you prefer a single room or you are a solo traveller, the required supplements are included in the listed prices.
What’s Included in the Walk the Le Puy Camino: Cahors to Lectoure Tour?
Meals
6 breakfasts and 5 dinners are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 6 nights are included. Accommodations before the tour in Cahors and after the tour in Lectoure are not included but can be added as a supplement. You can book ahead to extend your stay at any of the locations along the route.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation for you and your luggage are included throughout the tour. Airport transfers are not included but can be booked in advance as a supplement.
Also Included
- Digital route notes and maps
- GPS App
- 24/7 emergency phone support
Not included
- Flights
- Visas if required
- Tourist taxes
- Visits and entrance fees
- Airport transfers
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Guide services
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before, during, or after the tour
- Airport transfers
- Optional activities or excursions
- Printed tour materials (in addition to digital)
- How hard is the Walk the Le Puy Camino: Cahors to Lectoure tour?
- I’ve never been on pilgrimage! What is different about this type of walking 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 Walk the Le Puy Camino: Cahors to Lectoure tour?
- When is the best time to travel to France for this tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Cahors to start this tour?
- Where does the Walk the Le Puy Camino: Cahors to Lectoure tour end?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to France?
- Are there any travel restrictions for France?
We rate this tour a 4/5. You should be comfortable walking up to 25km in a day. The total distance covered walking on the tour is approximately 110km. Fit long-distance walkers will be able to get the most out of this tour.
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.
6 breakfasts and 5 dinners are included.
The best time to travel to Southern France for this walking tour is between May and September. If you prefer walking when the weather is cooler, the spring or early fall is ideal. If you prefer warmer temperatures, walking in the summer months is best.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip. This trip includes some basic insurance but you should verify if the coverage is sufficient. 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 Cahors as a supplement in advance or arrange your own private transfer.
The tour ends in Lectoure. The closest airport to Lectoure is Blagnac Airport (TLS). You can take a combination of bus and train to reach the airport, which takes approximately 3.5 hours.
Alternatively, you can arrange your own private transfer to the airport or book a transfer as a supplement in advance.
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.
Customer Ratings
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.
