French Food Lover's Le Puy Camino

On arrival in Le Puy en Velay, make your way to the joining hotel on the edge of the historic town centre. In the mid-afternoon (usually 3.30pm), your escort will meet with the group and provide a brief introduction to the tour before heading out for a guided walking tour of the city (at 4pm for approx 2 hrs). You have the option to ascend high up to the iron statue behind the cathedral, the Notre-Dame de France (The Virgin Mary). From here there is a wonderful view of the town and surrounding old volcanic countryside. This afternoon you can also visit the cathedral sacristy to obtain a pilgrim passport and your first stamp. Enjoy a welcome dinner this evening.

Every morning the cathedral conducts mass at 7am followed by a pilgrim blessing and the option to attend before breakfast is the first activity for today. Following breakfast, we'll gather lunch supplies before commencing our food pilgrimage from the steps of the cathedral. Following the bronze shells through the old town, outside the gates and into the countryside evokes a sense of the journey to come. We follow a well worn path passing small chapels and sweeping vistas at a relaxed pace to St-Christophe-sur Dolaison (8.5km). From here, we'll transfer to St-Privat-d'Allier for our picnic lunch. Set high above the gorges of Allier, the next stage of the walk (7km) begins from this small town with a small ascent to one of the many Hundred Years War watch towers which dot the surrounding valleys. The GR65 leads us down to the valley floor and the town of Monistrol d'Allier. Our driver will pick us up here and drive us to our accommodation in Le Malzieu Ville. Tonight we are accommodated in a simple hotel with a gastronomic restaurant; a favourite with pilgrims and locals alike.Transfers: 31.5km, 65 minutesWalk: 15.5km

This morning we transfer to Nasbinals and walk a section of the Aubrac Plateau to discover this vast volcanic granite landscape, a source of building materials for the local villages. The gothic church bell tower of Aubrac holds the great bell, the bell of the lost ones, which in the Middle Ages was rung in stormy weather to help lost pilgrims find their way. This is one of the most sparsely populated regions of France. Lunch today is in a typical Buron which are found in Aubrac and were generally used in the past to house cheese making operations. The buildings of stone construction found in the area have been modernised to create atmospheric restaurants serving local dishes such as aligot, charcuterie, and meat dishes. Following a satisfying lunch we continue our walk to Saint-Chely d'Aubrac. An afternoon treat is in store as we next head to the Laguiole museum, where the famous knives are made. Dinner and overnight in Laguiole.Transfers: 103km, 2hrsWalk: 16km

After picking up some picnic supplies, we visit a typical farm to discover Tome and Fourme cheese. Transfer to Espeyrac on the GR65 and enjoy a stage of the Way into Conques. The route we follow is largely on quiet country roads (tarmac) with some sections on paths, with the last steep descent into Conques on a stony track. The rewards are great as we make our way into one of the most beautiful towns in France, brimming over with history and with a wonderfully preserved medieval heart. On arrival there's free time to explore the town and Abbey or relax at one of the many cafes.Transfer: 50km, 1hrWalk: 12km -350m, +265m

Following a guided tour of Conques, we transfer to Domaine Corbies where wine growing has been a tradition for centuries. Following a lunch and tasting we continue to église Sainte Radegonde and walk a section of the Camino. The route crosses the countryside to arrive in Figeac, with its lovely medieval architecture. The birthplace of Champollion (mainly known as the decipherer of Egyptian hieroglyphs), this small town is home to the excellent museum dedicated to his work. There is also a Benedictine abbey from the ninth century. Overnight Figeac.Transfer: 50km, 1hrWalk: 10km

This morning we pick up our picnic supplies before continuing to a truffle orchard with its oaks, hazel bushes, vines and hedges. We learn about this mysterious fungus; its history, cultivation, soils required and ageing. A truffle hound will give a demonstration of 'cavage' or truffle hunting. We have the opportunity to sample the truffle. Armed with fresh goodies for our picnic lunch we transfer to Grotte de Pech-Merle and enjoy an al fresco lunch during our walk to Saint Cirque Lapopie, another of the 'plus beaux village de France'. Continue to Cahors on the Lot River, with its lovely 14th Century bridge, “Pont Valentré”. Since Celtic times, the town has had a rich history. It is known as the centre of AOC ‘black’ wine which has been produced since the Middle Ages and exported via Bordeaux, long before that famous region developed its own viticulture industry. This evening is a special treat where we head to a chateau for wine tasting and a Michelin star dinner.Transfers: 3hrsWalks: 9.7km

This morning we spend time at the Cahors markets and purchase our lunch supplies. Cahors' local produce market is centred around the cathedral on Wednesdays and Saturdays and is well attended by locals. Selling anything from flowers to local cheeses, freshly baked bread, colourful spices spilling out of hessian sacks and dried sausages and much more, the markets are a thoroughly enjoyable sensory experience. Armed with fresh goodies for our picnic lunch we transfer to Lauzerte, to continue our walk (5.6km) along the Way of St James. For those interested in architecture and engineering, in Moissac you can take a walk along the canal to the 'Canal Bridge' which enables the barges travelling along the Canal de Garonne to cross the Tarn River (356m below). The aqueduct is one of the largest canal bridges in France and was built in 1846. Later this afternoon, we have a guided tour of the abbey of Saint-Pierre, which with its Romanesque cloister and ornately carved Tympanum is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The abbey is home to an array of remarkable sculptures. This evening we have a typical dinner in a centrally located restaurant. Transfer: 55km, 1hrWalk: 5.6km

After breakfast we have a short drive to Auvillar, another picturesque village. Situated on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Garonne river, the town dates back to the Romans and is surrounded by ancient fortified walls with gateways granting access to the centre. One of the gateways passes under a 17th Century clock tower whose alternating levels of white stone with the typical red-brick of the region gives it a distinctive character. After a short guided tour of the historic heart we continue to a Roman Pont d’Artigues just after the impressive village of Larressingle in the Gers. The fortified walls of the village of Larressingle date back to the 13th Century and it was the home of the bishops from Condom in the Middle Ages. At the Roman pont, which is 1000km from Santiago and UNESCO classified, we continue on foot to Montreal, before transferring to Eauze, an historic market town in the Midi Pyrenees. There's some free time to explore before we head to an Armagnac producing estate to visit the distillery and the ageing cellars. Transfer to our hotel in Saint-Palais (2hrs) for dinner and overnight.Transfers: 300km, 4.5hrsWalking: 11.5km

This morning we have a short transfer to the start of our last stage on the Camino. It's one of the most scenically beautiful sections of the route through the Basque countryside, passing through forest to reach the Pyrenean foothills and the town of St Jean Pied de Port. Many pilgrims begin their journey here, travelling on foot, by bike or with a donkey to cross northern Spain to reach Santiago de Compostela. As a result the town will be full of pilgrims. On arriving at the gate we enter the old town with time to relax and absorb the atmosphere before we take an orientation walk to view the town's attractions. Later we transfer to our hotel in the countryside, and enjoy a farewell dinner of local ingredients.Transfers: 45minWalking: 15.5km

After breakfast there is a group transfer at 9am to Pau train station (approx 1.5-2hrs drive), where the trip concludes. It is possible to be dropped off at St Jean Pied de Port en route (approx 30mins drive), from where you can take a train to Bayonne if you are heading to Spain after the trip.We recommend booking a train departure after 10am from St Jean and after 11.30am-12pm from Pau.