The Way of St James by Bike

Arrive in Le Puy-en-Velay. Capital of Haute-Loire and located in the southeast of the Massif Central, it's an ancient town surrounded by a volcanic landscape which is dominated by rocky peaks rising from the valley floor. We recommend that you allow at least half a day to explore. Take a stroll and visit the Chapel of Saint Michel d’Aiguilhe, built by Godescalc, after his pilgrimage to Santiago in AD951. Warm up your cycling legs and climb the 267 steps for views over the town and surrounding area. You can also visit some of the many museums and the Romanesque Cathedral of Notre Dame. Make sure you purchase your pilgrim passport to have it stamped throughout the journey to St Jean Pied de Port.

Starting from the cathedral, the route ascends quickly to leave the town of Le Puy. It goes through the Monts du Velay, where green lentils are grown, and enters the volcanic range of Devès before going down into the Haut-Allier gorges, a natural frontier before the Velay and the Gévaudan areas. The ascent of the Saugues plateau will be the last difficulty of this stage. Overnight in Saugues which is famous for its mushrooms!
1050m/3444ft ascent, 625m/2050ft descent

Saugues is a small town famous for its English Tower and its Mushroom Fair. Starting there, the route continues into the Margeride plateau, then winds through the Truyère high valley before reaching Aumont-Aubrac. Amongst the most interesting sights are St Roch Chapel or L’Hospitalet du Dauvage Chapel, erected on a lonely pass at an altitude of around 1200m/3940ft. Set at 1043m/3422ft, the town of Aumont-Aubrac is in the heart of Lozère and is an important point on the pilgrimage route.
800m/2624ft ascent, 730m/2395 descent

From Aumont-Aubrac located in "Terre de Peyre" (meaning land of stones), the route goes through pine groves before reaching the Aubrac plateau, covered with pastures as far as the eye can see. While approaching St Chély d’Aubrac you will reach the "Boraldes" (name of the many creeks descending from the Aubrac) land. Further down, around Saint Côme d’Olt, you will discover the Lot valley and the lovely village of Estaing.
655m/2148ft ascent, 1375m/4511 descent

This stage takes place in very hilly Aveyron. However, if you decide to cross the Lot gorges through Entraygues-sur-Truyère and Vieillevie, the difficulty will be ascending the Dourdou valley up to Conques. In this village filled with sloping roofed houses, you will admire the Abbey-Church of Sainte Foy, with its three dominant towers and precious Roman portal.
680m/2230ft ascent, 440m/1443ft descent

On the Lot river, flat-bottomed boats called “gabares” used to transport charcoal to Bordeaux. The river is the connecting thread of this stage, leading you up to Livinhac-le-Haut. You will then leave it behind to reach the pretty town of Figeac, by the Célé river. This is the home town of Champollion (the 'Father of Egyptology' who first deciphered hieroglyphics) and a very important pilgrimage connecting point.
430m/1410ft ascent, 740m/2427ft descent

The route winds along the Célé Valley past several Quercy-like villages: Espagnac and its lovely 13th century church, Saint Sulpice and its troglodyte houses, Marcilhac and the ruins of its Benedictine abbey church, then Sauliac and Cabrerets. In Conduché, you will find the Lot river again and discover the gorgeous village of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, perched on a rocky spur and your hotel nearby in Bouzies.
80m/262ft ascent, 150m/492ft descent

An easier day of cycling today. The approach to Cahors and its famous bridge “Pont Valentré” is via the limestone plateaus and the Lot valley. En route you will come across “cazelles” (dry-stone walls huts), crosses, as well as locks still in use for sailing. Since Celtic times, the town of Cahors 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. The choice is yours as to where you wish to dine this evening.
540m/1771ft ascent, 550m/1804ft descent

The route continues to Labastide-Marnhac and Chateau de Bonnac. Typically, the houses here are built on a hill. The last part of the day crosses the “Quercy Blanc” (White Quercy, in reference to the white calcareous rocks located in the ground) up to Lauzerte. The town of Lauzerte is spectacularly located on a hill overlooking a landscape of vineyards, limestone plateaus and green valleys. Spend some time wandering the upper village with its medieval architecture, ramparts and picturesque town square.
285m/935ft ascent, 185m/607ft descent

The day begins with a great descent to Moissac, a former major stage of The Way of St James, before continuing into 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 the land of white garlic, interesting houses and churches. Later you reach Auvillar, built on a promontory and classified as one of the "most beautiful villages in France". With its circular market built in 1824, clock tower and old stone houses, there is much to see around the town.
245m/804ft ascent, 370m/1214ft descent

Along this stage, you will leave the département of “Tarn et Garonne" and enter the “Gers” départment. The route is lined with quaint villages: Flamarens, Miradoux, Lectoure, Marsolan, and La Romieu. Leaving La Romieu, the expansive views of the open countryside of the Gers are inspiring. The area represents the transition between the 'haute' Armagnac around Lectoure (also called White Armagnac due to the limestone found through the area) and the 'bas' Armagnac around Eauze 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 on 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. Note: there is an early luggage pick up tomorrow (by 7.15am), we suggest leaving your bag to be transferred at reception this evening.
555m/1820ft ascent, 590m/1935ft descent

The cycle route this morning takes you to Montréal-du-Gers, one of the most ancient walled towns of Gascogne (1289). On the way, we recommend a little detour through Larresingle, another of the 'Most Beautiful Villages in France". Continue to Eauze, the capital of the current Gascogne. Take time to admire the slender steeple of St Luperce and the half-timbered house of Jeanne d’Albret. At the end of the day, you will come out on the Adour plain, a very open and intensively cultivated landscape. Aire sur l'Adour is separated into two parts; the lower section which is by the river and dominated by the cathedral of St Jean Baptiste, and the high town or Mas d'Aire, which is dominated by the Eglise de Sainte Quitterie where a Benedictine monastery once stood. Accommodation this evening will be in Aire.
220m/722ft ascent, 240m/787ft descent

This hilly stage first leads to Arzacq-Arraziguet. En route, you will discover the church of Miramont-Sensacq as well as Pimbo, one of the most ancient walled towns in the Landes area. Further on, you enter the Béarn area and its many highlights including the village of Morlanne which is dominated by a fortified castle and has an amazing view over the Pyrénées mountain range. Continue to the village of Arthez-de-Béarn and cross the Gave de Pau river before reaching the small village of Maslacq.
660m/2165ft ascent, 655m /2148ft descent

Today you will transition between the Béarn area and the Basque country, in the very heart of the Pyrenean foothills. After the ancient fortified village of Navarrenx, you will cross the Gave d’Oloron. Along the way discover the Montgaston and Joantho castles before reaching St 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.
380m/1246ft ascent, 415m/1361ft descent

The last spins of the wheel before the Spanish border! You will ride through Ostabat, a former important connecting point for pilgrims still housing remnants of great hospitals and ancient buildings. Not long after, the pretty pilgrimage town of St Jean Pied de Port is entered via the Porte Saint-Jacques. With its ornate Basque style houses and wealth of sights to visit (Citadelle, Prison des Eveques, museums and churches, the various Portes (doors) and bridges over the river Nive), take the time and walk around this evening.
385m/1263ft ascent, 255m/836ft descent

Trip concludes after breakfast.