Living Santiago de Compostela An extraordinary human adventure

For over a thousand years, countless pilgrims have walked the roads to Santiago de Compostela in search of spirituality. Linking Le Puy-en-Velay to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, the mythical GR® 65, known as the voie du Puy, crosses the Aubrac before reaching our villages in the Lot Valley, the second of its sections to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Mythical routes to Santiago de Compostela

Pilgrims crossed France to reach Spain via the Pyrenees. Today, four main routes to Santiago de Compostela have become symbolic:

from Paris, the via Turonensis, which starts in Belgium,
from Vézelay, the via Lemovicensis extends the itineraries of the northern regions,
in the south, the Arles route transits via Montpellier and Toulouse,
and the most mythical of them all, the via Podiensis. Very close to the original route, the via Le Puy-en-Velay has become the most popular of the GR® 65.

Between 818 and 834, the relics of Saint James the Greater were discovered in Compostela, on the Spanish border. Crowds soon flocked to his tomb. Pilgrims from all over Europe made the journey to visit the tomb of the saint considered to be one of Christ’s first apostles. Santiago de Compostela became a major pilgrimage destination.

Between adventure and reconnection A unique experience

Whatever one’s reasons for embarking on the Compostela pilgrimage, they leave an indelible impression. Some say they’ve been overwhelmed, but many say they’ve been transformed by their adventure. Whether it’s a spiritual quest, a sporting challenge or a simple interlude, “le chemin” invites you to reconnect with what’s essential: opening yourself up to the unexpected, getting closer to nature and confronting the elements, living in the present moment, marvelling at the beauty of the landscape and heritage, taking time for yourself… so many reasons to experience intense emotions and unique moments. So why not give it a try?

Let's go step by step

Did you know? Outstanding universal value

The chemins de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle in France are heritage itineraries, based on ancient pilgrimage routes that have been converted into hiking trails. They benefit from two major heritage recognitions:

1987: classification as a European Cultural Route by the Council of Europe
1988: inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List for their Outstanding Universal Value.

In our villages along the Lot Valley, several elements of the GR® 65 benefit from this recognition:

2 bridges on the UNESCO World Heritage List: the Pont-Vieux at Espalion and the Gothic bridge at Estaing
1 section of pathway registered as a Cultural Good “Chemins de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle”: the 17 km pathway linking Saint-Côme d’Olt, Espalion and Estaing.

Treasures and wonders Along the way

Beyond spirituality and faith, the roads to Compostela have always been a vehicle for ideas and the arts, as well as for trade and exchange. The route is dotted with an exceptional heritage: sanctuaries, bridges, pilgrimage churches, crosses, fountains… linger over these treasures scattered along the way.

Curiosities and wonderson the Way to Compostela

Between the splendor of the Middle Ages and modern art, the Route du Puy runs for almost 44 km and 6 stages between our villages of Saint-Côme-d’Olt and Espeyrac, and has...

Works of art as refugesAn artistic journey to Compostela

On the route to Santiago de Compostela, the Fenêtre sur le paysage project is sprouting astonishing works of refuge art. In 2020, the Chambre d’Or, the second of these...

To other routes Grande Randonnée

Along the GRRoaming on our paths

Let yourself be seduced by roaming our Grande Randonnée trails, for a return to yourself and to the essentials. Immerse yourself in the heart of our territory, far from the...