ITINERARY | HIGHLIGHTS | WEATHER | ACCOMMODATION & ADDITIONAL INFO

Quercy and Aveyron 2008

Figeac to Cahors through the beautiful Célé Valley
(THE PILGRIMAGE ROUTE OF ST. JAMES)

The famed pilgrim's route of St James of Compostela was in fact many routes, taking into account the fact that pilgrims were travelling from different parts of Europe. This section is what is called in France a 'variante' , or alternative route, that was used by pilgrims between Conques and Cahors. It takes you through beautiful medieval towns, past shrines and churches, all set in gorgeous countryside.

PRICE

£475.00 Per person Single supplement £85.00.

INCLUDED

Accommodation for 7 nights (2 star hotels and chambres d'hôtes - usually private bathroom but very rarely a bathroom may be shared). 5 evening meals (drinks not included) and breakfasts, transport of baggage between each overnight and route instructions/maps.
Dinners are set menus - supplement payable locally for a la carte.

NOT INCLUDED

Meals not mentioned above, drinks with meals, transport to Figeac and from Cahors, insurance, local 'taxe de sejour', a small tax (about 1 euro per day) that is not always applied.

Departure dates 2008: any day from April to the end of October.

To book email: walking@star.co.uk
T: (44) (0)1242 254353

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ITINERARY

 

Day 1: Arrive Figeac, a charming town with handsome medieval centre.

Day 2: Figeac to Corn or Espagnac. Today the highlight of the route is Beduer, a pretty village overlooking the Corn Valley and also Espagnac Sainte Eulalie with its remarkable priory. Overnight Corn or Espagnac.
17 kms/10.5 miles (Corn) or 25 kms/15.6 miles (Espagnac)

Day 3: Corn or Espagnac to Marcilhac. Several highlights today - Saint Sulpice, the former residence of the noblest Quercy family then Marcilhac sur Cele, huddled around the ruins of an ancient abbey. Overnight Marcilhac.
22 kms/13.75 miles (from Corn) or 15 kms/9.3 miles (from Espagnac)

Day 4: Marcilhac to Cabrerets. Pass Sauliac sur Cele, with its old houses and cave filled cliffs. Finally, arrive at Cabrerets, with its mysterious 'Chateau du Diable', for overnight. 19 kms/11.9 miles

Day 5: Cabrerets to Saint Cirq-Lapopie. A pleasant and reasonably short stroll to the historic village of Saint Cirq-Lapopie, with its beautifully preserved streets and medieval architecture. Overnight Saint Cirq (dinner not included here).
14 kms/8.75 miles

Day 6: Saint Cirq to Vers. Follow a towpath incised into the rock face - one of the more spectacular feats of engineering from the 19th century - to Vers, where there are remains of a Roman aqueduct, for overnight. 22 kms/13.75 miles

Day 7: Vers to Cahors. Pass through the village of Arcambal, with its beautiful Renaissance church and imposing chateau, and then walk down through the hills to the Cahors, located at a bend of the Lot. Overnight Cahors (dinner not included). 18 kms/11.25 miles

Day 8: Depart after breakfast.

 

DIFFICULTY OF WALK

Not difficult overall but you certainly need to be able to walk between 16 and 28 kms (10 or 17 miles) in a day and able to cope with a considerable number of hills. The route takes you along grassy and stony woodland paths, hill paths, along field and farm tracks, country lanes and riverside towpaths.

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HIGHLIGHTS

If you have done this walk before, we would like to hear of your personal highlights. Mail Us

WEATHER

Click here to view the weather forecast Link courtesy of uk met office

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ACCOMMODATION & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

ACCOMMODATION

7 nights in 2* hotels and chambres d'hôtes.

GETTING THERE

The best way is by train - there are stations at Rodez, Figeac and Cahors. Go to the French Railways (SNCF) website in order to find timetables. The website is at www.voyages-sncf.com where you can click on the small Union Jack (UK national flag) icon for an English version.

AIR: The nearest international airport is Toulouse. approx. 80 miles from Figeac. Rodez also has a small airport but the number of flights is limited.

WHAT TO TAKE:

Comfortable, well aerated clothes in keeping with the season. Always bring a pullover, good walking boots (already worn-in) and several pairs of cotton or wool socks. For your daily needs, you are advised to have a plastic bag to line your day-pack (to protect the contents from rain), rainwear, a sun-hat, sun glasses, sun block, a water bottle, plastic picnic boxes (for transporting your lunches), first-aid kit , camera and film, torch/flashlight.

 

INSURANCE

We recommend that you take out appropriate holiday insurance covering you against illness, injury, and loss or damage to luggage. This insurance should also cover the possibility of your having to cancel your holiday for whatever reason.

To book, contact worldwalks  at:
email:walking@star.co.uk
T: (44) (0)1242 254353

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