The GR65 goes through rural areas, but also passes beautiful villages and historic towns, usually located on the river and with a castle as defense.
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Via Podiensis- towns and villages
Tag Archives: GR65
Via Podiensis – on the road early
It’s the end of September, but it is still so warm in the afternoon. That’s why we decided to leave very early in the morning. A few times we left before 7 a.m.; still in the dark. Watching the stars and the moon and hearing the owls calling. So special to see it slowly become light.
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Via Podiensis – Conques
Abbatiale Sainte-Foy de Conques
Conques has been frequented by pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela since the 12th century. The large abbey church of Sainte Foy has an impressive tympanum depicting The Last Judgment. Conques is historically an important place on the road to Santiago de Compostela
We we were staying with many others in the Benedictine monastery of Conques, behind the Abbey. A meal was also served there in the evening.
We walked back into the mountains the next morning, on our way to Moissac.
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Via Podiensis – Plateau d’Aubrac
The fifth night of our trip on the Via Podiensis, the GR65, we slept in Gite la Rose de l’Aubrac, Caroline’s gite in the hamlet of Finieyrols. It was a very enjoyable place. In the morning after an early breakfast we left the house, and very soon we were walking on the plateau. What a surprise! The sun was still low and provided beautiful light over the vast plateau.
The fields were yellow and there were many cows in almost the same color. There were large boulders here and there, and there were stone walls along the path.
Via Podiensis (GR65) – En route
The Via Podiensis or the GR65 is a popular route, running from Le Puy-en-Velay to Saint Jean Pied de Port. The part up to Conques is especially popular. The path is well marked. And there are all kinds of facilities along the way. There are rest areas with water taps and even toilets. So that the environment remains clean. Sometimes you find a food-truck in the middle of nowhere, where you can order a delicious lunch.
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Via Podiensis (GR65) – Gîtes d’Etapes
We walked a part of the GR65, the ‘Grande Randonnée 65’ also called the Via Podiensis. A walk in the Midi-Pyrénées. We walked from Le Puy-en-Velay to Conques and on to Moissac.
We slept for the first time in ‘Gîtes d’Etapes’. An exciting prospect. It became a wonderful part of the journey. The Gîtes d’Etapes where we stayed overnight are ‘inns’ along the route, where you can sleep if you have a ‘credencial’; the stamp card, in which you can get a stamp in every gîte or cathedral. So this gîtes are really intended for hikers. In the morning around 9 o’clock you have to be on your way again on the next stage.
The route is known and loved by many French people. There are not many foreigners on the road. Yes, we met some people from Quebec, who are also French speaking. This means that French is the language.
The months before we went to France we tried to brush up on our French with the help of Duo-Lingo. That helped, but the best French course is practice. Not always easy, but we found the people in the gîtes to be very nice and helpful. We felt completely accepted.
Most people sleep in a dormitory; a room with several beds. But most gites also have smaller rooms. The guests eat dinner together. The food is usually very good and more than enough.
We met some hikers again later, in other gites, or along the way. Everyone is doing the same thing; walking. People are very open to each other.
Twenty nights in different gites, each with its own atmosphere, but we have good memories of all of them.
We walked from Le Puy-en-Velay to Saugues, les Faux, Aumont-Aubrac, Finieyrols, St.Chely, Espalion, Estaign, Sénerges, Conques, Livinhac, Figeac, Béduer, Cajarc, Limogne-en-Quercy, Mas de Vers, Cahors, Lascabanes, Lauzerte, Dufort la Capalette, Moissac.
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