Stroll
Camino Le Puy: Stage 3 - Conques to Cahors - 8 Days
Camino de SantiagoCamino Le Puy

Camino Le Puy: Stage 3 - Conques to Cahors - 8 Days

8 Days
Moderate

Camino Le Puy: Stage 3 - Conques to Cahors - 8 Days

from £945 / person

Overview

This 8-day walk from Conques to Cahors traces a varied and rewarding path through the heart of southern France. The route moves through rolling countryside and quiet villages, following the Lot River valley through some of the region's most picturesque scenery, with ancient churches and centuries of history lining the path.

The landmarks along the way are among the finest on any Camino route. The Abbey of Saint-Foy in Conques is a breathtaking starting point, while the Valentré Bridge at Cahors, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, provides one of the most striking finales of any walking route in France. Between the two, the landscape shifts and surprises, delivering a journey that is as culturally rich as it is scenic.

Highlights

  • Stroll through the cobbled streets of Conques, marveling at the Abbey of Saint-Foy
  • Enjoy panoramic views over valleys and hills on the trek to Decazeville
  • Visit the Champollion Museum in Figeac, celebrating the wonders of Egyptian history
  • Experience the peaceful rural paths and vineyards on the Camino de Santiago
  • Unwind in the charming village of Limogne-en-Quercy, known for its truffle market
  • Cross the iconic Valentré Bridge in Cahors, a true medieval masterpiece

Itinerary

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What's Included

Accommodation

Hotel (7 nights)

Meals

7 breakfasts

Transfers

  • Luggage Transfers

Guidance & Support

  • Itinerary & Walk Notes
  • Walking App for Navigation
  • 24/7 on-trip support

How We Rate This Walk

3

Stroll Walking Grade

Moderate

Rated by our team — we walk every route before we recommend it.

Expect some hills and longer walking days. A reasonable level of fitness will help you enjoy the experience.

View Fitness Guide

7

Days on the trail

18-33 km

Daily distance range

189-716 m

Daily ascent range

2/10

Trail difficulty

Where You'll Stay

From Conques to Cahors, the accommodation on this stage has been welcoming walkers for generations. You will find yourself in family-run hotels and guesthouses with en-suite rooms and a warmth that comes from years of looking after people who arrive on foot. Given the logistics of booking seven nights in sequence, walking days may occasionally be slightly shortened or lengthened to ensure all the accommodation lines up. Where alternative accommodation is substituted for those listed, it will always meet the same standard.

Single Rooms

If you are travelling with others but would prefer a single room, we recommend booking as early as possible. Availability can be limited on this popular route and a single occupancy fee applies.

What You'll Eat

Seven breakfasts are included across the trip, served at your accommodation before each day's walking begins. The villages and towns along this stage are good places to stop for lunch, with local cheeses, cured meats and a wide variety of breads easy to find along the way. In the evenings, many properties have their own restaurants bringing the regional food of this part of France to the table, and dinner can be added as a supplement for those who want the full picture.

Note: Please advise us of any food allergies or intolerances at the time of booking. If you have severe allergies, bringing some of your own snacks is recommended, as specialist ingredients can be harder to source along the way.

More About This Trip

The walk starts in Conques and finishes in Cahors. The nearest airport is Rodez (RDZ), a small regional airport with connections to Paris and select European destinations. A bus from Rodez to Conques takes around 50 minutes and runs twice daily from April to October. Outside this period, a taxi is the most practical option. For those travelling by rail, the nearest station is Saint-Christophe, from where a bus connects to Conques. Trains from Paris to Saint-Christophe take around 8 hours. Book French rail tickets in advance through SNCF.

The walk ends in Cahors, which has good onward rail and bus connections. Trains from Cahors to Paris take around 5 to 6 hours.

This walk is available from April to October, with no fixed start days.

This stage descends from the heights of the Aveyron into the gentler terrain of the Lot Valley, and the weather becomes warmer and drier as the route progresses south.

Late spring is a beautiful time to walk, with the countryside in full bloom and comfortable temperatures for the longer days on the causses.

Summers in this part of France are warm, dry and sunny, with temperatures reaching 26°C and above. July and August can be hot on exposed stretches of plateau, so early starts are worth planning. September is a favourite among many walkers, with stable, pleasant weather, golden light and trails that are sociable without being crowded.

Late September is a particularly good time, with the vineyards around Cahors beginning to turn and fewer people on the path. Early October remains very pleasant on this lower section of the route. Throughout the season, local festivals add colour to the journey, from the Fête de Saint-Jacques celebrations to the Festival des Chemins on the Aubrac plateau. Pack a waterproof layer whatever the month; rain is possible throughout the season.

Note: Solo travellers are warmly welcome on this walk. Some transfers are costed on the basis of two people sharing, so a supplement applies for solo bookings. Contact our team for details.

Trails are well-defined throughout, following an ancient pilgrim route across varied terrain. Expect rocky paths, farm and forest tracks, and long open stretches of countryside, with sustained climbs to hilltop towns and villages. Some sections run alongside roads, so walkers should remain mindful of traffic at all times. Good walking boots are essential.

Daily walks cover up to 28 kilometres with up to 500 metres of ascent and descent. You should be comfortable with both the distance and the elevation before setting out. Some stages may be slightly shorter or longer than planned to suit accommodation bookings, and you will be notified in advance if this is the case.

The route is waymarked throughout by the iconic scallop-shell markers, and with fellow pilgrims on the trail, navigation is straightforward. Daily walk notes, maps, and GPX tracks are provided.

You must hold adequate travel insurance for your trip, including cover for personal liability and accidental injury and illness. For all trips involving international travel, your policy must also include emergency medical treatment, evacuation and repatriation cover. We strongly recommend your policy also covers trip cancellation and curtailment, and loss of or damage to luggage.

A cancellation fee usually applies if you cancel after your booking is confirmed. Travel insurance with cancellation cover will generally cover this fee, so it's worth arranging your policy at the time of booking.

Full insurance requirements are set out in our booking terms and conditions.

It will be up to you to place your luggage at the designated luggage pick-up point within the hotel by 8.00 am when required. This generally will be at reception or where you pick up your luggage the night before. Please consult your hosts if any details. Bags must be less than 13kg.

While dinners are not included in the standard package, we strongly recommend adding a dinner supplement for your walk. In many locations along this route, restaurant options are limited or require advance booking, and in some villages, dinner at your accommodation is the only option available.

If you'd like to include a dinner supplement in your booking, please let your consultant know when booking.

Dates & Pricing

Choose Your Start Date

Pick any available date — this is your trip, your schedule

August 2026

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Prices shown are per person, twin/double share basis.

Camino Le Puy reviews

Frequently asked questions

Unfortunately, walkers cannot travel with the luggage. The information you are provided with has details for local taxi numbers, bus and train timetables should you wish to not walk on any day. Your accommodation hosts will also have up to date information and advice should you wish to travel to the next destination by local transport. As always, you can call us in the office should you need help during your walk.

Of course, please let us know at the time of booking if you would like to extend your time in region.

We don't allow children under the age of 12 to do this walk.

Absolutely. Many people choose to complete stages of the Camino as a solo walker. There are many people walking the route and many of the overnight stays welcome hordes of walkers which means you can choose to walk your own journey or join in the camaraderie of walking with others.

Subject to a single occupancy payment, single rooms are available. However, due to the limited accommodation single rooms might not always be available for every night of the tour, but we will let you know your options throughout the booking process.

Of course, we’re happy to discuss your needs.

Of course, please let us know at the time of booking if you would like to extend your time in the region.

We wouldn’t suggest completing the itinerary in less than 38 days but 39 days with an extra night along the way is always a good idea. Speak to the office to insert another rest day if you want to when booking.

Of course, please let us know at the time of booking if you would like to extend your time in the region.

Of course, we’re happy to discuss your needs.

Of course, please let us know at the time of booking if you would like to extend your time in the region by adding rest days or extra time before or after the walk.

There are places we can add extra rest days, please speak to our destination consultants. Conques is described as "one of the nicest towns on the whole Le Puy route," Conques, with its Romanesque Abbey, seems is an ideal place for a break to soak in its beauty and history. Cahors is about half way and is another place to include a rest day. This suggests it's a place worth spending extra time, possibly due to its attractions or amenities.

Want to Know More?

The Camino Le Puy experience

Wonder
Walk all or part of the 730 kilometre Via Podiensis from Le Puy-en-Velay to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
Pass through the Abbey Church of Sainte-Foy, one of the great Romanesque pilgrimage shrines of France
Walk through Estaing, Figeac, Cahors, and Moissac, among the most beautiful medieval towns in France
Wellness
A deeply contemplative route across rural France, away from the crowds of the Spanish Camino
Savour regional cuisine and wines at each stage, from Auvergne cheeses to Cahors reds
The quieter nature of this French Camino means authentic encounters with rural communities at every stage
Nature
Begin among the volcanic plateaus of Le Puy-en-Velay and cross the wild Aubrac plateau
Walk through rolling vineyards, lush river valleys, and the gentle hills of Gascony
Finish with the Pyrenees rising ahead as you approach the gateway to Spain at Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port