I did my first Camino in 2017 and made use of the services of Yolandi @ Stap die Camino Vellies na die Vreemde. I was hooked after this and call myself a Caminoholic. Long-distance walking and Camino life became my new passion & lifestyle. My first route was from Sarria to Santiago, in 2018 Porto to Santiago ( coastal route), 2019 I accompanied a group from Sarria to Santiago. Then of course the other C word halted us all for a while and in 2022 I did the section from Leon to Santiago. In 2023 my lifelong love for France, love for travel and need to explore, got me interested in the route through the South of France, the Via Podiensis. I walked the first four days of the Via Podiensis from Le Puy to Aumont Aubrac and then transferred to Saint Jean Pied de Port. From here I walked the first four days of the Camino Frances to Pamplona. Of course, crossing the Pyrenees mountains was such a beautiful and special experience. One which I will treasure forever.
In 2024 I decided to go back on the Via Podiensis walking day 1 again out of Le Puy and further from where I left off in Aumont Aubrac ending in Figeac. I have fallen in love with this very special route even though it is more challenging than my previous Camino in Spain and Portugal. Leaving the most beautiful town of Le Puy from the Cathedrale Notre-Dame with the view from the steps over the cobbled streets edged in my brain forever! Then crossing the Aubrac Plato, through the most beautiful lush forests, walking through the Lot valley after crossing the Lot river. Daily passing through medieval towns such as Saint Chely, Saint Come d’Olt & Estaing becomes addictive. Whilst researching, I decided to have a rest day in Conques. The latter has been classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France. And I can fully understand why. Although a very popular tourist town today, time has stood still here. Well worth a visit and a rest day.
Leaving Conques, I had three more days to go to my end destination Figeac near the Cele River. I decided to break up the last day and took a bit of a detour ending up in a quaint commune called Felzins. Oh, what a pleasure it was to stay in a beautifully restored 200-year-old farmhouse owned and run by a super friendly Belgium couple. After a long day of walking, being able to swim in their pool overlooking the French countryside and having dinner with them in the main house was pure bliss.
Reaching Figeac, I took a day tour to another one of the officially declared most beautiful villages in France, Saint Cirq La Poppie. This was the perfect way to end this stage of the Via Podiensis. I was in awe.
The friendliness and hospitality on this route are one of the many reasons I look forward to returning for the next stages. Oh and did I mention the French cuisine and wine?
By far the most beautiful route in my opinion. I could go on and on about the Via Podiensis but would prefer that interested walkers experience this for themselves.
With the highly professional assistance of Yolandi, I can highly recommend this as an option.
Elke mens moet die Camino gaan stap.. dis n ongelooflike ondervinding, dit sal jou lewe verander…ja ja, almal wat dit al gestap het sê so, en hulle is reg. Dit was gelukkig ook op my emmerskop lysie en in Julie het ons groot stap uiteindelik gerealiseer. Elke dag se stap, ure van stil wees en tyd om te dink, maar meer nog, tyd om net te fokus op die stap, tree vir tree fokus die pad, die natuur die pragtige landskap, die klein dorpies en natuurlik die mense, wat ‘n ongelooflike 216 km ervaring! Ons het baie kans gehad om te dink, oor dankbaarheid, oor ‘n meer eenvoudige lewenswyse, om ligter te lewe, en n paar ander temas wat Ernst daagliks voorgestel het. Die stap ervaring was selfs beter as wat ek in my wildste drome kon droom!
