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To live an unique experience on the trail and to prepare your roaming...

DOCUMENTS TO HIKE ON THE TRAIL

You wish to use the trail from Le Puy (via podiensis). Many documents are available:

- Le "Sentier vers Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle" Via Le Puy (in French) describes the itinierary and has IGN maps. https://www.ffrandonnee.fr/

- Sur les pas de Saint Jacques (in French) : The hiking guide to prepare your itinirary from Le Puy-en-Velay to Livinhac-le-Haut (Aveyron).

- The Compostela trails from Figeac: Information at the Office de Tourisme de Figeac

- Flyer Conques and Figeac - 2024 : Flyer with information, transports, lodging on the GR65

Conques is also a departure point of an alternative route allowing you to connect with another major pilgrimage site, Saint-Sernin basilica in Toulouse. Following part of the GR®65 than the GR®62B, you may then go on to the Via Tolosana. Go through the hiking guide « Le chemin de Conques à Toulouse ».

Carefull: Conques is also an arrival/departure point for another GR going towards Rodez and Meyruiès (GR®62) in the south of France.

To know about all the trails leading towards Santiago de Compostella, go onto  acir-compostelle.

ADVICES & PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Before starting, here are a few advices:

  • Book ahead your lodging: A reservation is compulsory for groups. For lone hikers, it is advised to book your lodging (24 hours ahead)
  • Book ahead your transport: A reservation is compulsory (24 hours ahead)
  • Weather: Dial the (00)+33 (0)8 99 71 02 12 to know the weather forecast in Aveyron.
  • Halts: In general, distances between halts vary from 17 to 25 km per day. However, kilometres are not always a good indicator as you may have to adapt to the drop of the relief. It is advised to program short distances at first.
  • SNCF Trains: Schedule information dialing 3635 or on oui.sncf (reach Conques from the train stations of Saint-Christophe, Rodez, Viviez-Decazeville).
  • Parkings: For a long stay, use the parking La Rivière (on the D901 -free area, 2km from the village centre, 1km from the pilgrims’ bridge). New rules apply for the town parking (visitors stays only, residents and staff). 

Try as much as possible to use public transports to reach your hiking departure point or to leave from it.

SIGN POSTS

The Route to Santiago de Compostela from Le Puy-en-Velay is nowadays organized, managed and controlled like a Big Hike or Grande Randonnée (white & red sign post markings - GR) to help you walk in comfort.

 It has a position and direction signage.

 

Collective transport (LUGGAGE & PILGRIMS)

You will find here the transporters along the GR65, the Bus line on the Conques-Marcillac-Rodez axis, the Shuttle service until the train station of St-Christophe, the closest from Conques.

  • Bus (line 223) - Axis Conques-Marcillac-Rodez – Line on the Conques-Rodez axis from April 1st until October 31
  • Shuttle from/to St-Christophe train station (for a given hour on Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday; booking 24h ahead) - fee : 2€ one way - 4€ two way

For the transporters along the GR65

TRANSPORTERS DESTINATIONS RÉSERVATION

TRANSPORTS LAMPLE 

Toutes destinations
+ retour Le Puy, Cahors et Moissac
+33 (0)6 07 75 93 32
+33 (0)4 71 49 95 55
taxi-lample@orange.fr
www.transport-lample-conques.fr
CONQUES TRANSPORT Toutes destinations +33 (0)6 45 98 17 44
contact@conques-transport.com
www.conques-transport.com
LA MALLE POSTALE Le Puy - Cahors - Moissac
Vallée du Célé - Rocamadour
+33 (0)6 67 79 38 16
+33 (0)4 71 04 21 79
TRANSBAGAGES Le Puy - Conques +33 (0)6 80 06 32 19
+33 (0)4 66 65 27 75
COMPOSTEL'BUS Le Puy - Conques +33 (0)4 71 02 43 23
TRANSPORT DU LEVANT Le Puy - Conques +33 (0)4 71 32 52 80
TRANSPORT CLAUDINE Figeac - Saint-Jean Pied de Port +33 (0)6 74 91 90 65
LANDES BUS Autres (transport groupe) +33 (0)5 65 51 17 10
TRANSPORT MIDI VOYAGE Moissac - Conques +33 (0)6 14 05 90 28
BERNARD TAXI FIGEAC Figeac - Conques +33 (0)6 07 19 02 41

THE ROUTE TO SANTIAGO DIFFERENTLY

Hike on the trail on different other ways!

Many possibilities:

 - For persons with physical disabilities : a joëlette (all-terrain monocycle) will allow you to hike with the help of two hike companions between Espeyrac and Conques.

 - By car along a discovery route, you may immerse yourself in the footsteps of the pilgrims (without tiredness)

- With a trained donkey as it will carry the younger children or luggage while rejoycing the group.

 

CIVISM

The trails are on protected and fragile lands. We ask you then to …

- stay on the marked trails,

- respect the cultures and animals, the fauna and the flora,

- close field gates and fences,

- pick-up your trash and bring it with you. Keep them until you find a trash can, recycling bin or collecting point,

- do not light up any fire,

- be an actor on the follow-up of the itinerary and of the environment in pointing out any problem regarding signing, trash… met on the GR65, and indicate it on arrival at the lodging, Town-hall or Tourism Office.

Shops & Services

Before Conques: In Sénergues

  • Butchery-delicatessen,
  • General food store,
  • Municipal post office

In Conques :

  • Bakery (April-early October),
  • Food supply shop (at the Campsite, April-September),
  • Municipal post office,
  • ATM (automated teller machine)
  • Charging point for electrical vehicles.

After Conques: In Noailhac  

  • Restaurant,
  • Food supply shop.

CATHOLIC WORSHIP

The religious services are celebrated by the Community of Premontres friars of Conques.

Find the hours of prayers and mass on: www.mondaye.com

THE BEDBUGS

The bedbug is an insect parasite, about 5 to 8 mm in size, brown to grey that lives in the beds (mattress), in the carpets…. Its sting or bite can create a reaction or even an allergy. The bedbug can travel inside your luggage without you being aware of it.

Here are a few essentials to prevent the bedbug from crossing your trail:

  • Check your bedding: if you notice black tiny spots, indicate them to your lodgers to they can take all the proper precautions
  • Avoid the put your bags, bag-packs and personal belongings on the beds
  • Report immediately any recent stings you had or the ones you had at night (lodgers, Tourism Office...)
  • Spray regularly your belongings with a repelant
  • Leave your shoes out of the sleeping area
  • Wash regularly your belongings in a washing-machine (60°C or more) and shake them outside.

For more information: chemins-compostelle