Cicerone Walking Guide Book: The Way of St James, France GR65, Le Puy to the Pyr

Guidebook to the Way of St James pilgrim route, describing the 730km French section of the Camino de Santiago route from Le Puy-en-Valey in central France to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in the Pyrenees, including pilgrimage history, points of interest, links to other routes and accommodation. Suitable for all abilities but basic fitness is required.

Seasons
not recommended in winter but can be safely undertaken, adequately prepared, any time between late March and mid-late October

Centres
from Le Puy-en-Velay passes through Conques, Figeac, Cahors, Moissac, Aire-sur-l'Adour to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

Difficulty
far from flat but requires no specialist equipment and can be undertaken, with appropriate preparation, by anyone of average health and fitness

Must See
starts in the volcanic Velay region of France, passes through the Margeride, over the Aubrac plateau, the causse before Cahors and the flat Landes region before reaching the foothills of the Pyrenees and the Basque country; interesting churches, cathedrals, historic monunments and vernacular architecture along the way

This comprehensive guidebook describes the Way of St James (Camino de Santiago) pilgrim route through France. Also known as the Chemin de St Jacques or GR65, the 730km (454 mile) route runs from Le Puy-en-Velay in central France to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in the Pyrenees. People have been walking it as a pilgrimage route for over 1000 years, and with adequate preparation it is suitable for most walkers with a basic level of fitness. This indispensible guide contains detailed descriptions and sketch mapping for the route, accompanied by a wealth of practical advice on accommodation, facilities and local points of interest. It also includes information about the history of the pilgrimage, and notes on holy sites and imagery along the route.

The guidebook describes 2-3 additional days from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Roncevalles (and Pamplona), for those continuing along the Camino Francés through northern Spain. It also outlines a 3-4 day route from Saint-Palais direct to Irún, which links with the Camino del Norte coastal route. A companion volume: The Way of St James: Pyrenees–Santiago–Finisterre covers the Spanish section of the route.

Alison Raju is a former teacher of French, German and Spanish to adults and is the author of three other guides published by Cicerone Press: 'Way of Saint James (Camino de Santiago): Pyrenees - Santiago - Finisterre', 'Vía de la Plata (Seville to Santiago)' and 'The Pilgrim Road to Nidaros (Way of St. Olav): Oslo - Trondheim'.

Cicerone Walking Guide Book: The Way of St James, France, GR65: The Chemin de Saint Jacques, Le Puy to the Pyrenees