DMSyracuse
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- CF March/April 2015 - SJPdP to Santiago
Cam. Finisterre/Muxia August 2016
Cam. Fatima - Oct 2017
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Among your 3 choices, I only know this one, and I recommend it. However, reaching Cahors from Le Puy in 12 days needs to be fast...
- First 12 or so days of the via Podiensis from Le Puy - maybe taking the Rocamadour variant to end in or ending in Cahors.
I've done 1 and 2 but not the reverse. My unreserved recommendation is number 1. The walk to Cahors is unforgettable, so many wonderful places along the way. Cahors was not our final stop, but we had time to explore. We had zero expectations for this town and in the end, fell in love with it. Gorgeous setting between mountain ranges, horseshoe river enclosing it like a peninsula, large medieval quarter, luscious cuisine (mais oui...this is France, after all!).Hi all,
Making plans for a 2024 pilgrimage and considering a couple different routes for end of May, beginning of June timeframe and would love to hear from others who may have done the options I'm considering. I'll have approximately 2 weeks to walk.
I've done several previous caminos in Spain (Frances, Primitivo), Portugal (Fatima), Italy (Via DiFrancesco) but have never walked in France so I'm leaning towards #1 above. So would appreciate any input
- First 12 or so days of the via Podiensis from Le Puy - maybe taking the Rocamadour variant to end in or ending in Cahors.
- Starting in Lourdes walking the Piedmont to Oloron St Marie, then Camino Arles to Somport, then Camino Aragonese to Puenta la Reina.
- Same as #2 but in reverse direction ending in Lourdes as I do love ending my pilgrimages in such places like Santiago, Assisi, Fatima as I have in previous camino's.
. Thanks!
agree
1. Getting to Cahors via the Voie de Rocamadour / Rocamadour variante might be a touch ambitious in 12 days unless, of course, you are super-fit, injury-free and prepared to walk 30.0+ km each day ... bon cheminHi all,
Making plans for a 2024 pilgrimage and considering a couple different routes for end of May, beginning of June timeframe and would love to hear from others who may have done the options I'm considering. I'll have approximately 2 weeks to walk.
I've done several previous caminos in Spain (Frances, Primitivo), Portugal (Fatima), Italy (Via DiFrancesco) but have never walked in France so I'm leaning towards #1 above. So would appreciate any input
- First 12 or so days of the via Podiensis from Le Puy - maybe taking the Rocamadour variant to end in or ending in Cahors.
- Starting in Lourdes walking the Piedmont to Oloron St Marie, then Camino Arles to Somport, then Camino Aragonese to Puenta la Reina.
- Same as #2 but in reverse direction ending in Lourdes as I do love ending my pilgrimages in such places like Santiago, Assisi, Fatima as I have in previous camino's.
. Thanks!
Yes agreed, I think i would have to choose 1 of 2 endings - 1) end in Rocamadour 2) no variant straight thru on the Via Podiensis to Cahors. I think both of those are doable in 12-13 days.1. Getting to Cahors via the Voie de Rocamadour / Rocamadour variante might be a touch ambitious in 12 days unless, of course, you are super-fit, injury-free and prepared to walk 30.0+ km each day ... bon chemin
Thanks for the info, appreciate it! And yes agree regarding the experience of the candlelight procession, I experienced that in my pilgrimage to Fatima during the Centennial celebration there - unforgettable. Have you ever done either of the variants on the Via Podiensis (Cele or Rocamadour)? I think with my timeframe its doable to either do the Rocamadour variant or no variant and end in Cahors but not both. And the Cele variant looks a little longer so probably not enough walking days to do that as an option.I've done 1 and 2 but not the reverse. My unreserved recommendation is number 1. The walk to Cahors is unforgettable, so many wonderful places along the way. Cahors was not our final stop, but we had time to explore. We had zero expectations for this town and in the end, fell in love with it. Gorgeous setting between mountain ranges, horseshoe river enclosing it like a peninsula, large medieval quarter, luscious cuisine (mais oui...this is France, after all!).
Our expectations of Lourdes were also wrong. Despite all the schlock, we had to remind ourselves that pilgrims since time immemorial in any religion or belief want a memento. The candlelight process in the evening is one of the moving experiences we have encountered. The rest of the walk to Oleron is hiking in the countryside. Lovely, especially with the mountains always to your left (or to your right in reverse), very few hikers (it is truly a path for French hikers) and, at least in our view, no memorable places until you reach Oleron. But if you like solitude with beautiful scenery, that route will not disappoint you.
Thank you appreciate your input and suggestion on the Cluny-Le Puy option.#1 That first part of the Via Podiensis is truly beautiful. Good choice.
#2 I haven't walked the Piedmont so can't comment on that one. Have walked the Aragones though, which is nice, but not as spectacular as the first half of the podiensis, in my opinion.
If it is okay, I would also suggest another one that might be interesting for you: Cluny-Le Puy.
~300kms, so, perfect for two weeks of walking. Good infrastructure but still very quiet. All kinds of beautiful landscapes. Perfectly waymarked. And it ends in Le Puy which is a pilgrimage site itself.
Then continue next year from Le PuyJust an idea of course!
Bon chemin!
Thank you - how would you compare the Cele variant to the Rocamadour variant - sound like you've taken the Cele variant?Among your 3 choices, I only know this one, and I recommend it. However, reaching Cahors from Le Puy in 12 days needs to be fast...
Another advice is to consider the Cele variant, which is quite wild.
I have done both the Voie du Célé [x4] and Voie de Rocamadour [x1.5]Thanks for the info, appreciate it! And yes agree regarding the experience of the candlelight procession, I experienced that in my pilgrimage to Fatima during the Centennial celebration there - unforgettable. Have you ever done either of the variants on the Via Podiensis (Cele or Rocamadour)? I think with my timeframe its doable to either do the Rocamadour variant or no variant and end in Cahors but not both. And the Cele variant looks a little longer so probably not enough walking days to do that as an option.
Yes. Therefore I do not know the Rocamadour variant, but I know the sanctuary, and pilgrims who have done it.Thank you - how would you compare the Cele variant to the Rocamadour variant - sound like you've taken the Cele variant?
I've done #2 and loved it!Hi all,
Making plans for a 2024 pilgrimage and considering a couple different routes for end of May, beginning of June timeframe and would love to hear from others who may have done the options I'm considering. I'll have approximately 2 weeks to walk.
I've done several previous caminos in Spain (Frances, Primitivo), Portugal (Fatima), Italy (Via DiFrancesco) but have never walked in France so I'm leaning towards #1 above. So would appreciate any input
- First 12 or so days of the via Podiensis from Le Puy - maybe taking the Rocamadour variant to end in or ending in Cahors.
- Starting in Lourdes walking the Piedmont to Oloron St Marie, then Camino Arles to Somport, then Camino Aragonese to Puenta la Reina.
- Same as #2 but in reverse direction ending in Lourdes as I do love ending my pilgrimages in such places like Santiago, Assisi, Fatima as I have in previous camino's.
. Thanks!
Thank you appreciate the info and will definitely check out your blog!I can honestly say I wish I were in your shoes...what great choices you have! I have walked your #1 choice the Via Podiensis from Le Puy en Velay to St. Jean Pied de Port and another superb Camino walk the Via Gebennensis (starts in Geneva...forget maybe 12 kms in Switzerland to French border?) to Le Puy en Velay.
The Via Gebennensis is worth considering for sure...a less travelled route which I found very scenic. Having had the opportunity to walk 8 Camino routes my two favourites are the Via Gebennensis and the Camino Primitivo. The Via Gebennensis is ~350 kms and I walked it in 13 days.
The Via Podiensis from Le Puy en Velay to Cahors is a superb walk (Aubrac plateau is incredible) as mentioned earlier. I walked 344 kms to Cahors in 13 days.
Either walk for sure you will enjoy and cannot go wrong!
If at all interested I blogged www.caminolongwalk.blogspot.com from Sep 26, 2013 to Oct 22, 2013 on the 26 days outlined above. A few silly stories...various accommodation stays and pictures.
Buen Camino!
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