Cycle the Le Puy Camino: Cahors to St. Jean Pied de Port

Arrive in Cahors where your Le Puy Camino pilgrimage will begin tomorrow. Settle into your accommodations, then set out to explore the historic capital of Quercy and its charming old town center.

Your pilgrimage begins with an exciting first ride to Lauzerte this morning. Leave Cahors via the splendid Valentré Bridge as you pedal towards Labastide-Marnhac. Continue the route to Lascabannes, marking your departure from the Lot department as you enter Tarn et Garonne. Press on to Lauzerte. Today’s destination is masterfully carved into the hillside and overlooking beautiful vineyards and sprawling green valleys.

Settle into your accommodations, then set out to explore the town’s upper valley, where you’ll find tons of medieval architectural wonders and a pretty town square.

Begin today’s leg with a pleasant downhill ride to Moissac. Soon after you’ll enter the stunning Lomagne (hunchback Gascogne) area, which sits on the border between Tarn et Garonne and the Gers.

Press on to Auvillar, which you’ll find is built on a promontory. Auvillar is known as one of the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (The Most Beautiful Villages in France), making this a magical stop on the route.

Leave the Tarn et Garonne area this bound for the Gers department. Take in several quaint villages along the way, including Flamarens, Miradoux, Marsolan, each with their own unique style and charm.

Sail through the wide-open countryside of the Gers to the Armagnac town of Condom, where you’ll find tonight’s accommodations.

Bound for the ancient walled town of Montréal-du-Gers this morning, you’ll cycle to Eauze, the capital of Gascogne. Spend some time here on foot, taking in the impressive steeple of St. Luprece and the town’s quaint half-timbered dwellings.

Return to the saddle and ride to sur l’Adour, where you’ll find your accommodations in Aire.

Vast plots and cornfields characterize the route today as your cycle through Latrille, and then on to Miramont-Sensacq.

You’ll soon enter the Béarn area, where you’ll press on to Maslacq through chestnut and fern forests as you enter the scenic Pyrénées-Atlantiques.

Starting out in Béarn today, you’ll soon find yourself in beautiful Basque country, at the heart of the Pyrenean. Pedal through the fortified village of Navarrenx before crossing to Gave d’Oloron, taking in the castles of Montgaston and Joantho.

Then, entering the Lower Navarre, you’ll arrive in St Palais, which is today’s destination.

Your final ride unfolds in the spellbinding Basque country, where you’ll spend the day admiring the typical white houses and half-timbered buildings. Make your crossing to Col des Palombières, then enjoy a downhill stretch to Jaxu before continuing further downhill through Bustince-Iriberry and Saint-Jean-le-Vieux.

Soon you’ll arrive at “the gate of Saint-Jacques,” which marks your entrance to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. Arrive in St. Jean Pied de Port, where you can celebrate the completion of this section of the Le Puy Camino pilgrim route. Congratulations!

This morning your tour comes to an end. It’s recommended to book an extra night in St. Jean Pied de Port to allow you enough time to explore the beautiful village before departure.