We had a good time despite some rain for which I don't blame them! The hotels were all very different but nice and that was interesting. There was a good variety in the walks and things to see.
It was a wonderful walk with magnificent scenery and fantastic Medieval Villages many listed by UNESCO. We had no problems with local organisation, everything went like clockwork.We would definitely recommend the walk to anyone considering a sojourn in rural France.Thank you for organizing such a wonderful experience for us.
The Way of St. James, Le Puy-en-Velay, Golinhac, Conques, St Privat D’Allier, Saugues, Les Faux, Aumont, Nasbinals, St Chely D’Aubrac, St Come, Estaing
French Camino went smoothly. The baggage transport and accommodation could not be faulted. The owners of each house we stayed in were great hosts, not to mention excellent chefs. The walk itself was well marked and the app that they provided was very accurate. Would use them again!!!!
The walk was very satisfying. It was tougher than we expected however. Especially the Le Monastier to Le Bouchet. The app worked well for the most part. I would say all accommodation was good with the exception of one where the hotel room was very small and the staff not that helpful.
A gorgeous corner of France to explore at walking pace. Many of the paths were timeless and the views spectacular. All luggage and personal transfers worked smoothly.
A charming walk off the beaten track in the Massif Central in France. Facing the Alps across the broad valley of the Rhone lies a walker’s paradise of hills where the Ardeche, Loire and Haute Loire regions meet. This is a watershed for some of France’s great rivers, a land of steeply terraced slopes, half-hidden valleys and tumbling streams, largely absent from the guidebooks. Massive ruined farmhouses seem to have grown from the landscape and the bleat of goats and call of a wild bird are often the only sounds you will hear.
From the first walk at Le Crestet take an ancient drove road, partly through orchards, to the market town of Lamastre, set amongst hills covered with ancient chestnut trees of enormous girth. Turn north now and climb to the old spa-town of Lalouvesc, perched at 1100m above the Rhone valley, with views East as far as the snow-covered Alps on a clear day. Skirting the Haut-Vivarais, looking down on tiny red-roofed hamlets clinging to steep grassy slopes, continue to the hill-village of St. Bonnet le Froid; then south through fields yellow with wild daffodils in late spring and orchids in early summer, skirting the Lac de Devesset (good for a possible dip on a warm day) to St Agreve. Set against the backdrop of Mt. Mezenc & Mt. Gerbier de Jonc, the source of the mighty Loire River, this small market town is a centre for cross-country skiing in winter. Its narrow main street is crammed with old-fashioned shops, selling Le Puy lentils and Rhone wine from the barrel. This 8-day circular walk then goes south past the mighty, ruined Chateau de Rochebonne overlooking the River Eyrieux. Continue to the narrow valley town of St. Martin de Valamas and then back to St. Agreve. On the way back to Lamastre, the circuit goes west along an ancient mule-road, the “Voie des Marchands”, with breathtaking views of the meticulously terraced slopes of the Haut Vivarais to the north.
Cross the rolling hills of the Tarn et Garonne region between the historic towns of Cahors and Lectoure. Traverse the centuries of time and the borders of Europe on the medieval pilgrim trail. In the 9th century, the tomb of the apostle St James was unearthed in Compostela. The site became the focus of a pilgrim trail beginning in France, and crossing northern Spain to Santiago de Compostela. This journey, along the Via Podensis, the French Way of St James, takes pilgrims from Le Puy en Velay to the Pyrenees at St Jean Pied de Port. The route passes a multitude of churches and monasteries, resembling a travelling museum of Romanesque art. Six stages of this historic trail are included in our self-guided walking program in France.
This part of the journey takes you across limestone plateaus cut by small valleys, then on to the plain of the Garonne. The trail is lined with ancient stone walls. After Moissac the landscape changes to rolling hills and lush valleys where fields of corn and sunflower are intermingled with plum orchards.
Overall excellent trip. Weather helped as was excellent. Able to walk all high passes and enjoy fantastic views. Accommodation was basic but OK, food overall was good. Never went hungry. Plenty of opportunity to stop and take photos, never felt rushed.
I really enjoyed the hike. Made friends from all over the world. The first few days was challenging purely because you need to find your mountain legs. After day 3 you settle down.
We enjoyed this walk along the GR65, Chemin de St Jacques, it was great fun and the weather was fabulous. Thanks for your seamless organisation of our self planned and self guided journey - your thorough and attentive assistance for our group’s requirements was everything we expected from you.
Aire-sur-l'Adour, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, The Way of St. James, Aire Sur L'adour, St Jean Pied De Port, Miramont-Sensacq, Fichous-Riumayou, Arthez-de-Béarn, Sauvelade, Aroue, Saint-Palais, Ostabat-Asme
