Via Podiensis / Chemin du Puy

The Via Podiensis, or Chemin du Puy, is the first half or prefix to the Camino Frances.  It covers 735 kilometers (455 miles) from Le Puy en Velay to Saint Jean Pied-a-port, which is the traditional start of the Camino Frances.   The route is labeled in France as Grande Randonnée GR65 with red and white bars on the trail markers.

In May 2024, I walked the first half of the Chemin du Puy (375 km, 233 miles, 16 days) from Le Puy en Velay to Moncuq.  While I had planned to walk the entire route (31 days) to St. Jean Pied-a-port, life intervened.  I'll complete the walk at another time.

The depictions of a wolf-like creature in several towns represent the Beast of Gevaudan, responsible for fatal attacks on 80 to 124 people between 1764 and 1767.   

I didn't take many photos on rainy or muddy days....

Stage 1 - Le Puy en Velay to Saint-Privat d'Allier - photos

Stage 2 - Saint-Privat d'Allier to Saugues - photos

Stage 3 - Saugues to Les Faux - photos

Stages 4, 5 & 6 - Les Faux to Aumont-Aubrac to Nasbinals - photos

Stage 7 - Nasbinals to Saint-Chely d'Aubrac - photos

Stage 8 - Saint-Chely d'Aubrac to Espalion - photos

Stage 9 - Espalion to Golinhac - photos

Stage 10 - Golinhac to Conques - photos

Stage 11 - Conques to Decazeville - photos

Stage 12 - Decazeville to Figeac - photos

Stage 13 - Figeac to Cajarc - photos

Stage 14 - Cajarc to Limogne en Quercy - photos

Stage 15 - Limogne en Quercy to Lalbenque - photos

Stage 16 - Lalbenque to Cahors to Moncuq - photos