Camino de Santiago - Via Podiensis : Le Puy to the Pyrenees on the GR65

Experience the best of the French countryside and culture as you traverse historic market towns, dramatic river valleys, and the legendary Aubrac plateau, all while following in the footsteps of centuries of pilgrims heading to Santiago de Compostela. This comprehensive Cicerone guidebook presents the complete Via Podiensis (GR65), described in 28 day-long stages and covering 735km (457 miles) through southern France. Two major variants—the stunning Célé Valley and the evocative Rocamadour route—offer alternative paths, alongside connections to the Camino del Norte, enabling you to tailor your journey to your ambitions and schedule. Whether you have a month or just a week or two to spare, practical advice for walking the route in sections makes the Via Podiensis accessible to all, regardless of your preferred pace or challenge level. Each stage description includes an at-a-glance information box with start and finish points, total ascent and descent, accommodation, and refreshment options. The guidebook features 1:100,000 mapping and larger-scale urban maps for key towns, plus free downloadable GPX tracks for every stage, ensuring confident navigation throughout your journey. You'll also find essential planning advice covering fitness, equipment, travel, public transport, pilgrim lodgings, food, local customs, and practicalities such as pilgrim credentials and baggage transport—everything you need to discover the charm of France's most beautiful villages, world-renowned pilgrimage sites like Conques and Rocamadour, and the warm hospitality that awaits along the Chemin du Puy.