GR 65

The Via Podiensis (Latin via = way, podium = Le Puy (German hilltop ) ) is one of the four historic roads to Santiago in France. It covers today mainly with the GR 65 (French Sentier de Grande randonnée ). It runs from Le Puy -en -Velay in Auvergne Saint- Jean -Pied -de-Port in the Pyrenees.

Pilgrimage

The epoch of the pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela began in the 10th century. One of the first guaranteed travelers was 951, the bishop of Puy Godescalc. In the Liber Sancti Jacobi Pilgrim's Guide to the 12th century, the route is first described.

Starting point of the Via Podiensis is the Notre -Dame Cathedral of Le Puy -en -Velay in Auvergne. First takes you over the Massif Central to the Abbey of Aubrac, in the municipality of Saint- Chely -d'Aubrac, and reached through the gorge of the Dourdou the monastery church of Sainte -Foy in Conques, in the Middle Ages famous for its relics of Saint Fides. Next important goal is the Benedictine abbey of Figeac. With a side trip from there you can visit from the lying just north of Rocamadour with the remains of Saint Amadour.

The trail follows the Lot to Cahors, where it turns south. Other monasteries along the way were in Moissac and La Romieu. In Gascony Condom and Aire -sur -l'Adour be crossed. South of the Gave de Pau, it goes into the Pyrenees to Ostabat where the Via Podiensis united with the north passing pilgrim routes Turonensis Via and Via Lemovicensis. Behind Saint -Jean -Pied -de-Port, it crosses the border into Spain at the Col de Roncevaux. From there, the route is called Camino Francés.

World Heritage

In 1998, the UNESCO, the " Pilgrimage Routes in France " as a World Heritage Site, like the Camino Francés in Spain. In contrast to Spain, however, you had to admit in France, that protection of the actual medieval streets was not possible. Modern road and no longer to be reconstructed track changes they had to disappear to a large extent. So instead, single, important for the pilgrims tradition structures were selected as representatives.

Only at Via Podiensis sections could still be identified, which allowed for a listed building. There are seven relatively short sections:

  • Between Nasbinals and Saint- Chely -d'Aubrac (17 miles)
  • Between Saint -Côme d'Olt - and Estaing (17 miles)
  • Between Mont Redon and Figeac (18km)
  • Between Faycelles and Cajarc ( 22.5 km )
  • Between Bach and Cahors ( 26 km)
  • Between Lectoure and Condom (35 miles)
  • Between Aroue and Ostabat (22 miles)

The historic, protected routing is not always identical to the modern long-distance trail GR 65 So crosses the modern way to Ostabat eg Bidouze, meets the so-called Croix de Gibraltar on a mountain height to the other routes and where you turn off to the south. In the Middle Ages, however, you went through the northerly Saint-Palais and then followed the Talverlauf about Uhart -Mixe.

Among the protected structures belong to the Via Podiensis also some old bridges: the pilgrim bridge over the Boralde in Saint- Chely -d'Aubrac, the Old Bridge in Espalion, the bridge over the Lot in Estaing, the bridge over the Dourdou in Conques and the bridge of Artigue at Beaumont -sur- l'Osse. The Pont valentre in Cahors also situated on the way, but is not crossed by the pilgrims.

Route

Gallery

Old and new signpost in Le Puy

Crossroads on the bridge over the Boralde

Old bridge in Espalion

Abbey Church of Sainte -Foy in Conques

Pont valentre in Cahors

Interior of the Cathedral Saint- Pierre in Condom

Cloister of the Abbey of Saint -Pierre in Moissac

Saint -Jean -Pied -de-Port

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