The Saint James’s Way 2 Party
Continuing our St James's Way pilgrimage this stunningly beautiful walk takes you from Conques to Cahors. Plateaux of scrub and drystone walls with dolmens and stone shepherd huts contrast sharply with the dramatic cliff-lined valley of the Célé river. The most beautiful of historical routes. Dates 2026: 12th - 18th September
The idea of pilgrimage has a spiritual connotation. You will walk through some pretty dramatic settings this week.
The landscape will involve the cliff lined river valleys of the Célé river and the wild rugged plateau tops known locally as the 'causses'. This really is a part of untouched France. Untainted by industry and seasoned with the most beautiful villages perched high or low in the varying landscape.
And here is one of the villages that you will walk through. Need I say more about the beauty of the landscape and feeling of remoteness? What little town by river or sea shore, or mountain-built with peaceful citadel, is emptied of folk, this pious morn? ... And, little town, thy streets for evermore will silent be; and not a soul to tell why thou art desolate, can e'er return ...
James hosts this trip. Hotels, restaurants and visits have been carefully selected to reveal the character and colour of the causses and Célé river valley which is where this walk takes place. You will stay in a town hotel, a fortified chateau and a former bishop's palace! All meals are included and lunch will be a mix of picnics, cafés and restaurants.
Gallery
Accommodation
You will stay in four distinctly contrasting places. The first is in a three star hotel on the banks of the Célé river in the heart of the medieval town of Figeac. From here you move to a charming mill house where you stay two nights on the banks of the river in an idyllic rural setting surrounded by orange and manganese cliffs. Then two nights in an impressive fortified maas finally ending in the former Bishops palace perched on the cliffs overlooking the river Lot.
Grade Of Walking
All the paths will be good solid pilgrimage paths. There will be a few hills but nothing that will not just give you a bit of a puff! One always says a hill is what is needed in order to call a walk a walk! Stunning views along the way.FOOD & WINE
I am not saying that we are going to eat snails along the way but we might try something original for you. One of the most interesting steaks I have eaten was cooked by Marco Pierre White's team on our Suffolk walk and it was the tenderest cut of beef fillet served with snails layered on top. It was a stunning blend of flavours.
We do our best to keep you happy at all times and your glasses full. We will sample some delicious wines from the south west of France, so rich in variety and colour. Cahors, Madiran and Gaillac definitely assuage the palate and an occasional gem of a rich sweet white from Chateau Richard, Saussignac, for example.
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DOWNLOAD NOWDURATION
7 days
DISTANCE
43 miles
PRICE
€3290
SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT
450 pp
DATES
12 Sep - 18 Sep