From Salles-Courbatiès to Najac via Villeneuve d'Aveyron and Villefranche de Rouergue, hike on the famous road to Saint Jacques de Compostela. You will pass through charming villages where friendliness and hospitality come together.
Day 1: from Salles-Courbatiès to Villeneuve – 7,5 km.
Along the way, you can see…
This stage of the Camino de Santiago will take you through the marsh of Montaris, sensitive natural space. The river of “La Diège” originates there. You can observe a varied wildlife : gray heron, moorhen, mallard duck… You will then cross the causes : domain of sheep, cazelles, dolmens…
Arrive at Villeneuve d'Aveyron, founded in the middle of the XNUMXth century around a monastery and successively rescued, country house county, then royal bastide at the end of the XNUMXth century: small alleys, vaulted passages, ogival doors, defense towers, bourgeois houses... The church is a beautiful building, a mixture of Romanesque and Gothic. In the north chapel of the Romanesque church, be sure to admire the murals, dating from the beginning of the XNUMXth century, which represent the legend of the hanged/depended man.
It will also be possible to visit the House of photography Jean-Marie Périer where there is a permanent exhibition in a magnificent 185th century building: seven exhibition rooms presenting 60 framed prints of the stars of French, English and American music from the XNUMXs…
For the night…
Spend the night in a very beautiful stopover with bedroom and private bathroom in the heart of the medieval village of Villeneuve d'Aveyron.
For your evening meal, you will find several catering options nearby: traditional restaurant, brasserie or take-out...
Day 2: Hike to Villefranche de Rouergue – 14 km.
Along the way, you can see…
After breakfast at the cottage, continuation of the hiking on the Way of Saint James via the GR62B. It is in autumn and spring, in the hollow paths lined with walls that you will discover the Causse, its mysterious light, its subtle shades, its scents… in the uncultivated fields, at the very edge of your path, orchids grow. Nothing giant: they measure between 10 and 30 cm…
Visit of the bastide town of Villefranche de Rouergue and its monuments
Depending on your arrival time at Villefranche-de-Rouergue and depending on the opening hours of the different places you will have the choice between several visits. Enjoy!
We offer three essential visits: the Royal Bastide (old center of Villefranche de Rouergue, guided or audioguided depending on the season), the baroque chapel of the Black Penitents and the old one Chartreuse Saint-Sauveur monastery of the XVth.
Make the most of the city and its other monuments, which are free to enter: the Notre Dame Collegiate Church and its storied stalls and its imposing bell tower-porch 58 m high, the modern Emilie De Rodat Chapel… Perhaps you would prefer a temporary exhibition? Meet at the White Workshop, contemporary art space located in the heart of a garden on the banks of the Aveyron…
For the night…
Your stage tonight: a 3*** hotel, contemporary and design: The Fleurines.
For dinner, a gourmet or traditional restaurant or a brasserie in the city centre, several options are available to you.
Book your room
Day 3: hike to Najac – 22.5 km.
Along the way, you can see…
De Villefranche à Monteils, Aveyron river makes its way through the plain then cuts a passage in the shale up to Najac. It is a vigorous, wild landscape, drowned in the greenery. On the slopes of gorges of the Aveyron in Najac, the chestnut tree is king.
Monteils, a bucolic village located at the entrance to the Aveyron gorges (XNUMXth century church, washhouse). This is the longest stage of the circuit.
Picnic possible in Monteils (grocery store and bakery on site).
For the night…
Spend the night at the Oustal del Barry and enjoy a meal on the terrace. In summer, take advantage of the Wednesday evening night market to taste local products.
Day 4: end of stay in Najac.
After your night in Najac, take the time to visit this “most beautiful village in France”. Walk up the long main street to discover the Governor's House, architecture and heritage interpretation center then complete your journey by visiting the Najac fortress. From the top of its keep, enjoy the view of the Aveyron gorges.
Camino de Santiago: travel by train
A good alternative to the car: the train. More ecological and more practical when roaming!
- Arrive by train at Salles-Courbatiès train station. Depending on your arrival time, you can choose to leave by hiking on the GR62B toward Villeneuve d'Aveyron or make an appointment with your evening host, who will meet you at the station and take you to Villeneuve d'Aveyron.
- Take the train from the Najac train station or by car if you had left it parked in Najac on the day of your arrival. Allow at least 20 minutes on foot between the center of the village and the station.
First direct train to Toulouse at 6:55 on Monday morning. Last direct train to Toulouse at 19:00 p.m. on Monday evening. Journey time: 1h30.
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