Le Puy Camino: Rocamadour Variant

Today you need to make your way to Figeac. A medieval town founded in 830 AD around its Benedictine abbey, Figeac became a thriving city in the 13th century thanks to agriculture and commerce. Now with a population of almost 10,000, it contains a substantial and interesting medieval historical centre, dating in part from as far back as the 9th century. It is the birthplace of Champollion, (decipherer of the Egyptian hieroglyphs), and you can visit the Champollion museum. On the ‘Place des Ecritures’ there is a giant copy of the Rosetta stone.

Overnight: Figeac

Leaving the historic streets of Figeac, the trail soon opens into quiet countryside, winding through rolling farmland, woodland and peaceful rural lanes. This first full day of walking features gently undulating terrain and long stretches of uninterrupted trail rather than major climbs. There are no towns or cafés for the first 10 km between Figeac and Cardaillac, so be sure to carry lunch and snacks. The route passes through the beautifully preserved medieval village of Cardaillac before continuing through open fields and wooded sections toward Lacapelle-Marival, a historic market town known for its impressive château and welcoming atmosphere.

Overnight: Lacapelle-Marival
Meals: B

Departing Lacapelle-Marival, the trail leads through the limestone landscapes of the Lot, with a mix of open plateaus, quiet farmland and shaded woodland paths. The terrain undulates gently throughout the day, with limited services along the route, so it’s recommended to carry water, snacks and lunch. Passing through peaceful rural hamlets, the walk offers a strong sense of the French countryside before arriving in Gramat, a lively regional town with a good range of cafés, shops and services, making it an ideal place to relax after the day’s walk.

Overnight: Gramat
Meals: B

Departing Gramat, today’s shorter walk leads across the limestone plateaux of the Lot, following a mix of open countryside, quiet lanes and shaded woodland with gentle undulating terrain. Services along the route are limited, so it’s recommended to carry water and snacks. As you approach Rocamadour, the landscape becomes increasingly dramatic, with rocky escarpments and deep valleys revealing one of France’s most iconic pilgrimage sites. Dramatically built into a sheer cliff face, Rocamadour is renowned for its medieval sanctuaries, historic streets and unique atmosphere. The afternoon is perfect for exploring the village or simply soaking in the incredible setting.

For travellers with more time, an additional day at leisure in Rocamadour is highly recommended!

Overnight: Rocamadour
Meals: B

Today’s stage is one of the longer walking days and is best approached at a steady pace. Leaving Rocamadour behind, the trail moves into quieter and more remote countryside, crossing limestone plateaux, open farmland and pockets of woodland. Services along the route are very limited, so it’s important to carry sufficient water, snacks and lunch. The terrain undulates gently throughout the day, creating a steady walking rhythm before arriving into Labastide-Murat, a small rural market town named after Napoleon’s Marshal Joachim Murat. Dining options here are limited, so planning ahead is recommended.

Overnight: Labastide-Murat
Meals: B

Leaving Labastide-Murat, today’s walk continues through the varied landscapes of the Lot, gradually transitioning from open limestone plateaux into greener, more sheltered valleys. The trail alternates between wide open sections and shaded woodland paths, creating a steady and enjoyable rhythm underfoot. As you draw closer to Vers, the scenery softens, with the route following waterways and gently descending into the village. Vers is a peaceful riverside village with a rich historical backdrop. Anchored by the remains of a medieval château, it offers a quiet and picturesque setting, making it an ideal place to unwind after the day’s walk.

Overnight: Vers
Meals: B

Your final day begins with a few hills as you leave Vers and pass through the historic village of Arcambal, a settlement dating back to prehistoric times and known for its Renaissance church and hilltop château. From here, continue toward Cahors, beautifully set in a bend of the Lot River. As one of the largest towns on the Le Puy Camino, Cahors marks a return to the more lively and well-trodden GR65 route, with a blend of medieval charm and modern conveniences. Famous for its black wine, the UNESCO-listed Valentré Bridge and the impressive Cathédrale Saint-Étienne, Cahors is rich in history, with narrow streets, historic buildings and lovely gardens to explore. Fun Fact! Did you know that the village of Cahors is mentioned in Dante’s Divine Comedy, a testament to its infamous reputation during the Middle Ages.

For travellers with more time, an additional day at leisure in Cahors is highly recommended!

Overnight: Cahors
Meals: B

You are free to check out of your hotel any time before 10 am. If you’d like to explore Cahors further, you can leave your bags with reception. Interested in more walking options from Cahors? Consider extending your journey with our enchanting 13-day Cahors to Condom walk, offering a slower-paced experience through the beautiful countryside of rural France.

Meals: B

19.5kg of CO2-e per person per day

We pay for a monthly offset to cover the estimated emissions of our walkers for all trips with RAW Travel, which goes into local reforestation or biodiversity restoration. Explore the practical actions behind these estimated carbon offsets for your trip here, following a philosophy of ‘re-wilding the planet’ with native tree planting & Ocean plastic cleans ups.

A reasonable estimate for a pilgrim is 19.5 kg of CO2-e per person per day, primarily due to hotels, meals and emissions from luggage transfers. The act of walking itself is a form of sustainable travel, so the carbon footprint calculated here is a measure of the ancillary activities surrounding the walk, not the walking itself. The figures are estimates, not precise measurements for each route/trip, as it’s difficult to provide an exact number without detailed data on specific hotels, menus, and transfer routes which vary from person to person. This figure represents the operational footprint of the hike and its included services only. It does not include the flights and other transport needed to get to the start and finish of the walk.

An individual can significantly influence their footprint with the varied choices they make around food and drink at each meal. For instance, a diet rich in meat, imported goods and alcohol will have a much higher impact than one focused on local, seasonal, and plant-based options. This daily stated figure is an average across the 40 days of the pilgrimage, derived from the key consumption components listed below.

Carbon Footprint Breakdown

• Charming accommodation with en-suite bathrooms
• Daily continental style breakfast
• Luggage transfer each day from hotel to hotel on days when walking (1 x piece/bag per person, strict maximum weight <13kg per bag on Le Puy Camino)
• RAW Travel App with maps of your hotel locations and local emergency contact numbers
• Local RAW Travel support person

• Single supplement $690
• International or domestic airfares
• Travel Insurance
• Lunches or dinners
• Taxi fares or bus tickets in need
• Train tickets
• Guidebooks and phrasebooks
• Arrival or departure transport and/or transfers (into Figeac and out of Cahors)