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Autoire (Martel to Rocamadour)

By Melinda Lusmore

Autoire, GR 652, France

Day 5 on the long-distance walk from Martel to Rocamadour brings you to Autoire – the fourth of the six ‘most beautiful villages’ on this walk – just in time for lunch!

Established in Roman times, Autoire was devastated during the Hundred Years War with the English during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. All that remains from those earliest days is the eleventh-century church – an imposing structure, around which a new town was built after the war.

(First published January 2016, last updated September 2019)  

Church, Autoire, GR 652, France

Not a lot has changed during the last five hundred years and the stone and timber cottages you’ll walk past today look much the same as they did when earlier pilgrims passed through.

Take your time to wander through the village and enjoy the narrow streets and beautifully preserved buildings – and then stop for lunch, of course!

Autoire, GR 652, France

Stone houses line the narrow streets

Mairie, Autoire, GR 652, France

Wisteria covers the Mairie

Autoire, GR 652, France

It’s time for lunch!

Pigeon houses, Autoire, GR 652, France

The GR 652 path leaves Autoire past ancient pigeon houses

Autoire, GR 652, France

Roses and a lace-curtained window on the GR 652 path out of town

Autoire, GR 652, France

A shady path through the forest just beyond the village

FAST FACTS

Which long-distance walk in France visits Autoire?
Martel to Rocamadour

Where is Autoire, France?  Find it on Google maps

Autoire is 10.5 kilometres (6.6 miles) past Bretenoux which is my recommended overnight stop for the fourth day of your walk. I suggest stopping in here in Autoire for lunch on the fifth day before continuing on to Loubressac for the night. 

If you prefer to set your own agenda, I share the steps I take to calculate distances on any long-distance walk (using the Chemin de Stevenson as a case study)

Tourist Office in Autoire

There is no official Tourist Office in Autoire but you’ll find helpful staff at the mairie (council), located in the middle of the village. Opening hours are listed on their website.

Accommodation in Autoire 

Hotel
Auberge de la Fontaine

How to book accommodation in French

Where to eat in Autoire

You’ll find several cafés, a bakery (boulangèrie) and supermarket in the village where you can stop for lunch or dinner, buy picnic supplies or stock up on trail mix.

Practical tips for long-distance walking—preparation, packing and avoiding blisters

Find the perfect long-distance walk - green button

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Walking sign near Mezels, France

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Comments

  1. Ann says

    August 28, 2017 at 7:13 am

    We are mature age Australian couple planning a walk in October from carennac via Loubressac to Autoire.
    How difficult is it coming down the GR652 cliff to AUTOIRE I have looked at your Martel to Rocamadour wonderful walk.

    THANKS FOR HELP

    Reply
    • Melinda Lusmore says

      August 28, 2017 at 7:07 pm

      Hi Ann and Ross,
      Nothing about it sticks out in my mind as being particularly difficult. Mostly this section is fairly flat and it’s always less tiring going down than up. I don’t think you’ll have any problems.
      Good luck! Melinda

      Reply

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Are you dreaming of a walk through the picturesque villages and glorious countryside of rural France and don’t know where to start?

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3 Steps to the Perfect Long-distance Walk

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Are you dreaming of a walk through the picturesque villages and glorious countryside of rural France and don’t know where to start?

Download your FREE guide now!

3 Steps to the Perfect Long-distance Walk

Your details stay here - no walking EVER! It's a promise!

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