(Published September 2013, last updated April 2024) Until the middle of the fifteenth century, life in this part of the world—between Collonges-la-Rouge and Curemonte—centred around the village of la Combe. But by 1453, at the end of the Hundred Years War, the village had been destroyed and the residents moved to nearby Curemonte. All that […]

(Published July 2013, last updated March 2024) For walkers following the traditional pilgrims’ route along the GR 65 Chemin de Saint-Jacques du-Puy between Figeac and Cahors, two days of walking (or one big day) brings you to the busy market town of Cajarc. If you have an hour or two free to explore the town, […]

(Published September 2013, last updated April 2024). The third day of walking along the Midi Canal from Toulouse to Carcassonne finishes in the port town of Castelnaudary. Founded in the early twelfth century, Castelnaudary grew around a château which was built here in 1118. Over the centuries, the town’s fortunes rose and fell—it was decimated […]

(Published December 2015, last updated March 2024) For many walkers, arriving in Saint-Privat-d’Allier marks the end of the first day’s walk along the Chemin de Saint-Jacques du-Puy. And as the GR 65 path approaches the village, the view of the château and church steeple perched high on the ridge is a most welcome sight—and a […]

(Published February 2016, last updated April 2024) Twelve days of walking—and cycling—is all it takes to make your way from Migennes to Saint-Jean-de-Losne following the length of the Burgundy Canal. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to visit seven châteaux, eleven churches, an abbey and three of France’s most beautiful villages—all within easy walking […]