Day 4: Villeret-d’Apchier to Saint-Alban-sur-Limagnole (21 kilometres, 13.1 miles)
The fourth day of walking from Villeret-d’Apchier to Saint-Alban-sur-Limagnole offers something for everyone—gentle hills (there are no strenuous climbs), wide green fields and shady paths through the forest.
Back on the trail, looking back to Villeret-d’Apchier
There is only one café along today’s walk unless you detour a kilometre or so off the path to Chanaleilles or les Faux, so carry plenty of trail mix to get you through the day.
Somewhere between Villeret-d’Apchier and le Sauvage
A sign pinned to a tree warns walkers to take care during hunting season
More easy walking between Villeret-d’Apchier and le Sauvage
A little over eight kilometres (five miles) past Villeret-d’Apchier, the Chemin de Saint-Jacques reaches le Sauvage. The gîte here accommodates up to forty people and is a popular overnight stop for energetic walkers covering the section between Saugues and Aumont-Aubrac in two days (as outlined in my four-day itinerary).
Le Sauvage
Lunch is available at le Sauvage between noon and 2 pm each day, and reservations are advised to secure a table. If you miss out, the on-site produce store carries a wide range of high-quality products sourced from nearby farms—perfect supplies for a picnic basket.
Cattle on the path ALWAYS have right of way!
One hour after leaving le Sauvage, the Chemin de Saint-Jacques path passes a small fountain dedicated to Saint-Roch, the patron saint of pilgrims. The water that flows from the spring here is said to be blessed and while I wasn’t convinced it was safe to drink, I did wash my feet for good luck!
Fontaine de Saint-Roch
In the twelfth century, a hostel provided food and shelter to passing pilgrims and a chapel was built a little further along. But by the seventeenth century, the hostel had fallen into disrepair and the chapel was later destroyed during a storm.
Chapelle de Saint-Roch
The church that stands here now was built in 1900—and was unfortunately locked the day I passed by.
A well-shaded section through the forest between Saint-Roch and Saint-Alban-sur-Limagnole
The fourth day of walking ends in Saint-Alban-sur-Limagnole—a small town with a variety of hotels, chambre-d’hôtes and gîtes, as well as several cafés, a pharmacy and an ATM.
The road into town passes by the Tourist Office, housed in a château which dates from the twelfth century. It has been restored and enlarged since then and has served many functions—from feudal fortress to a hospital for the mentally ill.
Pink granite stonework added around the doors and windows of the château in the seventeenth century provides a theatrical and flamboyant flourish.
It’s time to relax over a cold drink in the café in front of the church in Saint-Alban-sur-Limagnole. (We’ll take a further look around town tomorrow morning as we leave for Aumont-Aubrac.)
In Saint-Alban-sur-Limagnole, you’ll find accommodation at –
Relais Saint-Roch
Auberge Saint-Jacques
Les Drailles de la Margeride
Les Genêts
Sur le Chemin
Aux Amis dans le Chemin
Gîte l’Europe
Le Refuge du Pèlerin
Gîte Antre Nous
Gîte la Butte aux Oisseaux
Gîte du Centre
Gîte le Penote
Gîte les Souliers de Saint-Jacques
Gîte le Chemin des Sens
Campground le Galier
How to book accommodation in French
Enjoy a walk from Le Puy-en-Velay to Aumont-Aubrac along the Chemin de Saint-Jacques du-Puy from the comfort of your armchair 🙂
Day 1: Le Puy-en-Velay to Montbonnet
Day 2: Montbonnet to Monistrol-d’Allier
Day 3: Monistrol-d’Allier to Villeret-d’Apchier
Day 4: Villeret-d’Apchier to Saint-Alban-sur-Limagnole
Day 5: Saint-Alban-sur-Limagnole to Aumont-Aubrac
