It was at the age of 39 that I decided for the first time to embark on the paths of Saint-Jacques. Logic would have wanted me to leave home, especially since I live in la city of Cahors, which is one of the biggest stages on the way to Compostela in France.

​

After careful consideration, I finally chose to start my pilgrimage much further, 300 km from my home, from the town ofPuy-en-Velayin the department of Haute-Loire. It is the historic departure ofthe Via Podiensiswhich follows the GR 65 long-distance footpathto Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.

​

I amtherefore launched alone in 2013, without booking anything, in the footsteps ofGodescalc, this famous bishop left Puy-en-Velay on foot in the year 950 to make this great pilgrimage to the tomb of Saint Jacques. He is still considered today as the first pilgrim to have well documented the itinerary ofthe Via Podiensisand to make it one of the most important European roads.

​

But after walking almost 280 km to the pretty town ofFigeac, I decided to deviate from the classic route of the GR 65 which will take me later to Cahors.

I chose a much less frequented variant crossing theCausses du Quercy regional natural park, to connect theRocamadour sanctuaryand honor the black madonna, asprobably would have done so at the time, I think, thousands of medieval pilgrims.

buen camino :-) ✨ ⭐ Lionel de Compostela 🦋