Our Walk Along the Via Podiensis (GR 65)

Variation along the Via Podiensis Detours and Chocolate Nuns This morning we shared a wonderful breakfast of bread, croissants, homemade jams, a special cake, and strawberries just picked from the garden. We parted ways with Mattias around 8:30 AM and set out to photograph and explore some of Espalion while we waited for the tourist office to open so we could ask for directions to Bonneval Abbey . We had decided that today we would take a short detour off the GR65 to visit the Abbey, which was founded in 1147. It has had a spotted history, falling under English control during the Hundred Year's War and being pillaged during the War of Religion. Today it is home to a community of 35 Cistercian nuns which is essentially self-sufficient, partially due to the chocolate they produce. We had printed off a map of the route to the Abbey, but it wasn't clear which street we should take out of Espalion. We asked in the tourist office, and they suggested we follow the rue Sega...

Historical Cities along the GR65 Via Podiensis  Pilgrimage As soon as we stepped out of our room this morning we could tell today was going to be hot. We had a quick buffet breakfast and then headed over to the Pont Pelerin and began the climb out of the valley. Although the climb was steady and long, it wasn't generally too steep and most of it was on paved road or gravel tracks and shaded by beech trees. Trekking Chemin Saint Jacques  After Lestrade, which had a charming-looking gite in the middle of nowhere, we began to climb again along a rocky forested path. On our way up we passed a group of about 60 school children, all of whom were very polite, and most of whom seemed very happy. By this point it was very hot, so we stopped at a small cafe with a fantastic view and breeze for a piece of tarte aux fruits and a glass of lemonade with grenadine syrup. St Come d'Olt Somewhat refreshed we began the descent into the village of St Come d'Olt. This village has been voted...