Walking the Geneva Way from Chavanay to Le Puy en Velay
Stage 3
112.2km
8 days
Carefully Selected 3 to 3 star accommodations
easy
Starting From
€1142
Jan
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Popular Time
Good Time
Off/Low Season
Not Possible
The final section features the mountains of Pilat, with leisurely strolls through the French countryside. This portion of Geneva Way will end in Le Puy en Velay, a beautiful and historic town, where the local cuisine and wines can be actively experienced after a full day’s walk.
FREE This trip createstonne(s) of CO2, we offset it for free
Highlights
The mountains of Pilat
Pilat’s hilly landscape is one of the most beautiful sceneries on the Geneva Way. The lush foothills, numerous ponds and lakes that are characteristic for this landscape will spoil you with a lovely rustic and pastoral atmosphere that looks like straight out of a storybook.
Chapelle Notre-Dame
This chapel in Montfaucon-en-Velay offers not only Romanesque capitals from the 12th century, but is also known for a special collection of art: It hosts 12 panels with illustrations by the Flemish artist Abel Grimmer, who illustrated the life of Christ in the setting of different seasons and the course of the year.
Le Puy-en-Velay
When you are entering Le Puy-en-Velay, you will be welcomed by sight of the beautiful “mountain of joy”, the Montjoie, in the north. But also the town itself, which has been an important place for pilgrims since the Medieval times, boasts an impressive view: two high basalt columns, the tower of the pilgrimage church and, nestled high on top of an extinct volcano, the Chapelle Saint-Michel-d´Aiguilhe will get you in the mood for exploring this historical town.
Chavanay to Le Puy En Velay
Geneva Way
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From €1142
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Preferred Month & Year
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2025
2026
2027
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Services
Included in this package
Bed & Breakfast
Specially Hand-Picked Accommodation
Our Holiday or Pilgrim Pack
24/7 On-Call Support
Virtual Face-to-Face Pre-Departure Briefing
Add-On
Premium Accommodation
Airport Pick-Up
Additional Nights
Dinners
Luggage Transfers from Hotel to Hotel
Day Tours to Local Sites of Interest
Not included
Flights/trains
Insurance
Drinks/Lunch
Itinerary
Day 1
CHAVANAY (Arrival)
Bienvenue! Chavanay is a small village at the foot of the lush Rhone vineyard country. Relax here and sample some of the famous Rhone wines before you start your journey along the Geneva Way, or Via Gebennensis, to Le Puy en Velay.
Day 2 26km
CHAVANAY
to
BOURG ARGENTAL
Today is a beautiful walk that will introduce you to the mountain ranges of Pilat. The day will take you through the vineyards of the region before you start your gentle ascent up the mountains. You will pass the Croix de Sainte-Blandine before descending to the village of St Julien Molin Molette. Climbing out of this village you will cross the Col du Banchet before descending to Bourg Argental. Be sure to visit the Saint André Church here.
Day 3 16.64km
BOURG ARGENTAL
to
LES SETOUX - CLAVAS
The walk today is shorter but heads gently uphill. Initially leaving Bourg Argental you will follow a disused railway track. Climbing steadily past fields and through woodlands, some steeper climbs will come as you approach your stopover for the day at Les Setoux, a quiet little village filled with old stone houses.
Day 4 15.75km
LES SETOUX - CLAVAS
to
MONTFAUCON EN VELAY
A welcome reprieve from the path ascended yesterday, this undulating stage is much easier. Walking over fields, on forest paths, and down quiet country roads, you will amble your way to Montfaucon en Velay. This quiet, picturesque village makes for a pleasant place to stop for the night. Take the opportunity to visit the Notre-Dame Church where there are 12 famous paintings by Abel Grimmer representing the life of Christ.
Day 5 18.13km
MONTFAUCON EN VELAY
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SAINT JEURES
Another pleasant day of walking waits along the rolling hills of Velay. Arriving at Tence, you will cross the Le Lignon brook on an old stone bridge. Then, slowly ascend to St Jeures, passing the graveyard before arriving into the town. Here you can sample the famous ‘Red Pearls of the Monts du Velay’ (red berries) as well as other local gastronomic delights.
Day 6 17.15km
SAINT JEURES
to
SAINT JULIEN CHAPTEUIL
Today’s route is more populated with small towns and villages than other sections of the Geneva Way. The walk to Araules is typical of the last few days, but after this you have a climb up to Raffe across fields and woodlands. The reward for this ascent is a panoramic view of the volcanic-shaped landscape before you. Your final stop for today is St Julien Chapteuil. Here, be sure to visit the church of Saint Julien which will provide you with an elevated view over the surrounding countryside.
Day 7 18.58km
SAINT JULIEN CHAPTEUIL
to
LE PUY EN VELAY
Today is your final day on the Geneva Way. With some gentle ups and downs, the walk today is predominantly descends into Le Puy en Velay via country tracks. Traverse woodlands and quiet country roads before coming into a more built-up area at Brives-Charensac. The rest of your route to Le Puy will be more built up. To complete your trip, be sure to make your way up to the cathedral atop a volcanic hill. Take time to wander around this historical and picturesque town, and sample the local gastronomy.
Day 8
LE PUY EN VELAY
Au Revoir! Congratulations on having completed the Geneva Way! Le Puy en Velay has always been an important sanctuary city as it is home to the mysterious Black Virgin, which has drawn pilgrims from all over Europe since the Middle Ages. But the appeal of Le Puy en Velay goes beyond historical and cultural – the city is also worth a visit for its picturesque location.
How to Get There
This section of the Camino goes from Chavanay to Le Puy en Velay. To reach the starting point of this Camino and depart from its endpoint, the closest airport is Lyon. We can organise airport transfers for you to get you from the airport to your first accommodation, and back to the airport at the end of your pilgrimage.
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