VEZELAY WAY – Chemin de Vézelay

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Vezelay Way

The Vezelay Way, Chemin de Vézelay in French or Via Lemovicensis in Latin #vialemovicensis, is one of the classic Camino de Santiago routes across France. This Camino takes walkers from the vineyards of Burgundy in central France to the feet of the Pyrenees in the French-Spanish border.

The pretty little town of Vézelay in Burgundy is the starting point of this Camino de Santiago route. Vézelay has been a popular destination for pilgrims visiting the shrine of Mary Magdalene, whose relics are reputedly kept in its magnificent basilica. The route then continues across the hills of the Limousin region, the gorgeous medieval city of Limoges, the valleys of the Périgord and the plains of Aquitaine and the Landes. This Camino route is rich in history and home five magnificent UNESCO listed heritage sites.

You will enter Saint Jean Pied de Port by the Saint James Gate and here you can join other pilgrims on the French Way to Santiago de Compostela. Read more Vezelay Way Camino articles on our blog.

This is the complete itinerary for the Vezelay Way (Fr: Chemin de Vézelay, La: Via Lemovicensis), with traditional stages. Please note that ‘splits’ have not been included in the table.

Sections Town Km Section Summary  
Section 1 Vézelay –    
  Tannay 21 The first section of the Vézelay way starts in the lovely town of Vézelay and ends in the medieval city of Bourges.This is an easy section without any particular difficulties and is a peaceful route, perfect for meditation. You will cross beautiful countryside in the centre of France, walking among fields and charming woods. Starting from Vézelay and the basilica of St. Mary Magdalene, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site, you will cross Burgundy, the central region of France, to reach the magnificent city of Bourges.  
  Varzy 19  
  Chateauneuf-Val-de-Bargis 23  
  La Charité-sur-Loire 25  
  Sancergues 10  
  Brécy 29  
Section 2 Bourges 21    
  Charost 29 The second section of the Vézelay Way starts in the medieval city of Bourges and ends in the lovely city of Limoges at the foot of the Vienne River. This is an easy Camino section without particular difficulties. You will cross peaceful countryside, following the Vienne River across charming woods and fields. Starting in Bourges you will cross the centre region of France to arrive in Limoges, a wonderful city with a rich medieval past and the capital of the Limousin Region.  
  Neuvy-Pailloux 29  
  Ardentes 22  
       
  Neuvy-Saint-Sépulchre 23  
  Gargilesse-Dampierre 24  
  Crozant 21  
  La Souterraine 33  
  Bénévent-l’Abbaye 21  
  Pont du Dognon 32  
  Saint-Léonard-en-Noblat 16  
Section 3 Limoges 21  
  Les Cars 30 The third section of the Vézelay Way starts in the medieval city of Limoges and ends in the lovely city of Périgueux. This is an easy section without any particular difficulties. You will cross the Regional Natural Park Périgord Limousin through lovely countryside. You will have the opportunity to explore the medieval streets of Limoges before reaching magnificent villages and towns along the way like Thiviers before finishing up in Perigueux. You will also have the chance to discover some unique monuments like the cathedral of Saint-Front listed as World Heritage Site by UNESCO.  
  La coquille 22  
  Thiviers 18  
  Sorges 14  
Section 4 Périgueux 22    
  Saint-Astier 27 The fourth section of the Vézelay way starts in the medieval city of Perigueux and ends in Mont-de-Marsan, ‘the city of three rivers’. This is an easy section without any particular difficulties. You will cross the Aquitaine region in South West France with its beautiful vineyards and pine forests. Starting in the medieval city centre of Périgueux you will discover the varied countryside of this region, dotted with vineyards, fields, woods and pine forests. You will visit some of the most beautiful cities of France like Sainte-Foy-la-Grande and Bazas with its magnificent cathedral, listed as World Heritage Site by UNESCO, before finally arriving in the lovely medieval city of Mont-de-Marsan.  
  Mussidan 24  
  Sainte-Foy-la-Grande 35  
  Saint-Ferme 25  
  La Réole 20  
  Bazas 28  
  Captieux 21  
  Roquefort 32  
Section 5 Mont-de-Marsan 28    
  Saint-Sever 20 The fifth section of the Vézelay Way Camino route starts in the medieval city of Mont-de-Marsan and ends in the lovely town of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port at the foot of the Pyrenees Mountains. This Camino section is relatively easy; however the end of the section will be more challenging. You will cross the Aquitaine region before arriving at the foot of the Pyrenees. Starting from the medieval city of Mont-de-Marsan you will cross lovely landscapes of green fields and woodland. You will pass some magnificent cities like Saint-Sever and its UNESCO-listed abbey, Orthez and finally Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, not only the final town on this Camino route but also where pilgrims can join the famous French Way.  
  Hagetmau 16  
  Orthez 30  
  Sauveterre-de-Béarn 23  
  Ostabat-Asme 24  
  St Jean Pied de Port 22