The Best Accomodation on the Via Podiensis (Camino Le Puy)

This post is about the best pilgrim’s accomodations on the Via podiensis. One of the things I loved about hiking the Camino le Puy is the wide variety of places to sleep. One night I was sleeping in the former Ursuline church chapel, the next night in a tent in the fields and another night in a dormitory above the cowsheds of a local farm.

Compared to the Camino Frances in Spain, The Via Podiensis in France has a higher standard of accomodation. An excellent pilgrims dinner is almost always included. Pilgrim Albergues are more small scale with often no more than 10 people and the hosts do everything to make you feel welcome.

Below is a personal list with my most memorable places to sleep along the Via Podiensis. Be it for the delicious food the hosts served, the special location or the heartwarming hospitality.

The best Accomodation on the Via Podiensis

Domaine du Sauvage en Gévaudan

Domaine du Sauvage is one of the oldest surviving and continuously occupied pilgrim stopovers on the Via Podiensis. The site was established in the 13th century as a hospice for pilgrims crossing the remote plateau of the Margeride.

Its isolated and beautiful setting is part of what makes Domaine du Sauvage such a special place to stay. Spending the night here, surrounded by the quiet landscape and centuries of history, offers a unique sense of connection with the generations of pilgrims who have passed this way before.

Address: Départementale 587, 43170 Chanaleilles

Couvent du Malet

The Couvent du Malet was my most memorable place to stay on the Via Podiensis. This 12th-century convent is still active, and the resident Ursuline nuns offer pilgrims a warm welcome. You are welcome to join the peaceful evening prayers or watch the short documentary about the convent’s history. Alternatively, you can simply relax and wander through the beautiful convent gardens.

What impressed me most was the genuine interest the nuns took in the pilgrims passing through. I especially enjoyed the conversations we shared over dinner, where the nuns sat and ate alongside the pilgrims. The convent is located just outside Saint-Côme-d’Olt.

Address: Accueil du Couvent de Malet, 250 route de l’Estive, 12500 Saint-Côme-d’Olt

Abbaye Sainte Foy de Conques

One of the highlights of the Via Podiensis was my visit to the medieval village of Conques. Staying at the Abbey of Saint Foy was the main reason it was so special. The history of the abbey dates back to the 8th century, but it became truly famous in 866, when the monks stole the relics of Sainte Foy from Agen.

Pilgrims soon began flocking to Conques, believing that the relics could cure blindness and other illnesses. The abbey also became an important stop on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. To this day, the monks continue to welcome pilgrims.

Once again, pilgrims are invited to join the community for the daily prayers. In the evening, there is a special Pilgrims’ Mass, during which everyone sings the Ultreia song together. Afterwards, there is a storytelling session followed by a light show that illuminates the magnificent 12th-century tympanum depicting the Last Judgment.

Address: Place de l’Abbaye, 12320 Conques

Fleur au Chapeau

Just outside Figeac, surrounded by the rolling hills of the french countryside, lies Fleur au chapeau. This wonderful place offers a retreat for people recovering from burnout, while also providing accommodation for pilgrims. In the true Camino spirit, it is one of the few donativos on the Via Podiensis.

A donativo relies on voluntary donations rather than charging a fixed fee. Rooted in the tradition of pilgrim hospitality, these places operate on a “pay what you can” or “pay what you think it is worth” honor system, ensuring that everyone can find shelter regardless of their means.

What I liked most about Fleur au Chapeau was the warm welcome and the genuine pilgrim atmosphere. Every evening, pilgrims and residents share a communal meal, followed by time for reflection on why everyone is walking the camino and what they hope to gain from the journey.

Address: Relais Saint-Jacques – 1845, route de Buffant – La Cassagnole – 46100 Faycelles

Couvent du Vaylats

The Couvent du Vaylats is a small detour from the Via Podiensis, but it is well worth the extra effort. The convent has a fascinating history. After the French Revolution, a local priest founded it with the mission of caring for those whom society had forgotten.

Built on the ruins of an old castle, the convent soon became home to around 200 nuns. They educated children and cared for the elderly. Although only a handful of nuns remain today, the convent continues to support a number of senior residents.

The Vaylats nunnery is a wonderful building. The pilgrim hostel is now run by a group of enthusiastic volunteers as most nuns are too old to play an active role in welcoming and feeding the pilgrims. One of the nuns did come by after our communal dinner to bless the pilgrims and wish us luck on our journey.

Address: 100 rue de Couvent, Vaylats

Gite d’etappe le Nid des Anges

Le Nid des Anges is a small pilgrims hostel in the former presbytery and right next to the church in the village of Lascabanes. Besides the great food, the main reason to stay here is the special pilgrims mass in the evening where the local priest will bless and wash the feet of the pilgrims.

Address: Le bourg, Lascabanes

Chateau de Flamarens

Have you ever wanted to feel like royalty on the Via Podiensis? You can by staying at the beautifully restored Château de Flamarens. This 13th-century castle was given as the wedding dowry of Pope Clement V’s niece and later became the elegant residence of the Grossoles family. In 1943, lightning struck the castle, causing a fire that destroyed its roof.

Restoration work is still ongoing, but the owner already welcomes pilgrims to spend the night in this remarkable historic building. The château’s hilltop location offers stunning views over the rolling Gascon countryside, and pilgrims can even cool off in the swimming pool after a long day’s walk. The communal dinner is served in the ancient kitchen, where I enjoyed a delicious and hearty parmentier de canard.

Address: 22 Au Village, Flamarens

Chapelle des Ursulines

I stayed in quite a few church accommodations along the Via Podiensis. In most cases, pilgrims sleep in a separate building next to the church. At the Chapelle des Ursulines, however, pilgrims actually sleep inside the church itself. The site was once an Ursuline monastery, but the nuns were forced to leave in 1905 following the French government’s policy of secularization.

The chapel was later purchased from the diocese by a private individual. A decision that ultimately saved it from ruin. Today, the former nave and side chapels have been lovingly converted into a unique pilgrim hostel.

Address: 40 rue Félix Despagnet, 40800 Aire-sur-l’Adour

Landaco

Landaco is another wonderful donativo on the Via Podiensis. It is so deep in the Basque countryside that there is no phone reception, but don’t let that put you off. This is really a lovely place far from everything to wind down and relax.

You will get a warm welcome from Steve who runs the ecological gite and specializes in permaculture and has a passion for cooking. The communal meal Steve prepares is absolutely delicious and he goes above and beyond to make sure you have a good time at his place.

Address: Route d’Oyhercq, 64120 Aroue-Ithorots-Olhaïby, France

Gite Izarrak

Gite Izarrak offers a warm taste of true Basque hospitality on the Via Podiensis. This beautifully renovated farmhouse enjoys sweeping views over the Basque countryside, best appreciated from its balcony. It has a genuine pilgrim atmosphere, with a wonderful communal dinner where your host, Alain, entertains guests by singing traditional Basque folk songs accompanied by his accordion.

Address: 1020 Azmeko Bidea, Ostabat

Disclaimer: This post about the best accomodation on the Via Podiensis (Camino le Puy) contains affiliate links. If you buy any service through any of my links, I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you. These earnings help me to keep Backpack Adventures alive! Thanks for your support!