Via Lemovicensis

In short: Via Lemovicensis: from Vézelay to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. Length: around 1,100 km, duration: 7 to 8 weeks. Best time: May to October.

Overview

The Via Lemovicensis starts in Vézelay in Burgundy, where the Basilica of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine is UNESCO World Heritage. It runs through Limousin and Périgord to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. The name comes from Limoges.

At around 1,100 kilometres it is the longest of the four classic French routes. There are two variants from Vézelay, which meet again near Gargilesse. The countryside is rural and lonely, and the villages are small.

You will meet few other pilgrims here. Plan your accommodation ahead, as not every stage has a bed. The cooking of Périgord makes up for it.

Main stops: Vézelay, Bourges or Nevers, Limoges, Périgueux, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.

From Vézelay through Limousin

The route runs as the GR 654 through rural France. From Vézelay you choose the northern variant via Bourges or the southern variant via Nevers, where Bernadette Soubirous of Lourdes is buried. Later come Limoges, Périgord and Gascony.

Peace instead of crowds

On this route you will meet far fewer pilgrims than on the Via Podiensis. There are also fewer hostels, and small towns often no longer have a shop. Good planning and some French pay off here.

Planning your stages

How long you need depends on your daily distance. The table works this out for 1100 kilometres, with one rest day a week.

Who is this route for?

With some hiking experience this route is very manageable. Expect climbs and keep your days from getting too long.

What does the route cost?

With an albergue or simple guesthouse and one hot meal, 60 to 80 euros a day is usually enough. Over about 64 days that comes to roughly 3,850 to 5,100 euros, plus travel and gear. This is a guide figure.

You can find more routes under Pilgrimage routes in Europe, Pilgrimage in France, sorted by religion under Christian pilgrimage routes.