My first kilometers on the Camino de Santiago starting from Lyon

4 holiday ideas departing from Lyon

Want to walk on the paths of Saint-Jacques de Compostela without leaving for several weeks?

In the Rhône, Discover four holiday ideas initiatory to walk your first few kilometers on the Camino de Santiago: 2-3 day getaways with short stages on the first eastern foothills of the Massif Central.

The 4 routes are accessible in transport.

The Rhône is crossed by three major marked GR® routes to Santiago de CompostelaAll converge towards the Loire before reaching the iconic city of Le Puy-en-Velay:

Le GR®65: Geneva – Le Puy-en-Velay : in its Rhône section, it runs alongside the prestigious Condrieu vineyard in the north of the Rhône valley before entering the Pilat massif.
Le GR®765 North: Cluny – Le Puy-en-Velay, whose route winds through the Haut-Beaujolais, between green hills and villages nestled in the hills.
Le GR®765 East: Lyon – Le Puy-en-Velay, link between Lyon, the Lyonnais mountains and the Loire, along which ancient heritage and rural landscapes follow one another.

Between Beaujolais, Lyonnais and Pilat mountainsThe trails offer mid-mountain landscapes dotted with charming villages, some peaceful, others revealing hidden heritage sites. Enjoy them during a picnic or a simple moment of quiet contemplation.

Three branches, three hiking atmospheres

The Gier aqueduct, located in Chaponost in the Monts du Lyonnais, is part of the Way of St. James (Camino de Santiago).

The GR®765N branch: The bucolic escape

Branch GR®765N (north) connects Cluny to Le Puy-en-Velay by crossing the Upper BeaujolaisA more secluded and wild section north of the Rhône, whose first few kilometers bordering the Saône-et-Loire region run alongside the area surrounding the Grand Site de France, the Roche de Solutré. This stretch of the Way of St. James will particularly appeal to walkers seeking... nature, calm and oxygen.

Between hedgerows, deep forests and green hillsThe path winds through unspoiled landscapes where villages nestle in the folds of the terrain. Regularly, scenic openings offer views of soothing panoramas of the Beaujolais mountainsthe Massif Central, Burgundy or even the Alps.

Among the must-see sections is the ascent of the Mont Saint-Rigaud, which culminates in 1 meters above sea level, making him the highest point in the Rhône departmentLocated in the heart of the Beaujolais Geopark, this remarkable site is one of the oldest witnesses to the geological history of the massif.

The GR®765E branch: ancient and rural

Branch GR®765E (east) connects Lyon to Le Puy-en-Velay. From the very first kilometers, it offers a journey in time. The route climbs gently to reach the rural landscapes of Monts du Lyonnais.

An iconic site marks the beginning of the route: the Gier aqueduct at Chaponost in Plat de l'Air. With its 72 restored archesThis spectacular structure testifies to the ingenuity of the Gallo-Romans in matters of architecture. Built in the 1st century, it allowed water to be transported from Rive-de-Gier to the city of Lyon, then the capital of Gaul.

Beyond Chaponost, the landscapes become more open and the countryside gradually takes over: meadows, orchards and small villages set the pace of the walk. The region is renowned for its fruit production, in particular apples, cherries or raspberries, which can be found in local markets throughout the seasons.

At each stage, the hiker discovers a living territory where heritage, agriculture and nature blend harmoniouslyThe gentle hills and panoramic views of the surrounding valleys accompany the journey towards the Loire.

The GR®65 branch: gastronomic and rejuvenating

Branch GR®65 connects Geneva to Le Puy-en-Velay. With its unique atmosphere, it is the southernmost of the threeIt passes from spectacular vineyard landscapes to the preserved landscapes of the Pilat Regional Natural Park.

In Condrieu, the path follows the Via Rhôna along the river; on its left, the walker can admire the vineyards of the prestigious appellation. Condrieu AOCHere, the vines cling to... particularly steep hillsides, arranged in terraces and supported by dry stone wallsThis spectacular culture has earned these landscapes the nickname of "heroic vineyards", as the work in the vineyards is so demanding.

From the heights, the panoramas open up wide onto the Rhône valleyoffering remarkable views of the river and surrounding hills.

Our suggestions for stays on the Camino de Santiago

To explore these routes at your own pace, we suggest four ideas for hiking getaways on the routes of the Camino de Santiago, accessible by public transport from Lyon.

Lyon → Saint-Galmier – 3 days / 2 nights in the heart of the Monts du Lyonnais
Mâcon → Propières – 3.5 days / 3 nights
Propières → Charlieu – 2 days / 1 night between Beaujolais Vert and the Loire
Condrieu → Bourg-Argental – 3 days / 2 nights from the banks of the Rhône to the Pilat massif

Ways of Saint James of Compostela in the

Compostela: route from Lyon to Saint-Galmier

Compostela: route from Mâcon to Propières

Compostela: route from Propières to Charlieu

Compostela: route from Condrieu to Bourg-Argental

Prepare your hike

To set off with peace of mind on one of these four routes, two guidebooks published by the French Hiking Federation allow you to explore them with a step-by-step description:

Branches of GR®765N Cluny-Le Puy and GR®765E Lyon-Le Puy)
GR®65 Branch Geneva – Le Puy
A unique marking system: the white and red GR® markings

Why choose these stays on the Camino de Santiago?

These getaways were designed to allow everyone to Discover the serene experience of hiking the Camino de Santiago..

Departures and returns possible in public transport from Lyon
Gentle hikes in middle Mountain
soothing landscapes between the Rhône and Loire where the undulations of the hills and the panoramas offer a respite a world away from our hectic daily lives.
Le the charm of little-known heritage sites steeped in history : the collegiate church of St-Symphorien-sur-Coise, the Benedictine abbey of Charlieu, the monumental paintings of Jean Fusaro, the beautiful 19th-century follies in Saint-Julien-Molin-Molette…
Stages designed in villages where it is possible to sleep and eat
recent and maintained GR® waymarking
supports to follow the paths step by stepTo ensure a stress-free journey: Cluny-Le-Puy and Lyon-Le-Puy guidebooks