4 holiday ideas departing from Lyon
Want to walk the Camino de Santiago without leaving for several weeks?
In the Rhône, discover four ideas for introductory stays to take your first kilometers on the paths of Compostela: getaways of 2 to 3 days with short stages on the first eastern foothills of the Massif Central.
All 4 routes are accessible by public transport.
The Rhône is crossed by three major routes of the Camino de Santiago, marked as GR® trails . All 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 the Beaujolais, Lyonnais, and Pilat mountains , the trails offer rolling hills dotted with charming villages, some peaceful, others hidden gems. Enjoy them during a picnic or a simple moment of quiet contemplation.
Three branches, three hiking atmospheres
RT - Corinne Brassard
Benoit Martin
The GR®765N branch: The bucolic escape
The GR®765N (northern) branch connects Cluny to Le Puy-en-Velay, crossing the Haut-Beaujolais region . A more secluded and wild section lies north of the Rhône River, its first few kilometers bordering the Saône-et-Loire department and running alongside the area surrounding the Grand Site de France, the Roche de Solutré. This section of the Way of St. James will particularly appeal to hikers seeking nature, tranquility, and fresh air.
Between hedgerows, deep forests and verdant hills , the path winds through unspoiled landscapes where villages nestle in the folds of the terrain. Regularly, scenic openings offer soothing panoramas of the Beaujolais mountains , the Massif Central, Burgundy, or even the Alps.
Among the must-see attractions is the ascent of Mont Saint-Rigaud , which rises to 1,009 meters , making it the highest point in the Rhône department . Located 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
The GR®765E (east) branch connects Lyon to Le Puy-en-Velay. From the very first kilometers, it offers a journey back in time. The route climbs gently to reach the rural landscapes of the Monts du Lyonnais.
An iconic site marks the beginning of the route: the Gier aqueduct at Chaponost, at Plat de l'Air. With its 72 restored arches , this spectacular structure testifies to the ingenuity of the Gallo-Romans in architecture. Built in the 1st century, it carried water 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 punctuate the walk. The region is renowned for its fruit production , particularly apples, cherries, and raspberries, which can be found in local markets throughout the seasons.
At each stage, the hiker discovers a vibrant territory where heritage, agriculture, and nature blend harmoniously . Gentle hills and panoramic views of the surrounding valleys accompany the journey towards the Loire River.
The GR®65 branch: gastronomic and rejuvenating
The GR®65 branch connects Geneva to Le Puy-en-Velay. With its unique atmosphere, it is the southernmost of the three . It passes from spectacular vineyard landscapes to the unspoiled 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 Condrieu AOC appellation . Here, the vines cling to particularly steep slopes , terraced and supported by dry stone walls . This spectacular cultivation has earned these landscapes the nickname "heroic vineyards ," so demanding is the work involved in tending the vines.
From the heights, the panoramas open wide over the Rhône valley , offering remarkable views of the river and the surrounding hills.
Our suggestions for stays on the Camino de Santiago
To discover these routes at your own pace, we offer four ideas for multi-day hiking getaways on 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
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
RT- Corinne Brassart Why choose these stays on the Camino de Santiago?
These getaways have been designed to allow everyone to discover the multi-day hike on the Camino de Santiago in complete serenity.
- Departures and returns possible in public transport from Lyon
- Gentle hikes in middle Mountain
- The 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
- The recent and maintained GR® waymarking
- The supports to follow the paths step by stepTo ensure a stress-free journey: Cluny-Le-Puy and Lyon-Le-Puy guidebooks
Download the presentations
On the Camino de Santiago – from Lyon to Saint-Galmier
On the Camino de Santiago – from Mâcon to Propières
On the roads to Compostela – from Propières to Charlieu
On the Camino de Santiago – from Condrieu to Bourg-Argental