WAY TO SANTIAGO

Since its foundation, the abbey-church kept on welcoming pilgrims coming to worship the relics of Saint-Foy, from whole Christian Europe. The Book of Miracles is a witness account of this popular devotion.

To these first pilgrims, many others were added, during the 11^th century. They were the ones going towards Santiago de Compostela, in Galicia. They used to travel along the former Roman road from Le-Puy-en-Velay (the via podiensis), one of the four major axis for travellers in these times.

The Guide du Pèlerin, a Latin manuscript from the 12^th century mentioned Conques, a crucial stop along this route, in these words: "the most precious body of the blessed Foy, virgin and martyr, had been buried by the Christians in this deep valley commonly called Conques, with all the honours; they built above her tumb a beautiful basilica governed by the rules of Saint-Benedict seriously followed to this day, to God's glory; many benefits are provided to all, either healthy or sick; in front of the basilica runs an excellent spring, which virtues are more admired that can be said. Her feast (Saint-Foy) is celebrated on October, 6^th".

Nowadays, this thousand years old devotion is still alive. Many pilgrims, increasing in numbers everyday, add up to the traditional pilgrims of the past, like the modern hiker who, for multiple reasons, takes on this cultural route. It is a priviledged occasion for humane connections and for the discovery of an exceptional heritage site (architecture and arts).

Since 1998, the abbey-church Saint-Foy of Conques and the pilgrim's bridge above the Dourdou River are registered on the list of Worldwide Heritage by UNESCO.

Discovery circuit by car on the pilgrims' footsteps

For travellers wishing to step along the pilgrims' route, while discovering by car, download the guide (in French) with a click here.

Services for pilgrims

Go to the section Shops and services for further information. They group the list of doctors, pharmacies, foodstores, etc... in Conques or in a nearby locality. There is no pharmacy in Conques. The closest on the GR^®65 is at Decazeville, or outside the GR^®65 at Saint-Cyprien (8km).

Two small grocery shops are located in Conques :

- Upperpart of the village, at the angle of Rue de la Peyrade and Rue Emile Roudie, at the arrival of the GR^®65 (dry goods, toiletery products, take-out foods...). Open from 7am-7pm.

- Lower part of the village, near the Pilgrim bridge (GR^®65), at the Camping "Beau Rivage", (April to the end of September). Open from 8am to 10pm.

Other foodstores are located on the nearby villages (Senergues - 10km / GR^®65 before Conques, Grand-Vabre - 5 km and Saint-Cyprien - 8 km). Supermarkets are in Decazeville and Marcillac.

The Credentials : They be obtained at the Abbey Saint-Foy (reception of the Abbey, behind the abbey-church). You can have your credential stamped at the Abbey (reception or St-Norbert bookstore) or at the Tourist Office.

Transport facilities towards or from Conques : Go to the section Coming to Conques, on the Home page, or in the downloadable Livret du Pèlerin, just above.

Catholic worship

Religious services are held regurlarly by the Friars Premonstres Community from Conques.
Tel: 05 65 69 89 43

Web site: www.abbaye-conques.org
email: accueil-conques@mondaye.com

The prayers and masses are held in the abbey-church or in the Rosary Chapel located behind the cloister (during winter times).

7:30 (lauds, except on Monday) / 12:05 (half day prayer, except on Sunday and Monday) / 18:30 (Vespers, except on Monday during winter) / 20:30 (Complies) and blessing of the pilgrims, followed by the organ play and light show (from May to September)

Weekly Mass, at 8:00 (except on Sunday)
Sunday and holy days Mass, at 11:00

Celebration of Saint-Foy: Sunday after October, 6^th. 

Visit of the Treasure of Conques

The medieval Treasure of goldsmith's art is unique in France for its collection dating from the High Middle Age and assembling an important number of reliquaries among which stands, in first place, the famous "Majesty of Saint-Foy" (9^th-19^th c.).

In showing their Crediential, the pilgrims benefit an entrance ticket at reduced price for the Treasure/Museum.

HIKES WITH A DONKEY

LES ÂNES DE MONÉDIÈS will get you free, one day or a week, alone, with family or friends. Discover the splendid nature of our region while hiking with a donkey. It will carry children and luggage, while delighting the group. Multiple options are possible.

Contact
Michelle and Pier Paolo Zenoni - place de la Mairie - 12320 Grand-Vabre
Tel: 05 65 78 49 06 - Mobile: 06 33 30 44 78
Email: ppzenoni@hotmail.fr
Site: www.ane-et-rando.com/monedies/ 

"ORIENTATION -NATURE"
Rando Aveyron offers to accompany you on the Compostela trails from NASBINALS to CONQUES, carrying your luggage on a mule's back. A mule and mountain guide is in charge of the journey. Based near Conques, and sensitive to the regional values, we will make sure you discover all their subtleties. Local heritage, gastronomy and lifestyle.
Contact:
Cappa Jean baptiste
les camps 12330 Valady
Tel: 0565727092 PORT: 0683553049
Email: jbcappa@hotmail.fr
Website: www.orientation-nature.com

Return to Le-Puy-en-Velay (pilgrims on the GR®65)

Return transport services on regrouping (shuttle services)

You must book your seat at least 24h prior to departure.

SARL Taxi Lample
Tel: 0 810 111 755 or 04 71 49 95 55

Transbagages (tel. between 16:00 and 19:00)

Tel: 04 66 65 27 75 or 06 80 06 32 19

For the other transport companies, refer to the Livret du Pèlerin.

For connections by train, contact the Rodez SNCF (www.sncf.com)

Tel: 0 892 35 35 35 or 05 65 77 33 30 or 36 35.

The train station closer to Conques is Saint-Christophe-Vallon (Rodez-Brive-Paris line).

Other train itineraries are possible at the departure of Figeac and Aurillac.