Food-focused walking holidays are gaining real traction with experienced travellers, and UTracks is leaning into that trend with a French itinerary that pairs one of Europe’s classic pilgrim trails with serious culinary credentials.
The French Food Lover’s Le Puy Camino invites clients to experience the full Le Puy route from Le Puy-en-Velay to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, with a 10-day programme that stitches together the most scenic and culturally rich sections of the French Way of St James. A dedicated support vehicle links each day’s walk, making it possible to cover this extended Camino stretch in a single, carefully curated journey.
Starting in Le Puy-en-Velay, the trail winds south-west through rural France towards the Basque foothills near the Spanish border. Along the way, travellers pass through villages where life still revolves around the market square, and every region reveals its identity on the plate – from aligot in the Aubrac Plateau to the scent of wild thyme in the hills above Saugues.
The itinerary builds in several headline culinary moments. In Cahors, guests enjoy a château wine tasting followed by a Michelin-starred dinner, while in Gascony the focus shifts to Armagnac, hosted by a family who have been tending their vineyards and stills for generations. Throughout, regional markets, local kitchens and village dining rooms anchor the experience.
Supported by a walking guide and a dedicated vehicle, the trip features comfortable hotel accommodation and daily walks averaging 10–15 kilometres, striking a balance between activity and time at leisure. This format should appeal to clients seeking an introductory to moderate walking holiday without sacrificing comfort or culinary depth.
“There is so much magic in this trip,” says UTracks guide Jaclyn Beagley, who leads the French Food Lover’s departures each May and September. “You really get a feel for how the landscape changes day by day, for the countryside, the architecture, and what’s on the local regional menus. It is such a beautiful way to travel.”
Positioned as an antidote to over-tourism, the itinerary shines a light on small markets, inns and family-run kitchens, framing the Camino as a celebration of regional France, its flavours and its stories rather than simply a route to be completed.
French Food Lover’s Le Puy Camino – key details
- Trip name: Food Lover’s Le Puy Camino, France
- Duration: 10 days
- Style: Guided walk with curated culinary experiences and comfort accommodation
- Trip grading: Introductory to moderate
- 2026 departures: 10–19 May 2026; 13–22 September 2026