Santiago de Compostela in Lyon

A little history 

According to the Bible, James, Jesus’s cousin and brother of the apostle John (son of Zebedee), headed off for 4 years to evangelise the Iberian peninsula. He was decapitated in Jerusalem and his body washed up on the shores of Galicia in Spain.  

Compostela is a mythical Catholic pilgrimage to the tomb assigned to the apostle Saint James the Great in the crypt of Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in Galicia.
 

The paths leading to Compostela cross large swathes of France and northern Spain. The route goes through Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and ends on the western coasts of Spain. These paths are marked and form part of the GR65 long-distance hiking route.

What was previously only a Pilgrim’s Way now welcomes many hikers and walkers keen to participate in an athletic, cultural and - for some - spiritual activity. You can take on as many stages as you want on foot, by bike, or even on horseback. Multiple shelters and guest houses welcome walkers. Check out all available accommodation to book in advance.

Leaving from Lyon  

93% of pilgrims and walkers start their journey in Le Puy-en-Velay, which is also where the official path starts. But there are longer routes and Lyon marks the start of one of these. This route has a storied past, is shaped by varied landscapes, and features its own specific qualities and resources. 

The GR765 long-distance hiking route reaches Le Puy via the Western branch. Make the most of it to explore Lyon’s architectural heritage and the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, the birthplace of Christianity in France

The route 

The route of one of the longer pilgrimages starts in Lyon. It continues to the west of Lyon, takes in the Loire department, then joins the path setting off from Cluny. The two paths then separate before meeting again in Le Puy-en-Velay.  

From the Church of Saint-Nizier, after crossing the River Saône, walkers then enter Lyon's old town (Vieux-Lyon) before getting their blood pumping with the climb up the Montée du Gourguillon. You’ll go past Fort Saint-Irénée, then head through Sainte-Foy-lès-Lyon, Beaunant and Chaponost in the Garon Valley. Though it’s urban, the route follows small, quiet roads and offers the opportunity to admire several aqueducts, Gallo-Roman remains of the system built to transport water from Mont Pilat to Lugdunum.

This first stage between Lyon and Chaponost is 10.4 km long and takes approx. 3 hours.  

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Région AURA

You can find further practical information on the official site of the routes of the Camino de Santiago (only in French)
See also pelerinsdecompostelle.com/tag/voie-du-puy-en-velay (available in English)