You leave Espalion for Golinhac by walking up Mount Rouergate with some magnificent views over the Lot Valley and Aubrac. After a little over ten kilometres, you catch a glimpse of Estaing. The town is rated as “one of the most beautiful villages in France” with its Gothic bridge over the River Lot, the Hospitalité St Jacques community and the 15th-century Saint Fleuret church.
Estaing credit C.Bousquet
This part of the Lot Valley was an easy communications route taken by thousands of pilgrims. The Romanesque buildings along the way and the Espalion and Estaing bridges bear witness to it. The route between Saint-Côme d’Olt and Estaing is considered one of the seven most remarkable natural heritage sites along the Way of St James between Le Puy-en-Velay and Saint-Jean de Port.
Golinhac, on the River Lot, appears at the end of the journey. The town church is dedicated to Saint Martin. The Romanesque foundations of a Benedictine priory, which depended on Conques Abbey in the 12th century, can be still be seen today.