Way of St James Massif Central · Mediterranean and Provence
GR700GR700 Régordane Way
A thousand-year-old road of merchants, muleteers and pilgrims to Saint-Gilles, the GR700 runs down from the volcanic Velay to the Camargue via the Cévennes, the garrigue and Nîmes.
244 km11 stages3,500 m ascentHigh point 1,235 mLe Puy-en-Velay → Saint-Gilles
From Le Puy-en-Velay to Saint-Gilles, over 244 km.
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Elevation profile: from 5 m to 1,233 m over 243.8 km.
The GR700 at a glance
The GR700, or Régordane Way, links Le Puy-en-Velay to Saint-Gilles, on the edge of the Camargue. Also known as the Saint-Gilles Way, it follows a thousand-year-old trade and pilgrimage route: merchants, muleteers, knights and pilgrims took it to reach the tomb of Saint Giles or, in the other direction, the Black Virgin of Le Puy. In the Middle Ages, Saint-Gilles was one of the great pilgrimage sites of the Christian West.
The route owes a great deal to geology: from Luc to Alès, the Villefort fault opens a natural north–south passage through the Cévennes. Mule trains carried salt, wine, olive oil and spices up this way from the port of Saint-Gilles to the Auvergne. The path still bears traces of that era, such as the ruts worn into the rock by carts, the fortified village of La Garde-Guérin and the Château de Portes. In the 12th century, the chanson de geste Charroi de Nîmes already used it as its setting.
The scenery changes with each area you cross: the volcanic Velay, the Margeride and the Gévaudan, the foothills of Mont Lozère, the Cévennes and their former coalfield, then the garrigue of the Gardonnenque, the Costières de Nîmes and the Camargue. In the north, conifer forests and lava flows dominate; further south come chestnut trees, broom, holm oaks and garrigue.
The Cévennes National Park rates its Lozère section as moderately difficult. The upper part, in Haute-Loire and Lozère, often stays above 800 m, while the south can be very hot in summer. The Cévennes railway line, which runs alongside much of the route, lets you walk it in sections.
Highlights
Walking from the cathedral in Le Puy to the abbey church in Saint-Gilles on a thousand-year-old pilgrimage route.
Passing the fortified village of La Garde-Guérin and the Château de Portes, sentinels of the old road.
Spotting the ruts worn into the rock by medieval carts.
Crossing a succession of landscapes, from the volcanic Velay to the Cévennes, the garrigue and the Camargue.
Discovering Nîmes and its Roman heritage before the last stage to Saint-Gilles.
Splitting the walk as you wish thanks to the stations on the Cévennes line, which runs alongside much of the route.
Practical information
Start
Le Puy-en-Velay
Le Puy-en-Velay has an SNCF station, served by TER trains via Clermont-Ferrand or Saint-Étienne. Coaches also link Le Puy to Langogne.
Finish
Saint-Gilles
Saint-Gilles has no railway station: bus line 42 links it to Nîmes, whose station is served by TGV, TER trains and the Cévennes line to Alès and Clermont-Ferrand.
When to go
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The FFRandonnée puts the ideal season from May to October. In summer, the heat makes the southern part (Gardonnenque, Costières) hard going and access to the Gard massifs may be forbidden because of the fire risk; in autumn, Cévenol storms bring heavy rain. Above 800 m, in Haute-Loire and Lozère, the path may be impassable in winter.
Difficulty
Moderate
The National Park rates the Lozère section as moderately difficult: no high mountains, but hilly terrain between the Velay and the Cévennes, then days exposed to the heat in the Gard in summer.
Gîtes d’étape and B&Bs line the route; the La Voie Régordane association lists them by area, from the Velay to the Camargue, and the towns also have hotels. Several companies, including La Malle Postale, carry luggage from one place to stay to the next. Book before setting off.
Rules to know
In the Gard, access to the forested massifs depends on the fire risk: from mid-June to mid-September, the prefecture publishes a map by massif every day at 6 pm; at orange level, access is discouraged and bivouacking forbidden, and at red level, access is forbidden. Between Lozère and the north of the Gard, the path crosses the Cévennes National Park: in its core zone, fires are forbidden, dogs must be kept on a lead and bivouacking is limited to one night near GR trails. Respect private property and close fences behind you.
Water and supplies
There are plenty of towns and villages for overnight stops, but services vary from one to the next: the FFRandonnée topoguide (2025 edition) and the Miam Miam Dodo guide, both recommended by the association, give details of supplies and accommodation. In summer, set off early, carry plenty of water and protect yourself from the sun in the southern part.
The GR700 on the map
The 11 stages
TrekGR stage plan: each stage ends where you can sleep. Actual walking time excluding breaks (DIN 33466 standard).
GR700 between Pont-de-Rastel and Chamborigaud (Gard): path changed after riverbank erosion. Temporary diversion along the D278 and D906, waymarked on site.
Book your accommodation before setting off, using the association’s lists by area.
In summer, before each stage in the Gard, check the fire risk map published by the prefecture, updated at 6 pm.
Use the stations at Langogne, La Bastide-Puylaurent, Villefort, Génolhac or Alès to split the route or reach a stage.
Get the walker’s booklet from the La Voie Régordane association and have it stamped along the way.
Follow the waymarks on the ground, which may differ from the route in the topoguide, as the Cévennes National Park points out.
In autumn, keep an eye on weather bulletins: Cévenol storms can make the path impassable in places.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Régordane Way start and finish?
The GR700 starts in Le Puy-en-Velay, in Haute-Loire, and ends at Saint-Gilles, in the Gard, in front of the abbey church. It passes through Langogne, Villefort, Génolhac, Alès and Nîmes, among other places, according to MonGR.
How does it differ from the Stevenson Trail (GR70)?
Both GRs start in Le Puy-en-Velay and both pass through Langogne. The GR70 then follows Stevenson’s journey via Mont Lozère and Saint-Jean-du-Gard to Alès, while the GR700 heads down via Villefort and Génolhac to Alès, then continues to Nîmes and Saint-Gilles.
Is the Régordane Way a Way of St James?
It is first and foremost a pilgrimage route to Saint-Gilles. The La Voie Régordane association also presents it as a link between two routes to Santiago: the via Podiensis, which starts in Le Puy, and the Arles route (via Tolosana), which passes through Saint-Gilles. It offers a walker’s booklet to have stamped.
Can you walk the Régordane Way in sections by train?
Yes. The Clermont-Ferrand – Nîmes line runs alongside much of the route, with stations at Langogne, Luc, La Bastide-Puylaurent, Villefort, Génolhac, Chamborigaud, La Grand-Combe and Alès. Between Le Puy-en-Velay and Langogne, coaches provide the connection.
Can you walk the Régordane Way in summer?
Yes, but in the Gard access to the forested massifs may be forbidden on days of very severe fire risk, from mid-June to mid-September. The prefecture publishes a risk map by massif every day. The heat also makes the southern part hard going: set off early and carry plenty of water.
Can you have your luggage transported?
Yes. Several companies, including La Malle Postale, mentioned by the FFRandonnée, move luggage from one place to stay to the next; the La Voie Régordane association publishes a list of them.
Route: OpenStreetMap contributors. Elevation: IGN’s RGE ALTI®, one point every 50 m. Text checked on 12 November 2026.
Other GR trails: Massif Central, Mediterranean and Provence
