Walking around Vaylats

This easy route with little elevation gain offers two attractions: the chance to discover a rich and varied rural heritage (visit Vaylats and the surrounding hamlets) and a stroll through wild countryside (typical Causse vegetation). The walk begins in a landscape of meadows and fields and continues through dry grasslands and woods.

Details

n°515305

Creation:
20 Mar 2017

Last update:
19 Jan 2018

Last review:
20 Oct 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 9.71 km
Average duration: 3h 00
Difficulty: Easy
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 86 m
Descent: - 87 m
Highest point: 327 m
Lowest point: 276 m

Country: France
District: Vaylats (46230)
Start/End: N 44.337265° / E 1.642931°
IGN map(s): Ref. 2139E
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Photos

Main path marked GRP with white stone markers

Entrance to the former convent of Vaylats

Remarkable façade on the GRP on the way back after the right turn

Description of the walk

The route starts in the centre of the village of Vaylats. There are plenty of parking spaces around the church.

(S/E) Head towards the D19 road and cross it carefully to follow the small road opposite for 50 metres before turning right onto the castiné path that leads to the cemetery.

(1) Pass the first path on your right (a section of^{the GRP® trail} running parallel to the D19) and a second path leading to the Moulin de La Pauze mill and the ruins of Planard. Continue straight ahead on the wide white^GRP® trail (marked in red and yellow), walking along the left side of the cemetery. Pass a crossroads and continue straight ahead.

(2) After 800 metres, you will come to a T-junction with the legendary^GR®65(Way of St James). Turn right and follow it for about 100 metres. Leave it, leaving Bach on your left, and continue straight ahead, rejoining the GRP^®. After 400 metres, cross the D19 carefully and continue straight ahead for about 800 metres.

(3) Leave a dirt track on your left and, 20 metres further on, take the path on your right. You will soon arrive at a hamlet called Poffy.

(4) After passing a house undergoing restoration on your left, turn left and continue straight ahead for about 1 kilometre. At a crossroads, ignore the paths to the right and left and continue straight ahead on a dirt track into the countryside.

(5) At a crossroads with several paths (elevation 323), turn right and continue slightly downhill until you reach a large dirt road in a T-shape. Follow it to the left to reach a major crossroads.

(6) Ignore a path on the left and another on the right. Climb up the stony path opposite and continue straight ahead for 750 metres. Pass by an old house with a remarkable restored well at the side of the path.

(7) Be careful, tricky point: after the right-hand bend in the path, don't miss the path that descends to the left. Follow it to a small road that bends to the right. Continue straight ahead on this road for 150 metres.

(8) Take the path that opens up opposite and continue straight ahead for about 1.4 kilometres. Keep to the left of the closed road with the Caylus military camp on the other side. Ignore all the paths on the right and continue to the bottom of the valley.

(9) Turn right and join the^GRP® (follow the signs to Vaylats). Follow this dirt track to the hamlet of Richard (1 kilometre). When you reach the hamlet, ignore the track on the right and continue to the T-junction with a small road. Turn left and continue straight ahead until you reach the D171. Follow this road to the right for about 50 metres.

(10) Cross it carefully and take the large white road on the left, following it for 600 metres. After passing an imposing residence on the left, follow the^GRP® by turning right. Pass behind a beautiful farmhouse and walk alongside the old convent. At the T-junction, turn left, then right about 30 metres further on and head towards the centre of the village to reach the church (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 299 m - Car park near the church
1 : km 0.25 - alt. 305 m - Cemetery
2 : km 1.39 - alt. 308 m - Junction with the GR65
3 : km 2.64 - alt. 321 m - Crossroads
4 : km 2.8 - alt. 325 m - Poffy hamlet
5 : km 3.89 - alt. 323 m - Wild nature route
6 : km 4.41 - alt. 290 m - Crossroads
7 : km 5.14 - alt. 290 m - Restored well
8 : km 5.53 - alt. 296 m - Path opposite
9 : km 6.99 - alt. 281 m - Junction with the GRP
10 : km 8.63 - alt. 307 m - Wide white path
S/E : km 9.71 - alt. 299 m - Car park near the church

Notes

Be sure to bring plenty of supplies. In Vaylats, there is a grocery store/café/gallery (de l'Orme) in the centre of the village, as well as a bakery on the outskirts (delicious "Le Croustilot" bread speciality). Be sure to check the opening days and hours for both shops.
Otherwise, supplies are available in Lalbenque, Puylaroque or Limogne, depending on which direction you are coming from.
There are no water points on the route.
A few barns and a cazelle (sheepfold) can provide shelter for a picnic if it rains.
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NB: Crossroads before (5): you can turn right (the point towards (5) is an alternative route for lovers of wild nature).

Worth a visit

Between (1) and (2): you can take the small path that leads to La Pauze, which opens up on the right just before the cemetery, to discover the beautiful site of La Pauze (an old windmill) and the site of Planard (a ruined mill). The return journey is via the small path that leads to the right at the first crossroads between (1) and (2).
Just after the (2): note the beautiful stone wall restored by volunteers from "1000 mains à la pâte" who follow the^GR®65.

At (4): the hamlet of Poffy (courageous restoration of an old stone house)
Between (4) and (5): on the right, the ruined hamlet of Mas de Léris (beautiful lintels, well dug into the rock) and then a superb cazelle overlooking a valley at the bottom of a well-maintained wood on the left.

At (5): superb corner of unspoilt nature (vegetation typical of the Causse plateau)
Just before point 7: example of an exceptional restoration (well with slate roof and low wall of small stones).

Between (8) and (9): old abandoned hazelnut plantation, pretty cazelle (pointed slate roof) and ruined barn (beautiful carpentry work). Hamlet of Richard (cazelle, bread oven and dovecote).

Between (9) and (10): note the round well with a flat slate roof on the left and the unusual hut with a recess and a beautiful vineyard (a rare sight on the Causse) on the right. At the crossroads, admire a beautiful calvary topped with an iron cross. Opposite the white path, don't miss a small dovecote currently being restored and a well-designed recessed well.

After the (10): returning at the end of the white path on the right, you will pass a beautiful farmhouse with a very attractive façade and a bread oven. You can also admire the superb architecture of the former convent.
On arrival (or departure): the village of Vaylats with its beautifully restored houses, the church (with fine paintings and remarkable stained glass windows) and the former convent of the Confrérie des Filles de Jésus (which offers high-quality accommodation for pilgrims).

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5

Based on 12 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5

Route interest
4.3 / 5

Jean-Y

20 Oct 2025 at 11:17 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Enjoy your hike, which is not very busy in autumn.

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uju

07 May 2025 at 20:51 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant and well-documented hike. Thank you to the author.

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Leclanpin

19 Nov 2024 at 11:37 3600

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Nice hike, very detailed description.

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Beaujouan

11 Jun 2024 at 09:14 7200

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

the route does not have any signposts.

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pommade

12 Jan 2022 at 18:47 3600

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 12, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

There's just one problem when you talk about the Planard site... there are no directions on how to find it.
Then, in terms of distance, I think it's 12 km and takes 3 hours.
Otherwise, it's a beautiful hike, a bit muddy at this time of year, but that's the case with all dirt roads.
Thank you.

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pommade

29 Jul 2021 at 20:54 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A short, shaded walk with lots to see. Easily done in 2½ hours.
Thank you.

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jml82

30 Dec 2019 at 16:57 3600

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 29, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A pleasant walk despite the muddy trail after recent rains. The clay soil is to blame. It does not absorb the frequent rainfall, and we end up wading like ducks! Well, in August, the problem is solved!
With a bit of luck, you'll see a beautiful Poitou donkey around km 3 on the left.

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pascale.sartre

14 May 2019 at 06:57 7200

Thank you 😍

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talut denis

13 May 2019 at 20:47 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 06, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Good description of the route with details
that's what's most interesting

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talut denis

08 Apr 2019 at 10:08 7200

i will do this hike in May

D TALUT

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Soulié Maurice

02 Apr 2019 at 14:03 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 31, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A pleasant, easy hike with little tarmac, wide paths, numerous houses, gariottes (stone huts) and pigeon lofts typical of the Causse region. Very pretty convent in Vaylats. The square in front of the village hall is very convenient for parking when there is a group with quite a few cars.

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Azimut71

29 May 2018 at 20:01 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 18, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The hike is very pleasant, despite the proximity of the (deserted) road and the military camp facilities.
The dovecote in the hamlet of Richard would be superb if the surrounding roof were not 'decorated' with solar panels. What a lack of taste!

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moripo

28 Jul 2017 at 11:39 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A very pleasant hike, shaded for most of the route, with only the last two kilometres being a little monotonous, with long straight stretches across bare terrain. Numerous vernacular structures (wells, gariottes, caselles, low walls, ruined houses) remind us that this now wild landscape was once domesticated.

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pascale.sartre

19 Jun 2017 at 00:35 7200

Yes, of course. The convent provides outstanding hospitality to pilgrims travelling to Santiago de Compostela. This activity is mentioned in point 10. The term 'ancient' refers more to the architecture than to the activity of the place. That said, thank you for your comment.

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Lo Reviscol

19 Jun 2017 at 22:52 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 19, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Vaylats is not a former convent but an active convent: a community of sisters (the Daughters of Jesus) that welcomes groups and pilgrims on the Way of St James

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Author

pascale.sartre
3 Walks

Visorando member

District: Limogne-en-Quercy (46260)

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