The Compostela legacy is particularly enduring in the Midi-Pyrénées. Indeed, the region boasts 84 miles of pathways as well as 33 historic buildings (the whole of France having a total of 76), which are inscribed on the World Heritage List, and are major milestones along these routes. There are the abbey churches of Conques and Moissac, the Saint-Sernin basilica in Toulouse, the collegiate church of La Romieu as well as Cahors' Valentré Bridge, Gavarnie's church and the chapel of the Templar's in Aragnouet.


           

Three great routes to Santiago cross the territory of the Midi-Pyrenees, punctuated by landscaped and heritage sites, historic buildings, statuaries, gateways and symbolic objects arranged along footpaths.

 The "Via Podiensis"

The "Via Podiensis" beginning on the plateau of Aubrac in the Aveyron crosses the Lot, the Tarn, the Garonne and the Gers. Here are a few stopover sites not to be missed: Conques, a conservation area that has been miraculously preserved, housing the Romanesque abbey church of Sainte-Foy and its famous tympanum depicting the scene of the Last Judgement, which has remained intact since the 12th Century. Rocamadour, which has most probably been a sacred site since Prehistory, welcomes over a million visitors (tourists and pilgrims) every year. Saint-Pierre abbey in Moissac possesses the largest cloister in Europe to have historiated capitals.

 The "Via Tolosana"

The "Via Tolosana", the route of southern France follows the different areas of the Langue d'oc, enters the regions through Haut-Languedoc and the Lacaune Mountains, passing through the Toulouse area and the Gers. Auch and Castres are two other important stages for their hospitals and places of worship: Saint-Jacques' church and hospital in Castres and Sainte-Marie's cathedral in Auch. Toulouse, a major stop and great reliquary site along the southern route, has attracted millions of pilgrims. Along the river Garonne the town has retained the signs of the organization set up to receive the influx of pilgrims and of the necessary welcoming facilities such as the great "Hôtel-Dieu" hospital and Saint-Sernin, the Romanesque style basilica and masterpiece of Romanesque art.

 The route along the foothills of the Pyrenees crosses Saint-Lizier, whose church and Romanesque cloister have been inscribed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO as major milestones along the routes to Santiago de Compostela. The beautifully restored Escaladieu abbey is also well worth a visit.

 Before crossing over into Spain, pilgrims spend time in Lourdes, which has been famous since the Virgin Mary is first said to have appeared to Bernadette Soubirous.