Conques

Conques, a small medieval town hanging off the slope of a valley in the Aveyron region, is one of the most magical and spiritually intense stops on the Via Podiensis. Declared one of France's "Most Beautiful Villages", its isolation has allowed it to retain its medieval charm intact. For pilgrims, arriving at Conques, especially at sunset, is an unforgettable experience. Its main treasure is the Abbaye de Sainte-Foy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a masterpiece of Romanesque art. Its tympanum of the Last Judgment is one of the most important sculptural representations of the Middle Ages, a genuine stone catechism. Inside, relics of St. Foy are venerated, and the Conques Treasure has an incalculable value. The town, with no car traffic in its center, is a labyrinth of cobblestone streets and wooden-framed houses. The welcome at the pilgrim hostel, next to the abbey, is one of the most authentic experiences on the trail. It justifies the journey by itself.