My Chemin de Compostelle--the Via Podiensis: Day 16 : Depart Conques for Paris

I haven't said much about the surprisingly tall 11th century romanesque church with its impressive tympanum of the last judgment, or the cloister. Once run by the Benedictines, in more recent years the lovely Abbey of Sainte Foy at Conques has been taken over by the Order of Canons Regular of Prémontré--an order of German origin, influenced by Augustine, that is both contemplative, and engaged in the world. I think there are currently 8 monks serving there. As for the Abbey, in comparison to gothic structures, it is relatively simple in design, but, as I said, the lofty interior ceiling is as high as any gothic one.

While certainly enjoying my time in Conques, I spent a fair amount of time brainstorming yesterday for a solution to my 60 Euro dilemma without finding a good alternative. I talked to the Tourist Office, the volunteers at the Abbey help desk, fellow walkers, etc. One thing was certain--I didn't feel like hitchhiking, and 60 Euros was practically the price of my bargain train ticket to Paris!

There have been a fair number of people wandering around Conques because it is the weekend. Carloads of German-speaking hikers in the morning, and at least one huge group of would-be Pilgrims staying in the guest rooms of the Sainte Foy Abbey's gîte tonight just for the experience. I felt like exhibit A.

Well miracle of miracles--my dilemma was finally solved! One busload of people, visiting Conques with their parish priest, and conveniently staying with me at the Ste. Foy Abbey's gîte, were going via Rodez, another train station just south my stop of St. Christophe. Rodez is on the same line as my stop, and I was able to leave with them, planning to pay a small supplement at the station for the slight change in itinerary. Even better, when we came to Marcillac--about midway to Rodez, the main route was blocked due to an outdoor market operating there in the middle of the road, and our driver had no option but to turn around and go by St. Christophe, some 5 kilometres away! The priest asked me if I preferred to stop there--a rhetorical question if I ever heard one! I was elated--they even dropped me at the little train station!

Since I was early, I took an earlier train to Brive La Gaillarde, where I had a change of trains, but eating possibilities were better as it was a much larger town and a major train hub