Tence › Beaux

📈 Elevation Profile

🗺️ Stage Map

📖 Stage Description

From Tence, the path climbs toward the Velay plateau, this volcanic high plateau characteristic of Haute-Loire. The landscape opens onto endless expanses of meadows and moorland dotted with basalt rocks. On clear days, the first views of the Mezénc massif and the Velay hills unfold before pilgrims.

The stage passes through several typical plateau villages: dark basalt houses, sturdy Romanesque churches standing against the winds, stone fountains. The atmosphere changes radically here — Haute-Loire with its vast open spaces above 1,000 m is a world of its own, almost alpine in its climate.

Beaux is a quiet hamlet on the plateau. A pilgrim hostel welcomes walkers just a few kilometres from the end of the route. From there, the following morning, the descent toward Le Puy-en-Velay promises an exceptional moment with the view over the cathedral.

🌄 Walking Conditions

☀ Sun Exposure

👞 Terrain

⏱️ Estimated Time for You

📍 Villages and Waypoints

• 0km

  Tence · 840 m · Start

  Town with all shops, hostels, pharmacy.

  💧 Water🛒 Shops🏕 Hostel
• 9km

  Plateau high point · ~1 100 m

  Open plateau, possible strong winds, panoramic view.

  💧 No water
• 17,8km

  Beaux · 920 m · End

  Plateau hamlet. Pilgrim hostel, fountain.

  💧 Water🏕 Hostel

⚠️ Practical Information

• 🌝
  Wind-exposed plateau

  The Velay plateau above 1,000 m can be very windy — bring a windproof jacket even in summer.
• 💧
  Water points

  Tence (km 0) · Beaux (km 17.8). Few resources on the plateau — carry 1.5 L.
• 🌟
  Penultimate stage

  After Beaux, only one stage remains to Le Puy-en-Velay. Use the evening to prepare for arrival.