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Path faith footsteps saint robert:
The south of the Massif Central is striated by long hiking paths: the Abbaya chemin. However, the Via the armsthe Cistercian path, the Salt Route, the Clunisian Chemin, Le Chemin des Moniales, Le Chemin de Saint-Gilles, which highlight this territory and invite visitors to discover it on foot.
“It is in this context. Therefore, explain Sophie and Michel Couillaud (respectively co-president, with Catherine Slater, and honorary president of the association Les Chemins de l’Europe), that we started working, about twenty years ago, on a project that was important to us: to open a path aimed at making Robert de Turlande better known (1001-1067), founder of the famous abbey of the Chaise-Dieu (Haute-Loire). Moreover, The challenge was to define an itinerary which reconciles the old historical path with the constraints of the field. Furthermore, the possibilities of accommodation. Nevertheless, path faith footsteps saint robert This project has become reality. In addition, thanks to the European Network of Casadéan Sites, the Colportage Association and the Friends of Turland.
In the footsteps of Saint Robert – Path faith footsteps saint robert
“By following this path. Moreover, ” explains Bernard Quinsat, founder of the Colportage association, we discover the life of Robert who was well filled. For example, The starting point is the chapel of Turlande (Cantal), where the parents of the future saint lived. For example, In 1001. Similarly, it was during a trip that his mother put him into the world in the commune of La Chapelle-Laurent, on a site called from “Le Pont du Saint”. For example, »»
The bridge no longer exists, but this place, a green valley, is a haven of peace. Similarly, “As for the site of the Chapel of Turlande. Similarly, its cross planted on the rock, path faith footsteps saint robert above the meanders of La Truyère,” comments Anne Robbes, who has carried out many pilgrimage paths, he is surprising with harsh and austere beauty. I make the wish that many pilgrims come to discover it! It is not surprising that such a place of wild solitude is born an intense inner life. such as the Saint Robert lived, and encourages a choice of monacale life. »»
Indeed, in 1018, Robert entered the chapter of Saint Julien de Brioude. He became canon, then priest in 1026. But this life does not suit him. In 1040, he left in Italy to study the Benedictine rules (poverty and loneliness). It was in 1048 that he founded an abbey. and was dubbed by the bishop; Pope Leon IX gives him a privilege: the ” House of (House of God) was born! »»
In the following years. Robert de Turlande will contribute to a vast path faith footsteps saint robert revival of the church, which will cross the borders of Auvergne to extend to Italy, Switzerland, Flanders and Spain. Died in 1067, he will be canonized in 1070.
An inaugurated and blessed path
On April 24, 2025, for the feast of Saint Robert, the inauguration of this road took place. A hundred people were welcomed at the Chapel of Turlande by David Vital. mayor of Paulhenc, and Mgr Didier Noblot, bishop of Saint-Flour, who blessed the path and the pilgrims: “The march,” he said, it brings together! ” »»
Then, the walkers headed for Pierrefort, by stopping at the Cross of Paulhenc to listen to poems by Yves Rouquette. In Pierrefort, they attended a mass sung by the brothers of Saint-Jean from the Chaise-Dieu. Then they gathered around a country buffet before the inauguration ceremony. The day ended in Saint-Flour with path faith footsteps saint robert a conference on Saint Robert, by Brother François CassinGena-Trévedy.
But this rich program. entitled “Walking in the footsteps of the monks” and orchestrated by Bernard Quinsat, did not end with this founding day. Spiritual. cultural marches and manifestations have punctuated the following days, with two poetic-musical shows that will remain engraved in the memories: “The incessant walking”, at the church of Saint-Julien de Brioude, by the poet Christiane Keller, the Moine-Potte Gilles Baudry and the musician Marie-Virginie Cambriels; And, at the Chaise-Dieu, “the walker of the plateau”, by the awakening, a group of musicians, and Émile Sanchis, according to a text by brother François Cassingena-Trévedy.
“These days were great. ” comments Humbert Jacomet, heritage curator, very touched by the friendly and fraternal atmosphere of these privileged moments.
The relay goes to future pilgrims
This path, 160 kilometers long, can be carried path faith footsteps saint robert out in six or seven days. “Apart from Turlande. the Chaise-Dieu,” says Bernard Quinsat, the places that marked me are the old town of Saint-Flour and its remarkable Christ Roman, the Basilica of Brioude, the Allier valley and its painted churches, the Church of Lavaudieu and its cloister, the ruins of the medieval castle of Domeyrat, the murals of the church of Vals-le-Chastel. »»
A website is being manufactured. but that of the paths of Europe devotes several pages to the route; There are also, on a map, the possibilities of accommodation.
The route is almost entirely marked (except between Saint-Flour and Brioude), but it can already be traveled in its entirety. Several steps are organized by the association Les Chemins de l’Europe. The next one, which proposes to link Thérondels to Paulhenc (8 kilometers), will take place on Saturday August 9, 2025. For its part. CHAPportage will offer, on path faith footsteps saint robert Wednesday, September 24, 2025, a pilgrim walk in the company of Brother François Cassingena-Trévedy, connecting the sanctuary of Vassivière to the Col de la Croix Saint-Robert (Massif du Sancy). Two aperitif hikes that will make you want to discover this new path in its entirety!
Further reading: State of Valais and Verbier. No internal investigation – Direct Euro 2025: 3 victories and the group’s head for Norway – Switzerland is sentenced in the Semenya case – Here is what Switzerland must tax to slow down the premiums – “Rising problem”: Switzerland harshly struck by “Renard disease”.
