F032 Way of St. James (Camino) Le Soulie-Conques

We set off after a filling breakfast, passing through several old villages, and meeting other pilgrims on the way whom we had met previously.  We continued in worsening weather across postural land with grazing buffalo , and on down sunken paths through chestnut groves in heavy rain, until we arrived at the impressive medieval town of Conques with its spectacular abbey complex. The village was deserted due to the rain and the fact it was not tourist season, and we felt that we had returned to the middle ages! The Abbey Church of Sainte-Foy in Conques was a popular stop for medieval pilgrims on the Camino, to visit the remains of Saint Faith ("Sainte-Foy"), a martyred young woman from the fourth century. We left our wet clothing at the entrance of the pilgrim accommodation, and enjoyed a hearty supper with quite a few other pilgrims, accompanied by a Friar playing the accordion! In the evening, we had even more of a treat in store - after Complain, the same Friar played the organ, including such hits as "The House of the Rising Sun". We could walk round the magnificent gallery at the top of the abbey and experience the sound of the organ reverberating around the building. After the music, he described the details of the Tympan above the main door of the Abbey, and then we went out into the rain to watch the light show as various parts were highlighted before being displayed in full colour.

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