Towards a dynamic Conques-Toulouse route
The general meeting of the Bas Rouergue association was held at the François-Marty institute in the presence of several elected officials and partners.
The association of Bas Rouergue met in general assembly. After citing the memory of Simone Anglade who worked so hard for La Via Podiensis, President Jean-Pierre Mangé paid tribute in image to Christophe Evrard: “An important player for heritage who made us aware in 2007 of a jewel in Villefranche , the chapel of Saint-Jacques. He was an alerter, a storyteller and an excellent lecturer.” Then there was a lot of talk about the Conques-Toulouse route. If 2021 was a blank year, some members were active. Stéphanie Cannata, manager of the Maison des Pélerins in Villeneuve, brought together hosts. A working group has been set up and the missions to be carried out defined.
The mayor elected treasurer of ACIR
This meeting made it possible to list the route on a site dedicated to the Chemins de St Jacques “santiagooo.com“. Many elements still remain to be provided. Jean-Sébastien Orcibal, mayor of Villefranche, has been elected treasurer of ACIR (Association for interregional cooperation on the roads of Santiago de Compostela). ” At the heart of the supervision, we will be able to be more efficient” he said, recalling “We are in the phase of urban revitalization and development of the center but also of the exteriors: greening of the roundabouts, removal of advertising equipment. Le Pélerin has been moved to the Francis Carco roundabout at the entrance to Place Fontange, a district which, when upgraded, will be a fort on the way to Saint-Jacques.
“For three years, nothing has happened”
Jean-Pierre Masbou, vice-president of the departmental council representing Arnaud Viala in this capacity, insisted loud and clear on the reactivation of the Conques-Toulouse road file. “For 3 years, nothing has happened! Of the 230 km of the Conques Toulouse route, 110 are in Aveyron. It takes riprap, markup, a lot of constraints… and money. This are the departmental councils that pay. We are all united in West Aveyron”, he declared before announcing a meeting on April 14 in Conques with the four departmental councils and the ADT (Departmental Tourism Agencies) concerned. “It’s all going in the right direction!” An opinion shared by Eric Cantournet, departmental councilor and Villefranche municipal councilor. “I would like to underline the work of the actors of the territory and the association. Everyone wants to go in the same direction. We are all attached to Conques-Toulouse, crossroads of heritage and the tourist economy.” Proposals also supported by Alain Andrieu, deputy for culture and heritage of Najac. “We want to bring our stone to the building with enthusiasm and determination!”