In the year 813 a hermit called Pelasge, informed by supernatural lights, discovers Saint James's grave. This discovery embarks on Compostelle route masses of pilgrims from the Xth century, before Jacques de Voragine codified it in XIIIth century, under name of " Golden legend of Compostelle". Pilgrimage got organized around 4 main ways described by Aimeri Picaud in his "Guide of the pilgrim" in XIIth century: the "via turonensis" (which beginner to St Martin in Tours), the "via lemovicensis" (to Ste Marie-Madeleine in Vezelay), the "via podensis" (to Notre-Dame in Le Puy) and the "via tolosana or egidiana" (to St Gilles near Arles)

the bell for lost men

la Via Podensis From the Xth century, pilgrims who started from Le Puy in Velay had to face dangers in Margeride and Aubrac mountains before reaching the Lot river valley in St Côme on Olt. This crossing was secure in XIIth century with establishment of Aubrac monastery. The soldiers-monks escorted pilgrims and the "bell for lost men" rang during several hours, in foggy weather, to call mislaid pilgrims.

ruines of Aubrac abbey (drawing by Sabathier 1833)