Before settling in for the Moissac stage, there's the question of getting there. Whether travellers arrive by train, bus, car, or on foot straight from Lauzerte, here are the main access options and a few landmarks for placing Moissac on the GR65, the French stretch of the Camino known as the via Podiensis.
Getting to Moissac by train
Moissac has its own railway station, served by regional (TER) trains running on the line between Toulouse and Bordeaux via Montauban and Castelsarrasin. Montauban, about twenty minutes away by train, is the most convenient rail hub for anyone arriving from Toulouse, Paris or elsewhere in France with a TGV connection. Since timetables and connections change from one season to the next, it's worth double-checking journeys on the SNCF website before booking, especially outside peak season when services can run less frequently.
By bus
Regional and local bus lines fill in the gaps left by the rail network, connecting Moissac with nearby towns that don't have their own station. These lines are particularly useful for pilgrims arranging a transition stage or backtracking after a longer day than planned. Exact timetables and stops are best checked with the Moissac tourist office or the Occitanie region's transport website, since services can vary by season and day of the week.
By car
Moissac sits close to the A62 motorway, which links Bordeaux and Toulouse; the exit signposted for Castelsarrasin and Moissac puts the town just a few minutes away. For pilgrims leaving a car behind for several days while they walk, a handful of car parks exist in the town centre and near the quay along the canal; it's worth checking the rules on long-stay parking before setting off, as they can differ from one car park to the next.
Where the GR65 enters and leaves town
Coming from the north-east, walkers usually reach Moissac after the stage from Lauzerte, crossing the chalky hills of the Quercy blanc before dropping down into the Tarn valley and the historic centre near the Saint-Pierre abbey. Heading west again, the GR65 markers lead pilgrims across the pont-canal du Cacor, a canal bridge spanning the Tarn above the Canal latéral à la Garonne, before following the towpath towards Auvillar. For many walkers, this striking canal crossing marks the symbolic exit from Moissac and the start of the next stretch of the Camino.
Planning the arrival
Whichever way travellers choose to get there, building in a bit of extra time on arrival makes it easier to enjoy the town centre, the abbey and its cloister without rushing for a tight train or bus connection. The home page links to further background on the Moissac stage, and the visiting Moissac page rounds out the practical side of a well-timed arrival.
In brief
- Moissac has its own TER station on the Toulouse–Bordeaux line via Montauban.
- Regional buses fill in the gaps; check timetables locally, especially off-season.
- By car, the town is reached from the A62, exit Castelsarrasin/Moissac.
- The GR65 arrives from Lauzerte and leaves towards Auvillar via the pont-canal du Cacor.
- Build in extra time on arrival to visit the abbey without rushing for a connection.