I agree with Helen 1 wholeheartedly. As we know "The best-laid plans of mice and men oft go awry". for sure it is way more solitary. If like me, you have no command of French beyond Bon Jour it is challenging. I walked the whole whole camino and I doubt if I met more than 4 or 5 people who spoke even rudimentary English. I can get by with Spanish pretty well but it came in handy only once or twice. Having said that I survived quite nicely. Met some wonderful pilgrims and gite owners. Ate food that would make 90% of the meals I had in Spanish restaurants (mind you I am a budget pilgrim) seem like dining at a fast food restaurant. The scenery is wonderful. Mostly retired French people walking in small groups, some Germans. I never met another American. I do not think there is any such thing as a camino family in France. You usually do not see the same people for more than a couple of days in a Gite. It is different for sure but wonderful. If you can do it you will love it.