St. Palais

[juliecarteraz]

Hi: My partner, Will, and I are walking the Camino Frances starting in mid-April. I have been browsing the forum's earlier threads from 2009 and 2010. A few forum members suggested starting the pilgrimage to Santiago from St. Palais on the Vezelay route. Will and I have ten weeks to walk, so I was intrigued by this suggestion to another first-time pilgrim. I have read the threads on the Vezelay route, and it appears that a guide in English is not available. I do not speak French or German so those guides aren't helpful. I have been trying to learn Spanish. Does anyone know if a Spanish guide is available? Also, does anyone have a recommendation on transportation from Paris (CDG) to St. Palais? One final question, does anyone have a link for a Vezelay route map? Thank you for any information or suggestions you can offer!

Julie

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Try this link for the Vezelay route. You can get the overlay on several different map bases.

http://maps.peterrobins.co.uk/f/overview/limoges.html

You can print sections on a color printer.

 

[Metropolly]

It's a great idea to start at St Palais. I walked to St Palais as a detour on the route from Le Puy several years ago. Unfortunately, in a spring-cleaning frenzy, I seem to have thrown out all the guides I used on that route - but I'd be surprised if you didn't find the detour described in an English-language Le Puy route guide. Have a look at the CSJ.org.uk online bookshop.

As for trains from Paris, you can go to Bayonne and take the bus to St Palais (1hr 5mins). Buses leave Mon-Fri at 6.45am and 1.30pm, 10.30am on Saturdays only, and 6.40pm Monday to Saturday. There don't seem to be any buses on Sunday. Bayonne is a lovely town and you wouldn't regret spending a night there. Accommodation is plentiful - I stayed at the hotel right next to the station, didn't have to book and it was nice and friendly. That was about 7 years ago, though, so it may have changed.

For trains, see Raileurope website or Seat61.com
Also see: http://www.saintpalais-basquecountry.co ... nt-palais/

Bon chemin!

 

[Metropolly]

I should have added that buses leave from Bayonne train station.

And a direct train from Paris Montparnasse to Bayonne takes just over 5 hours

 

[Metropolly]

Correction: these are the bus times from Bayonne station:

06:50 (Mon-Fri); 10:50 (Sat only); 13:35 (Mon-Fri); 18:45 (Mon-Sat)

 

[sillydoll]

Saint Palais is on the Via Turonensis route from Paris as well.

You will find more info on the Turonensis websites. Just googe Voie de Tours or Via Turonensis.

 

[juliecarteraz]

Thanks for all the help everyone! Digging in to figure out what I can learn about the route. I really appreciate the links and transportation info. You all are just the best! Julie