Starting the Camino in Lourdes April 2010

[Lucas05]

I plan to start at Lourdes in early April 2010 , and continue on to St Jean Pied de Port . Are there refugios/albergues in between ? Can I get a credential at Lourdes ? Many Thanks , Lucas.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

This site is good, but parts seem to be inoperative. Click on the yellow square for leg information:

http://www.aucoeurduchemin.org/spip/-Et ... ,569-.html

The leg out of Lourdes is not working, but the next one is. Try over the next few days, and the links may be restored.

 

[timr]

Hello Lucas
I walked from Lourdes through St JPDP last September. I am away from home at the moment and haven't got immediate access to information, but yes there are refugios along the way - not many but very nice and simple. I thought it was a wonderful and enjoyable 6 days to St Jean. VERY few walkers, just four or five of us who met up most evenings. Throughout the walking day never met anyone. Quite a shock to turn the corner for the final approach to St Jean and meet the crowds. Big crowds!! I used that website that was recommended:it has all you need, though I also had a French guidebook to the "Piedmot Route" which I abandoned in St Jean. I can probably find the details for you. The path is very well signposted but much more subtly than it is along the Camino Frances in Spain so you need to keep your eyes open!!
Yes you can get a credencial in the main information centre just inside the St Joseph gate inside the "domain" at Lourdes. I didn't get one myself, but I know they had them for either one or two euros and they were very friendly!
I will contact you when I get my old information
Buen Camino
Tim Redmond (from Liverpool. Currently in Berkeley California)

 

[KiwiNomad06]

Lucas,
Another useful site is this one: http://vppyr.free.fr/vpp-index-etapes.php3

It is in French, but if you click on etapes 18-22 on the sidebar, you will end up seeing maps of stages on the route from Lourdes to SJPP. There are also altitude charts, and some beautiful photos shown for each stage.
Margaret

 

[sillydoll]

I walked from Lourdes to Oloron St Marie before turning south to the Somport Pass.

From Lourdes we walked to Asson which has pilgrim accommodation: Accueil Saint Jacques, 3, rue des Pyrénées , Asson Tél : 05 5 71 04 83 Sleeps 4 Prix : 10 € / nuit - Best to phone and book ahead.

In Arudy we stayed with the wonderful parish priest PIERRE SALLENAVE: Accueil paroissial au Presbytère 2 rue Baulong, 64260 Arudy : Accommodation 8 persons + shower + kitchen + possibility of meals in advance: Email a reservation: pierrs@orange.fr

Oloron St Marie has pilgrim accommodation: Relais du Bastet, 12, place de la Résistance
Tel. 06 77 19 82 85 12,50 € per night 2€ for sheets. http://www.relaisdubastet.fr

 

[Lucas05]

Thanks so much , info is hard to get at times . I did my first Camino in 2000 from SJPDP , and saw Lourdes in '06 .
My journey will start with Easter Sunday Mass in St.Peters Rome then on to the South of France.I am so looking forward to combining the two , Camino + Lourdes , plus making the journey to Fatima after Santiago.
Thank you all for your info and support .
Buen Camino
Lucas .

 

[dutchpilgrim]

Hi Lucas
Alas, the way out of Lourdes is not that apropriate waymarked, nearby the Grotte, that is.
But it isn't hard to find either.
Just pass the Grotte, and keep on walking alongside the river.
You'll find a your first waymark in the woods after a few miles.

Ultreya,
Carli Di Bortolo

 

[sillydoll]

Carli, we missed the markers when we walked last year and only stopped 4km up the hill above Lourdes! It was very pretty but it made for a long first day!

When you exit the sanctuary - on the opposite end to the town - turn left up the hill, away from the river, but turn right at the Camping site. The path takes you through the camping and down to the river which you then follow.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Stay on the south side of the river.

http://vppyr.free.fr/vpp_cartes_google_ ... ?tem=gm18a

 

[sillydoll]

Falcon, I tried to find the two villages we walked to - Omex and Segus - on the map but I can't find them. Perhaps they were further than 4km from Lourdes.

 

[dutchpilgrim]

Yep,
quite a detour:
http://tinyurl.com/ycaazu8

Ultreya,
Carli Di Bortolo