Signs of Camino in Toulouse

[jgpryde]

Spending a couple days exploring Toulouse and I came across this yellow arrow very near the bus station. Camino or coincidence?




Today I visited the Musée d'Histoire de la Médecine. It is housed in Hótel-Dieu Saint-Jacques which, in the 13th century, was originally a major hospital for pilgrims coming from all over Europe towards Santiago. Thus, the sculpture of St. James over the main entrance.



My Camino keeps coming back to me.

B.C.

- jgp

 

[SYates]

Toulouse is on the Arles Route, that crosses into Spain over the Somport pass and is one of the four classical pilgrimage routes in France. Just keep walking and Buen Camino, SY

 

[Deleted member 3000]

There are yellow arrows marking the Via Tolosana, however they are few and far between. I needed a guidebook with detailed turn instructions to leave Toulouse, and even then became lost several times! Red and white balises also marked the route. I did get to see a lot of Toulouse suburbs while getting lost; very interesting.

 

[Felipe]

I lived in Toulouse some months, and loved it. Very charming place, with kind people and great food.
Some months ago I wrote A pilgrim's guide to Toulouse and put it in the "resources" section of the forum (it includes the link to detailed maps of the paths through the "Ville Rose"). Comments and amendments are welcomed.
As for signposts, they are of two kinds: the red and white GR strips, and the specific blue and yellow "stars" of the Saint James way, usually placed high, besides the urban signposts. Notice that they do not follow the same way into Toulouse.

I did not see yellow arrows, but I was walking quite distracted by the lovely "peniches" or houseboats in the Canal du Midi. And it was raining...
This is the option I recommend (the Canal, not the rain...)
There is an interesting note (in French) about the diversity of the "Chemin" signposting in France.

 

[jgpryde]

....
Some months ago I wrote A pilgrim's guide to Toulouse and put it in the "resources" section of the forum (it includes the link to detailed maps of the paths through the "Ville Rose"). Comments and amendments are welcomed.
As for signposts, they are of two kinds: the red and white GR strips, and the specific blue and yellow "stars" of the Saint James way, usually placed high, besides the urban signposts. Notice that both does not follow the same way into Toulouse.
....
There is an interesting note (in French) about the diversity of the "Chemin" signposting in France.

Felipe,

Wow, this is all really interesting information. I should have searched here before I arrived.

I'm off to Montpellier for a couple days now. Thanks for this reply just the same.

Best,

Jason

 

[Binya]

This post has me conjuring a Camino from Toulouse...conveniently on a train line...but why not begin in Arles (I ask myself!?) starts with a dream and desire.... bon Chemin

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I did not see yellow arrows, but I was walking quite distracted by the lovely "peniches" or houseboats in the Canal du Midi. And it was raining...

That route takes you around the airport to the north through Pibrac to Leguevin. It is very convoluted. There also is a more direct route marked south of the airport directly to Leguevin (also through Pibrac), but also convoluted in the residential neighborhoods to avoid restricted access highways. It is a VERY hard city to exit, and the route entry from the southeast bypasses the interesting parts of Toulouse as it heads for the Pont Neuf, so an overnight stay is necessary to see the historic sites. The subway to Pibrac would have avoided all of it, but I was not aware of that option at the time!

 

[Felipe]

. There also is a more direct route marked south of the airport directly to Leguevin (also through Pibrac), but also convoluted in the residential neighborhoods to avoid restricted access highways. It is a VERY hard city to exit, and the route entry from the southeast bypasses the interesting parts of Toulouse as it heads for the Pont Neuf, so an overnight stay is necessary to see the historic sites.

That's why you need an extra day in Toulouse
Yes, leaving the city is not a particularly pleasant walk; so, I included transportation options to Pibrac. Notice that it is not subte; it is a train stop. Pay attention, because it is not announced and the train gives you only a few moments to descent.
Actually, the train stops also in Brax-Leguevin, which is closer to Leguevin (and its albergue); I did not mention it because, well, it is not in the Camino proper.