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After approximately 225km of hiking GR65 Le Chemin de Saint Jacques de Compostelle, Le Puy-en-Velay to Saint Roch near Decazeville., I am returning back to Belgium due to circumstances at home and work which need my attention.
I am filled with gratitude for this forum and all the numerous...
Hi Batavia, the price of camping sites vary from around 6 euros to as much as 17 euros (1 person + 1 tent). I sure you may find some suitable places for free camping, but I can't say if it is frowned upon, but for a few euros you have a shower, a place to do laundry, toilet, water and peace of...
I am sure that you will be fine, there is usually someone who speaks English when you need them, and in the worst case there is always Google translate :-)
Bonne Chemin !
Hi ALZ, I am living in the French speaking region of Belgium for 3 years and I have also studied French for 2 semesters because it is so essential to where I live, nevertheless I still have a lot of difficulties understanding and following conversations in French. Many French people understand...
Hi Donna,
I have found that thus far there are campgrounds at reasonable hiking distances from each other. I am using Miam Miam Dodo (route guidebook) to help to locate them, but there are usually signs in the towns and villages, and I also use Google maps. Most campgrounds are also quite...
I had a great experience at the Gite Casa de Annie in Saint-Côme-d'Olt, a tiny Gite (max 10 persons) and fortunately for me she has place for a tent in her garden (the nearby camping was full). We had great food and conversation and Annie is a true Camino Pelerin - she has done many routes...
Hi ALZ, face masks are now mandatory whenever you enter a business in France. I have not stayed in any Gîtes but in campsites it's usually required to wear a mask inside the reception and sometimes in bathrooms although not really enforced or practical. There are lot's of Pilgrims, mostly French...
I have a thread - Spontaneous Camino - which has given me a lot of support and made me very grateful for this virtual community, but other than that I don't plan on blogging about my experience. I started off without any real idea what to expect, no planning and an overweight backpack, the first...
Hi Katia, I'm currently hiking the route from Le Puy and I am on my 10th day. I was not well prepared and my backpack was heavy partly because I am camping, but after sending home a parcel of 3kgs to lighten my load, my body is starting to get used to longer hikes, today I managed 27km from...
Yesterday I took a rest day in Aumont-Aubrac and whilst there I mailed about 3kg of none-essential things home, leaving my backpack 3kg lighter which plus feeling rested gave me the ability to hike all the way to Nasbinals today (about 27km) which was very satisfying.
Today turned into a really good day. I delayed my departure from Saugues fabulous camping site because I wanted to purchase some food items at the supermarket. I was a bit troubled because it was the warmest day so far and my progress was slower than usual, but in the end it turned out I had a...
Today's hike from Monistrol-d'Allier to Saugues was mostly up hill, although tiring the views are spectacular and worth all the effort.
My advice is something which I am learning, take the time needed, I am not in a hurry to get to any particular place. I am eager to breathe the fresh air, smell...
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