Chemin d'Arles

cecilie@thewolery said:

Hello,
I am thinking about walking from d'Arles towards Santiago in the beginning of August. Is that mad in terms of the heat? I am also wanting to bring my children aged 13 and 16. Can any one give me some top tips for just a few days walk on this part of the Camino? I would be very grateful!
I would like a guide book too...
I have walked parts of the Camino twice before, and am on a long journey which I hope will take many years to complete. This is the first time I have considered taking my children along.
Thank you for your help!
Cecilie

Click to expand...

Cecelie,

Be sure to check this Forum topic regarding the Arles route >> http://www.caminodesantiago.me/board/the-arles-route/. Noted there are two 2011 CSJ guidebooks for the route by Michael Gache , Arles to Toulouse and Toulouse to Puente la Reina See http://www.csj.org.uk/acatalog/The_...ides_to_the_Roads_through_France_22.html#arlA


Happy planning for both your long and short journeys!

Margaret Meredith

You will be going at the end of the peak season, so likely will meet very few other pilgrims. I walked several days in a row without encountering another pilgrims in September. French language skills will be very helpful. You may have to make phone calls to get the gites opened for you.

Bon chemin!

Walking in August on the chemin d'Arles, you should note first that this is the holiday season for the French, many of whom take hiking holidays on the GRs-- not many of them will be pilgrims. You might want to reserve at gites a few days ahead. Others have noted that French-language skills will be handy but you will find the French very hospitable toward US travellers.

As far as heat goes, I ran into some very hot days in early September in 2005, and you might want to gear your offspring toward hideously (for them) unspeakably early departures. Walking much in the afternoon could be challenging. The French-language GR guides will be your best help-- I understand that the Confraternity guides have been updated-- I found the earlier editions... mixed.

One useful French language source for the Arles route is that of the Amis du Chemin de Saint-Jacques de Compostelle Pyrenées Atlantiqués. Here is a link to their multi language bibliographic page for the Voie d'Arles >> http://www.aucoeurduchemin.org/spip/spip.php?rubrique41. Click any of the listing to get a full description in French. The two most recent guides (2012) which they cite are LABORDE-BALEN Louis, SIREJOL Jean-Pierre - Le Chemin d’Arles. 2012 and RETAIL Mireille - Miam Miam Dodo. La Voie d’Arles / Camino Aragonés. 2012.

Bon Chemin,

Margaret Meredith