Curious... Lourdes to SJPdP to Santiago...

[JBSoakitup]

I depart in 5 weeks and am still figuring it out! Thinking a beginning in Lourdes might be a nice break in - has anyone does this or have any advice? I'll be solo and currently flying into Madrid but can adjust if flights are available as I'm using FF miles.
Thank you & Buen Camino to all!

 

[mark connolly]

Took a (cheap) Ryan Air flight from Madrid to Toulouse, then a train to Lourdes. Walked from Lourdes to SJPDP via Piemont Route. Here is some more info via this link.....

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/forums/the-piémont-route.53/

Good luck.

Mark

 

[JBSoakitup]

Thanks so much Mark!

 

[scruffy1]

You may find Lourdes to be a very sad place. Walking from Arles I side-tripped down to find many many handicapped people, injured people, the sick the infirm the mentally challenged, the not quite sane who came with their long suffering family members hoping to find succor + far too many tourist buses and guides and cameras and tourists not pilgrims + touts and beggars next to kiosks selling anatomical votive objects and everything possible illustrating Your Lady of Lourdes - scarves, silver spoons, ash-trays, lamps, tapestries, statuettes, umbrellas, and candles just to off the top of my head. I found it difficult to feel the spirituality which most certainly may be found there but my experience required three days walking alone to overcome. Consider well.

 

[JabbaPapa]

You may find Lourdes to be a very sad place. Walking from Arles I side-tripped down to find many many handicapped people, injured people, the sick the infirm the mentally challenged, the not quite sane who came hoping to find succor + far too many tourist buses and guides and cameras and tourists not pilgrims + touts and beggars next to kiosks selling anatomical votive objects and everything possible illustrating Your Lady of Lourdes - scarves, silver spoons, ash-trays, lamps, tapestries, statuettes, umbrellas, and candles just to off the top of my head. I found it difficult to feel the spirituality which most certainly may be found there but my experience required three days walking alone to overcome. Consider well.

It's a far better experience a second time, even on day 2 the first time, after one gets a handle on which parts of town to avoid.

The handicapped and the infirm are not troublesome at all though IMO, but it's the huge religious tourism zone in town with all its souvenir shops etc. that needs to be walked around and avoided.

The market area is quite nice, and the grotto, the green parklands, and the more sensible parts of town that the tourists only rarely visit.

 

[JabbaPapa]

I depart in 5 weeks and am still figuring it out! Thinking a beginning in Lourdes might be a nice break in - has anyone does this or have any advice? I'll be solo and currently flying into Madrid but can adjust if flights are available as I'm using FF miles.
Thank you & Buen Camino to all!

Starting at Lourdes is becoming increasingly popular, and it's a lovely hike, and indeed a very good break-in, including being very helpful to get a sense of what the Camino is without being distracted by hundreds of others.

Try and stay at the proper Santiago pilgrims Hostel, it's one of the best you'll ever find.

 

[scruffy1]

It's a far better experience a second time, even on day 2 the first time, after one gets a handle on which parts of town to avoid.

The handicapped and the infirm are not troublesome at all though IMO, but it's the huge religious tourism zone in town with all its souvenir shops etc. that needs to be walked around and avoided.

The market area is quite nice, and the grotto, the green parklands, and the more sensible parts of town that the tourists only rarely visit.

I have no problem with the handicapped etc, that's one of the principle reasons that the shrine exists - these is so much suffering, including the escorting families, while one may admire their faith it is difficult to witness.

 

[Deleted member 12253]

You may find Lourdes to be a very sad place. Walking from Arles I side-tripped down to find many many handicapped people, injured people, the sick the infirm the mentally challenged, the not quite sane who came with their long suffering family members hoping to find succor + far too many tourist buses and guides and cameras and tourists not pilgrims + touts and beggars next to kiosks selling anatomical votive objects and everything possible illustrating Your Lady of Lourdes - scarves, silver spoons, ash-trays, lamps, tapestries, statuettes, umbrellas, and candles just to off the top of my head. I found it difficult to feel the spirituality which most certainly may be found there but my experience required three days walking alone to overcome. Consider well.

I spend a week in lourdes every year for last 20 helping out with old - you and me in few years and sick. The smile on their face at the grotto my reward and i really love trekking to sjpdp afterwards buen camino keek trekking while you can

 

[JBSoakitup]

Starting at Lourdes is becoming increasingly popular, and it's a lovely hike, and indeed a very good break-in, including being very helpful to get a sense of what the Camino is without being distracted by hundreds of others.

Try and stay at the proper Santiago pilgrims Hostel, it's one of the best you'll ever find.

Jabba Pappa, do you have any advice on how to find the Santiago Pilgrim Hostels in the 7 probable stops from Lourdes to SJPdP? I'm having difficulty finding locales... Also a bit concerned about going all the way to Asson on the first day.. looking to stop in Lestelle Betharram and there are hotels and Airbnb's but cannot find Hostels specific for Pilgrims. Thank you

 

[Felipe]

JBSoakitup, look at this older thread. Includes my own recommendations.
Notice that some guides mention places that don't currently offer lodging anymore. And many places that used to be donativo ask currently for a (moderate) payment.

 

[JBSoakitup]

Thank you Felipe... unfortunately the thread doesn't seem to be working. Through further research I see that i need to look for 'gites' and I'm going to hope and pray that the tourist office in Lourdes will have some info.. I just know i'll be whipped from the jet lag and long commute to get to Lourdes so again, less to worry about on the first few nights would be a blessing. C'est la vie... the Camino will provide! (but a little prep work is good too! )

 

[Felipe]

Sorry, there is something weird with the link....
There is a Saint James (notice that it turns into "Saint Jacques" in France) bureau in Lourdes, Boulevard de la Grotte, 16. The guy in charge was happy to see a fellow "jacquet" and very helpful.
My personal lodging picks:
Betharram, at the monastery (the entry is not obvious, it is a narrow passage just facing the old stone bridge). Roomy, comfortable, private or communal dorms.
Arudy (one of my best experiences in my Caminos), parochial presbytery, rue Baulong 2, last round point before the church.
Oloron Sainte Marie: Relais du Bastet (attention, many guides don't have the phone or the persons in charge right, it is currently managed by an association). It is a medium city, there are many options and services.
Hôpital Saint Blaise, public. It is a minuscule village.
Monreal. Gîte municipal, 7 rue des Frères Barenne. Ask in the Tourism bureau or the city hall, main square. It is a little city; also some hostals and hotels.
Saint Just Ibarre, I stayed at a farm-albergue of Family Etcheberry, 1 km before the village. It does not appear in guides. I discovered this wonderful and warm place from a sign in the panel of albergue municipal of Monreal.
Also, there are other albergues in the village proper.
Saint Jean Pied de Port. Lots of options, as you know. I stayed in the parochial, the "Accueil Kaserna". Good feeling.

If you are looking for a moment of quiet spirituality in Lourdes, I recommend that you visit the parish, by main square. It is also dedicated to the miracle, in a sober and dignified way, and has very interesting sculptures.

 

[mark connolly]

Thank you Felipe... unfortunately the thread doesn't seem to be working. Through further research I see that i need to look for 'gites' and I'm going to hope and pray that the tourist office in Lourdes will have some info.. I just know i'll be whipped from the jet lag and long commute to get to Lourdes so again, less to worry about on the first few nights would be a blessing. C'est la vie... the Camino will provide! (but a little prep work is good too! )

@JBSoakitup. The info I received for the gites/alburgues was available from this forum on the vie piedmonte link, etc. As you had stated, the link maybe dead, and you can get the same info at the Chemin/Camino office in Lourdes. Their are 2 offices: one for the town of Lourdes itself and one for Chemin/Camino. If you manage to go to the tourist office in Lourdes, Just ask them for the Chemin/Camino office, which is nearby run by a gentleman named Jean-Paul. Here is the address for the Chemin/Camino office and for a gite that stayed at in Lourdes run by Jean-Pierre, which is donotivo. Both via attached photos.





Good Luck.

Mark

 

[JBSoakitup]

Merci!!

 

[JabbaPapa]

Thank you Felipe... unfortunately the thread doesn't seem to be working. Through further research I see that i need to look for 'gites' and I'm going to hope and pray that the tourist office in Lourdes will have some info.. I just know i'll be whipped from the jet lag and long commute to get to Lourdes so again, less to worry about on the first few nights would be a blessing. C'est la vie... the Camino will provide! (but a little prep work is good too! )

See Felipe's reccommendations.

Also, in Lourdes please look for information either at the Santiago Pilgrims Office there at 16 Boulevard de la Grotte, or the central Pilgrims office located on the main esplanade before the basilicas.

They will have little maps and more up-to-date info.

 

[JBSoakitup]

Thank you all! Feeling better about it all... now just hoping someone will be on the same route when it is time to hike into the woods which I understand are quite isolated... I can hear the song in my head already... "Lions and tigers and bears, Oh My!" mixed with some Hail Mary's!!

 

[catholicwalker]

Dear Jabba Pappa, Mark and Felipe,
Thank you soooo much for all your detailed information. I ,like JBSoakitup, am starting in Lourdes and hoping to meet up with some pilgrims walking from Lourdes to St.JpdP. As I will be arriving at 8:45pm Saturday, Sept. 28th, feel need to have my bed in order when I finally arrive after overnight flying from USA.
You can have given much helpful information. I walked 11-yrs ago and stayed at Betharram which was a comfortable walk from Lourdes so I was joyous to see it mentioned. Plus most of other spots mentioned.
My immediate concerns are: A) place to stay in Lourdes B) walking 'into the woods with Lions and tigers and bears, Oh my!" mixed with endless Hail Mary's !!!