French way (February 2024)

[Cosimo]

Hello everyone, my name is Mimmo and I'm an Italian living in England. I'm planning to embark on the French Way of El Camino in 2024, starting from Roncesvalles around 18th February.

I have a couple of questions that I hope someone can help me with. Firstly, where can I find the credential for the Camino? Should I get it in Pamplona?

Secondly, I'm concerned about accommodation. As it will be a quiet time of the year, some accommodation might be closed. Would it be hard to find a place to sleep during this time? Any insights would be appreciated.

Thank you

buen camino

 

[Bradypus]

The albergue in Roncesvalles can provide a credencial. February is a quiet time and most albergues are closed. But there are usually enough open for the number who walk then. You may have to walk longer stages than in summer. There is a frequently updated list of places open on the Frances in winter which is a great help.

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[Quietways]

Hi Cosimo - You'll have no probems at all. Many walk the Frances in Winter (these past few years about 12 - 20 pilgrims per stage) - and there are enough places to stay ; ) Buen Camino!

 

[Tandem Graham]

Hi Mimmo,
You can request a credential ahead of your trip, from https://www.csj.org.uk which is the English assocation for pilgrims to Santiago. If you join (I recommend, they have so much information and advice to share), the credential is posted to your UK address for free, otherwise it is £5.
Buen Camino!

 

[Sacramento79]

Hello Mimo and everyone!
Good day!!
I'm also going to do the CF starting around the same date.
But, why did you decide to start in Roncesvalles and not in SJDPDP?
I can gess that is because of the weather...

I wish you all a merry Christmas and buen camino!

 

[David Tallan]

Hello Mimo and everyone!
Good day!!
I'm also going to do the CF starting around the same date.
But, why did you decide to start in Roncesvalles and not in SJDPDP?
I can gess that is because of the weather...

I wish you all a merry Christmas and buen camino!

I can't speak for Mimo, but I can tell you why both my Caminos Frances started in Roncesvalles rather than SJPDP. The first was because, in 1989 living in Spain at the time, all the information I could find told me that the Camino de Santiago started in Roncesvalles. The second, in 2016, because I was repeating with my son the route I took in 1989. I will note that the "half way" monument just before Sahagun reinforces Roncesvalles as a starting point, as it marks half way from Roncesvalles.

Of course, anywhere that you travel to in order to start a Camino is an arbitrary point. Caminos stretch out in vast networks across Europe and wherever you start there are people that could have walked to that point, extending the route further. SJPDP is no less an arbitrary place to start the Frances. Personally, if I were to pick an "objective" starting point for the Camino Frances route, it wouldn't be SJPDP. It would be either Puente la Reina (where the four routes of the Codex Calixtinus converge, preceded by the Camino Aragones and the Camino Navarro) or Ostabat, about 20 km before SJPDP where the three routes from Paris, Velezay and Le Puy merge. If that 20 km isn't part of the Frances, how do you pick which of the other three routes to assign it to?

 

[Shriram]

Hello everyone, my name is Mimmo and I'm an Italian living in England. I'm planning to embark on the French Way of El Camino in 2024, starting from Roncesvalles around 18th February.

I have a couple of questions that I hope someone can help me with. Firstly, where can I find the credential for the Camino? Should I get it in Pamplona?

Secondly, I'm concerned about accommodation. As it will be a quiet time of the year, some accommodation might be closed. Would it be hard to find a place to sleep during this time? Any insights would be appreciated.

Thank you

buen camino

Hi
I am planning to start from Roncesvalles on Feb 14. My search for albergues led me to a site called stingy nomads. They have an extensive list of all the accommodations on the entire Camino with info on their being open or closed. There should be no problem me thinks.
Buen Camino
Shriram, Pune, India

 

[nycwalking]

In 2014, I started from SJPP February 4TH.

Each day ask the hospitalero what albergues are open for next few stops. Sometimes a website will state an albergue is open but it is closed.

It is quite cold out there.

Albergues may or may not have heat. Be prepared.

Buen camino.

 

[SFHiker]

Hi
I am planning to start from Roncesvalles on Feb 14. My search for albergues led me to a site called stingy nomads. They have an extensive list of all the accommodations on the entire Camino with info on their being open or closed. There should be no problem me thinks.
Buen Camino
Shriram, Pune, India

Hello! I've discovered that site as well. Very informative and has some great videos!