Elsabe Beard
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Via Podiensis (Sept 2014)
Via Gebennensis (May 2016)
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May is springtime, and so the weather can be quite variable: the possibility of some rain perhaps mixed with late snow, as well as some fine days and a few hot ones. Dress in layers and be prepared for wet and mud. That section is not heavily walked at any time of year, so I would think May would be lightly populated.
Your issue will be finding lodging. I suggest you get the guide from the Amis upon landing in Geneva, and get a tourism office to book your reservations several days out.
There's a current discussion on weather, gear, and holidays for the route from Le Puy in May, which has similar elevation. https://www.caminodesantiDago.me/community/threads/lepuy-weather-gear-for-may.38950/#post-388073
We walked that route in spring of 2012 and 2013. It was a wonderful trip, weather sometimes very hot 103F. Mostly great, a few days with rain. For accomodations the Amis yellow guide was essential. Most of the accommodations were rooms in private homes including food, often donativo, and it was necessary to call a day in advance to arrange. We got our yellow guide from the Confraternity of St. James. I see now they are out of stock. The guide is in German and French, but quite usable even if you speak neither. You could contact the Amis association. http://www.amis-st-jacques.org/page_daccueil.php
In France, I would always vote for boots. The French build their footpaths straight up the hillside (no switchbacks), so the water comes straight down, making a streambed. Like most streambeds, the paths can be quite rough and stony in dry weather, not to mention muddy (if not torrential) in wet weather.hiking shoes or hiking boots?
I see this experience quite a bit. Personally I don't understand it - but I respect that it worked for you.We both used running shoes and were quite happy with them.
We walked that route in spring of 2012 and 2013. It was a wonderful trip, weather sometimes very hot 103F. Mostly great, a few days with rain. For accomodations the Amis yellow guide was essential. Most of the accommodations were rooms in private homes including food, often donativo, and it was necessary to call a day in advance to arrange. We got our yellow guide from the Confraternity of St. James. I see now they are out of stock. The guide is in German and French, but quite usable even if you speak neither. You could contact the Amis association. http://www.amis-st-jacques.org/page_daccueil.php
My understanding of 'donativo' is that one should pay the going rate, if one is able. For a demi-pension gite, that would be in the EUR 35-40 range. For lodging without the meals, probably EUR 20-25. I haven't had any personal experience with this, however, so I look forward to reading the input of those who have.Accommodation question: Accueil jacquaire - the accommodation in private homes - how much does one normally give as "donativo"?
Hi Elsabee we are walking the same route starting on the 5th June 2016. I would be so keen to hear anything you care to share of your walk. Where to stay. How difficult each leg was etc. best Johnny (Cape Town)I'm arriving in Geneva on 13 May 2016 to begin my walk to Le Puy en Velay. I'm coming from South Africa and need some advise about the weather conditions in Geneva and France at that time of the year. Can I expect rain, sun etc. Also tips about good accommodation will be most welcome. Do a lot of people walk this route at this time of the year?
In Sept/Oct 2014 I walked from Le Puy to Pamplona, had beautiful weather.
Thanks
Elsabe
Hi Elsabee we are walking the same route starting on the 5th June 2016. I would be so keen to hear anything you care to share of your walk. Where to stay. How difficult each leg was etc. best Johnny (Cape Town)
Bon chemin! I'll be walking this section next year, so I really look forward to hearing your reports.I will try to put information on the forum as I go.
Hi Elsabe, keep posting if you can. Would love to walk this route one day. I will catch up with your info in a couple of weeks. (Going offline tomorrow, as I am hiking the Fish River Canyon). Jill (in Sabie, Mpumalanga).
Hi Elsabe, keep posting if you can. Would love to walk this route one day. I will catch up with your info in a couple of weeks. (Going offline tomorrow, as I am hiking the Fish River Canyon). Jill (in Sabie, Mpumalanga).
Information so far:
Yellow guide of L'Association Rhone-Alpes design Amis de Saint Jacqueline is very good. It gives you distances, topography, addresses for accommodation.
You can buy it in Geneva, there's a Librairie (book shop) over bridge towards the old town that sells the guides.
When it says no refreshments on route make sure you take snacks with you. Nothing between Beaumont and Chaumont.
We stayed at Gite Etape Rustique in Chaumont, very "rustique" from outside but very comfortable inside. One bunk room where everyone sleep. Food can be provided, all for 25€. Don't be put off by outside look.
Seyssel: Camping at Anant Matraz. Stay in little cute chalet, 15€. Carrefour across the road where you can buy food.
Chanaz: Lovely town next to canal Savierre. Gite El Camino, very comfortable.
Yenne: Gite Le Comte Vert. Self catering. Excellent! As you leave town, over bridge, turn right and go over steel bridge. Then the first house on your right. It's a bit further from town. Lovely hosts. They were prepared to take us to Carrefour (which is on the other side of town) to buy food.
No food or coffee on the next day. Be prepared.
Yenne: The walk from Yenne is tough when you choose the high road but beautiful. Lovely views, lower road is next to river.
Les Abrets: I suggest you walk about 3km past Keswick Abrets to Charancieu and stay with Alain and Florentine at Le Juvenin. Worth every cent of the 40€! Food great, very hospitable people. They use money they make for a charity project in Madagascar.
La Cote-Saint-Andre: Chambre d'hote - Les Arts ont la cote, 40€. Lovely place, good food. Lovely hostess. Glad I stayed there.
A few tough uphills so far! Be prepared for some tiring stretches but the scenery is lovely.
Hi ElsabeInformation so far:
Yellow guide of L'Association Rhone-Alpes design Amis de Saint Jacqueline is very good. It gives you distances, topography, addresses for accommodation.
You can buy it in Geneva, there's a Librairie (book shop) over bridge towards the old town that sells the guides.
When it says no refreshments on route make sure you take snacks with you. Nothing between Beaumont and Chaumont.
We stayed at Gite Etape Rustique in Chaumont, very "rustique" from outside but very comfortable inside. One bunk room where everyone sleep. Food can be provided, all for 25€. Don't be put off by outside look.
Seyssel: Camping at Anant Matraz. Stay in little cute chalet, 15€. Carrefour across the road where you can buy food.
Chanaz: Lovely town next to canal Savierre. Gite El Camino, very comfortable.
Yenne: Gite Le Comte Vert. Self catering. Excellent! As you leave town, over bridge, turn right and go over steel bridge. Then the first house on your right. It's a bit further from town. Lovely hosts. They were prepared to take us to Carrefour (which is on the other side of town) to buy food.
No food or coffee on the next day. Be prepared.
Yenne: The walk from Yenne is tough when you choose the high road but beautiful. Lovely views, lower road is next to river.
Les Abrets: I suggest you walk about 3km past Keswick Abrets to Charancieu and stay with Alain and Florentine at Le Juvenin. Worth every cent of the 40€! Food great, very hospitable people. They use money they make for a charity project in Madagascar.
La Cote-Saint-Andre: Chambre d'hote - Les Arts ont la cote, 40€. Lovely place, good food. Lovely hostess. Glad I stayed there.
A few tough uphills so far! Be prepared for some tiring stretches but the scenery is lovely.
Hi Elsabe
Your trip sounds so awesome. Do post more as you go. We are still due to start on 5th June.
Tell me a little more about the route on the first day out of Geneva. Did you do 13,5k or 20k? Were the tough hills there already?
Bon Chemin
Johnny
Information so far:
Hi Elsabe! Great to hear recent news about this route!
Intend to start next week around June 28th!
If possible i will apreciate your help on a few questions.
Did you get the credential for the Gebennensis route? The
THe Bookshop name if possible!
Regards
Celio
Yellow guide of L'Association Rhone-Alpes design Amis de Saint Jacqueline is very good. It gives you distances, topography, addresses for accommodation.
You can buy it in Geneva, there's a Librairie (book shop) over bridge towards the old town that sells the guides.
When it says no refreshments on route make sure you take snacks with you. Nothing between Beaumont and Chaumont.
We stayed at Gite Etape Rustique in Chaumont, very "rustique" from outside but very comfortable inside. One bunk room where everyone sleep. Food can be provided, all for 25€. Don't be put off by outside look.
Seyssel: Camping at Anant Matraz. Stay in little cute chalet, 15€. Carrefour across the road where you can buy food.
Chanaz: Lovely town next to canal Savierre. Gite El Camino, very comfortable.
Yenne: Gite Le Comte Vert. Self catering. Excellent! As you leave town, over bridge, turn right and go over steel bridge. Then the first house on your right. It's a bit further from town. Lovely hosts. They were prepared to take us to Carrefour (which is on the other side of town) to buy food.
No food or coffee on the next day. Be prepared.
Yenne: The walk from Yenne is tough when you choose the high road but beautiful. Lovely views, lower road is next to river.
Les Abrets: I suggest you walk about 3km past Keswick Abrets to Charancieu and stay with Alain and Florentine at Le Juvenin. Worth every cent of the 40€! Food great, very hospitable people. They use money they make for a charity project in Madagascar.
La Cote-Saint-Andre: Chambre d'hote - Les Arts ont la cote, 40€. Lovely place, good food. Lovely hostess. Glad I stayed there.
A few tough uphills so far! Be prepared for some tiring stretches but the scenery is lovely.
HiHi Celio, I don't know where you get the Credential in Geneva, I got the Credential here in South Africa. I am sure if your Google it you will find out where to get it.
Hi Elsabe thanks for your answer! One more question please?
Did you follow the GR65 route presented at the guide?
For others looking for information! Found the GR65 guite at FNAC at Rue de Rive - Geneva! Chf 23,60!
Buen camino to all!! God speed!!
I also don't know what the name of the bookshop is, I walked towards the old town and found it. Ask for the "Libraire" (that is bookseller in French, not a library
Enjoy your walk, it is beautiful!
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