GR36 route through France

[Dougie1982valley]

Hello. Does anybody have knowledge of the GR36 through France? I’m struggling with attaining much detail online in the form of blogs etc. Any help or advice is appreciated. Thank you. BC

 

[C clearly]

If you could give the start/end points or any major point, it would help us do some searches.

 

[Dougie1982valley]

Yes sure. It begins in Caen and winds through the french interior before finishing in Bourg-madam in the Pyrenees Orientale. It seems less trodden than other Randoneés and it is very appealing. I understand it’s quite a specific ask so any knowledge gleaned on here is great.

 

[lovingkindness]

Bonjour @Dougie1982valley

I have followed the GR 36 from Albi to Cirq Lapopie when on my way to Rocamadour in July, 2021. Like you, I found very little to guide me on the internet. I walked without a GPS or phone and relied on information copied from GR-infos and conversations along the way. Afterwards I put together a resource and posted it here on the forum (sign in to download) :

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/resources/france-walking-guide-pdf-albi-rocamadour-agen-moirax-condom-23-stages.829/

Later, in August the same year I continued along the GR 36 from Varbre (near Castres) and followed it most of the way to Bourg Madame. You will find attached to this reply a PDF with a few notes on this section. I am still working on it so don't be surprised if you find it needs editing . Included are the places where I slept, stages walked, and GEOPORTEIL maps pinpointing places where I was perplexed or had difficulty.

From Prades I followed parts of the Voie de Catalane for a few days before reconnecting on the last day with the GR 36. I had a conversation about this here:

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/chemin-de-compostelle-voie-catalane.71414/

The GR 36 has some magnificent moments. I hope you have excellent knees!

Cheers
Lovingkindness

...and a few postcards...

 

[Dougie1982valley]

@lovingkindness Thank you so much for this, it’s a real help. It looks like a really beguiling trail, so much history and beautiful scenery. I will digest this information keenly. I may trouble you again at some stage with additional questions if you don’t mind!

 

[lovingkindness]

You are welcome!

Attached below is a pdf published by Tourisme-Lot with information on walking the GR 36 from Laramière to Cahors (pages 28-31).

Other forum members have walked part of this section of the GR 36 on their way to Cahors. Here's a conversation:

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/walking-from-saint-cirq-lapopie-to-cahors.76240/

Cheers
Lovingkindness

 

[lovingkindness]

...and a little more info:

The GR 36 coincides with portions of Le Chemin de Mont Saint-Michel : for example, Chemin de Caen and several stages along Les Voie des Plantagenet. A google search will bring up guide books, lists of stages, and herbergement for pilgrims.

*The site gr-infos.com: portions of GR 36 which coincide with Le Chemin de Mont Saint-Michel Plantagenet

Allonnes (Maine-et-Loire) - Gourge (Deux-Sevres): https://www.gr-infos.com/gr36e.htm
Gourge - Chize (Deux-Sevres: https://www.gr-infos.com/gr36f.htm

ps @Vacajoe walked to Mont Saint-Michel (Ouistreham) in 2022. He shared it "Live" here:

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/chemin-du-mont-saint-michel-ouistreham.77307/#post-1076230