if you had to choose between...

[Kiwi-family]

Granon and Tosantos, which would you pick to stay at?

 

[whariwharangi]

Whichever was closest.

 

[shefollowsshells]

Both are so special...hands down I would not miss Grannon, though I know you are going with children and Tosantos had some very special traditions that I think they would not forget AND would not experience anywhere else.
I personally think, especially with kiddos that you can do both...I did It was my shortest walk of the trip and might not be justified but I think 100% of us in Tostantos that night had been in Grannon the night before.
I enjoyed the street of Grannon, I stayed in the parochial there BUT was lucky to chat with the owner of the auberge up the street who honestly could have been the welcoming mayor of this little town. I would not trade my Grannon night for anything.
Tostantos had one simple , VERY simple bar...it was probably my most lazy day in that really there was nothing around it (which was fine with me) BUT it did come with a tour of a church on the cliff, a precious meal around ONE table and a meeting up in the attic like structure of sharing stories and wishes etc...
Grannon too had the awesome meal and we all helped! Grannon was overflow when I was there and just kept welcoming the masses (loved this)...we almost sat in eachothers laps as we ate. We too got to go to a church service there AND they opened up a little section filled with religious art and stuff. We sang for our meal , I don't want to share too much as not knowing is fun

I might not have helped you much here BUT have done the full Frances and pretty much planning, like you, to do it with kiddos SO have revisited my trip in mind with that as consideration.

Buen Camino!
Neve

 

[Kiwi-family]

OK, both it is. I'll make sure it happens. Trying not to plan stopping places, but I'd been reading such nice things about both.....

 

[Anniesantiago]

I love Tosantos because they take you up to the Hermitage and let you see what's inside
But it would be a difficult decision.

 

[NoQ]

I stayed at Granon in the summer and it was very very special. If you haven't stayed there, it's a place to stay at and with a surprise late on. Lots of pilgrims in the albergue were talking about staying at Tosantos the next day so I thought I would too, but found the distance too short to stop and ended the day in Villafranca instead.

 

[mspath]

One of the many charms of the parochial albergue in Granon is that it is open EVERYDAY of the year; I have happily stayed and blogged about it nine times!
Tosantos, however, is closed from November to April.

The Forum Camino-Frances list of albergues cites further comments regarding Granon and Tosantos.

Margaret Meredith

 

[annakappa]

I would and have stayed at both. No matter that you will end up with a slightly shorter day. Both offer what I call the real Pilgrim experience! Anne

 

[wawpdx]

I have stayed at both, twice. Both are wonderful but I felt like a better knowledge of Spanish would have helped me enjoy Tosantos more.

If you must choose only one, I think Granon would always be a very clear, specific memory for your kids.

(Before you get quite that far, take time to see the chickens inside the church. That's another unique memory.)