Know a good 2-week route in France?

[rsmith0000]

Hello, friends. I'm looking for a good route to walk in France, possibly on Vezalay or Le Puy routes. Unfortunately, it's going to have to be about two weeks long, give or take a few days, due to work demands. Does anyone have a suggestion of what section to walk? It will likely be in late September. I've walked in Spain but never in France and my walking companion is new to the whole Camino thing, so I especially want this to be an enjoyable introduction. Thanks for any suggestions or guidance!

 

[billmclaughlin]

Le Puy to Figeac would be my pick.

 

[anna klara klintegaard]

I love "The Cathar Way" in the south of France, from Port la Nouvelle to Foix. It is beautiful, remote and magical. You will walk from the Mediterranean sea through the foothills of the Pyrenees past the old and magical castles of the Cathars. I hiked it 3 times About 250 km in 12 days.
Alan Mattingly wrote a brilliant guidebook:
http://www.cicerone.co.uk/product/detail.cfm/book/486/title/the-cathar-way#.V1vGIlJf01I
This is the official homepage:
http://www.lesentiercathare.com/

 

[Bradypus]

Not an answer to your question but a suggestion. If you like the sound of any of the routes which are mentioned here or fancy making up your own the French government mapping agency has an excellent website with high-detail topographic maps which show the waymarked GR routes and other long/medium distance footpaths. Might be helpful to give yourself some impression of the landscape you would be passing through:
http://www.geoportail.gouv.fr/accueil or the smartphone version m.geoportail.fr

 

[mspath]

Another suggestion is to check out the wealth of information available in French on the web of the FFrp site re Les Chemins de Saint Jacques.

Happy research and Bon chemin!

 

[mla1]

And - also not a 'camino' but an old pilgrimage route: the Chemin de St. Giles, from Le Puy straight south to the Mediterranean. About 11 or 12 days. It is more or less the same route as the GR 700, the Regordane Way.
The GR is more beautiful, while the Chemin is more historically accurate (which means it is often close to roads). Very very nice walk. There are gîtes and small pensions. Excellent food. Walking is not too too hard.
http://www.gr700-regordane.com/way.htm

 

[rsmith0000]

What wonderful suggestions! Thanks to each of you. I'll research these routes and talk to my friend. Truly appreciate your guidance!

 

[SYates]

Some years ago I walked with my husband from Pau, in France, to Puente la Reina. Both parts, the Arles route in France and the Camino Aragones in Spain have a good pilgrim infrastructure without being crowded. Pau has an airport that many budget airlines fly to and it is easy to get from Puente la Reina to Pamplona and from there to wherever you fly home from. Buen Camino, SY

 

[rsmith0000]

I appreciate the suggestion. I've seen references to the Arles and Aragones routes but had no idea they connected. I'll check it out. One question: do you know what the total distance would be? Thanks so much, SYates.

 

[SYates]

I am not at home just now, so don't have my notes with me, rough guesstimate ~200km? Have a look here http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es/los-caminos-de-santiago/frances/ for the Aragones (marked with 'por Somport') and here http://chemindarles.free.fr/carte_EN.php for the French part.
Bon Chemin, SY

 

[Rooman Holiday]

I walked Le Puy to Pamplona in 3 x 12 days .. each was magical and had many natural and architectural highlights .. Le Puy to Figeac .. Figeac to Condom and Condom to Pamplona .. you can't go wrong!
I'm watching this post for 2 week walk suggestions on Vezelay in Sept 17.

 

[Kanga]

I second Le Puy to Figeac. Glorious.