Thanks a lot for your feed back!
Well, yes, it is indeed particular over there - and the impression of strangeness never really left me - or perhaps a little more after Lourdes - but only partly, I agree...
France is a good deal more expensive than Spain, yes, but I think you can find alternatives: camping (very often quite cheap), private accomodation in houses of former pilgrims, or albergues. Yes, they still ask about 15€ and not 4 or 5 as in Spain... And life is more expensive as well...
Too much heat this year, yes, you are right - I myself thought on my very first walking day mid July (on the Arles way) that I would collapse and die...
Fortunately, none of us did - and it is great to hear that you enjoyed your journey!
And great news for all the future pilgrims on the road that they can stop at Arzens - things are changing...
Already now, I wish you the best for your next camino to come!