Newbies and Provisions

[ecook2444]

My friend and I want to walk from le Puy through the CF next summer, but we are American and not completely familiar with the walking holidays common in Europe. I've done some serious backpacking in the States and am used to carrying every provision, but it seems that much more along the lines of food can bought day-to-day. How much are we expected to carry at a time, and how often can we resupply or simply eat in towns? Is water plentiful along the Camino? What are the greatest differences between travelling in France and then Spain? I have a million more questions, but I thought this would be a good start. I'm trying to determine the differences in hiking from town to town instead of uninterrupted wilderness and forest.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

No provisions are necessary, but shops close Sunday and Monday, so if you are self-catering, shop before Saturday evening. There is potable water everywhere.

The main differences between France and Spain are that there are fewer pilgrims in France, France is about 10E per day more expensive, the walk is with the French not necessarily the other pilgrims, there will be very little English spoken, and you need to call ahead for accommodations.

Bon chemin. (I prefer France to Spain, by the way.)

 

[Dave]

For what it's worth, I was able to find grocery stores open on both Sunday and Monday. Not always, of course, but I had a much easier time of purchasing food than I was anticipating.

Still, given the warnings offered by many on this board, it's probably wise to err on the side of caution. I was walking longer distances, so I hit a decent-sized town on most days. If I had been walking 20-25km and had bad luck with the Sunday/Monday closures, I could imagine being very unhappy! That said, given that most gites serve dinner and breakfast, it would be easy to minimize the damage (at slightly greater cost).

 

[Kitsambler]

There are significant differences between backpacking and pilgrimage walks:

• No need for a tent, sleeping pad, stove, fuel, extensive first aid kit, compass, or water treatment
• Smaller pack (35-45 L is usual)
• Less weight (7-9 kg total rather than 18kg+)
• Longer distances (10-15 miles/day rather than 5-10)
• Less elevation gain and lower average elevation (than say, mountains in the western US)
• Cell phone coverage generally available 24/7 and WiFi most nights (if not all)

You will be sleeping in hostels/gites or B&B/Chambre d'hotes every night. In France one uses a hostel sleep sack (thin silk), and blankets are available from the host if needed. Delicious hot French meals will be available every evening, either served family style in the gite or individually at the local bistro. Breakfast is an insipid affair of bread, jam/butter, and coffee. You will need to obtain supplies for self-catering lunch. Potable water is available at all lodgings, towns, and cemetaries.