Shell or GR marks...

[Katia Taam]

Hi everyone

Just 10 hours to go and I still have this terrible doubt... Do I follow the shell marks or the GR65 marks??

Thanks
Katia

 

[gavin01]

Follow the red and white GR65 signs - they're way more numerous. Not only do the horizontal bars mark the right way but the red and white crosses tell you which is the wrong way.

 

[gypsywind]

Follow the red and white GR65 signs - they're way more numerous. Not only do the horizontal bars mark the right way but the red and white crosses tell you which is the wrong way.

How so?

 

[Kitsambler]

How so?

The GR marking system, or balises in French, has three types of marks:
1) White bar over red bar: This is a GR route. Could be any route number. Pay particular attention where GR routes intersect, such as where the GR 6 comes in at Aubrac (or thereabouts).
2) White bar over red bar plus a directional arrow right or left: Turn coming up in the indicated direction. We will only notify you this once, so pay attention.
3) X formed by a red diagonal crossing a white diagonal: This ain't it, buddy.

So the process goes like this for every intersection:
Situation A
1) Route marking (about every km or so, more frequently in towns)
2) Turn coming up
3) Find the X - not that way. Find another X - not that way either. So it must be down here.
4) Route marking - yes, you chose the right exit from the intersection.

OR
Situation B:
1) Route marking
2) Intersection with no turn indicated - go straight through
3) Route marking


If you are not careful, and do not notice the "turn upcoming" mark, you will mistake Situation A for Situation B. It pays to watch the schematic map in Miam Miam Dodo.

Marking frequency is less than in Spain but much more than in German-speaking areas. Marks can by on rocks, trees, fenceposts, utility poles, reverse side of highway signs, houses, buildings, etc. There will be other, regional or local routes that use the same shapes but different colors.

 

[karenhypes]

Kitsambler and Gavin are dead on. Shells don't really appear with any frequency until you get closer to St. Jean Pied de Port. Dayton

 

[SusanReneGr65]

I've added some pics we took along the way to illustrate Kitsambler's description.

 

[El Greco]

Good day to you all!

@SusanReneGr65, just to clarify: I can see in the middle picture that there is the shell symbol sign indicating a right turn but the vertical line on the GR marking system is on the left. Is this how it works? When the vertical line is on the left, does it mean that there is an upcoming right turn?

 

[Kitsambler]

Good day to you all!

@SusanReneGr65, ...but the vertical line on the GR marking system is on the left. Is this how it works? When the vertical line is on the left, does it mean that there is an upcoming right turn?

Yes, but it is more helpful to think of the directional indicator as displaying your path of travel: you enter the intersection from the bottom, and you exit the intersection to the right. Voila! A right-turn!

 

[El Greco]

Yes, but it is more helpful to think of the directional indicator as displaying your path of travel: you enter the intersection from the bottom, and you exit the intersection to the right. Voila! A right-turn!

Thank you