Tours to St Jean PDP via Bordeaux

[Gali-gali]

My family and I are walking from Tours to SJPP via Bordeaux in June 2017.
Does anyone have highlights to suggest we include?

 

[FLEUR]

Saintes and Pons in Charente Maritime (17) and the citadel at Blaye in the Gironde (33).

 

[Gali-gali]

Thanks Fleur
We did the walk from Le Puy a few years ago which was very difficult but understand this is easier as it's quite flat.
What were the main challenges?
I haven't been able to find much info or forum on this route

 

[jsalt]

We did the walk from Le Puy a few years ago which was very difficult but understand this is easier as it's quite flat.

Hi, if you want really flat, some great beaches for swimming, lovely lakeside vistas, etc, you could try a few days on the Voie Littorale between Bordeaux and Bayonne.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/bordeaux-to-ir%C3%BAn-on-the-voie-littorale-to-connect-with-the-norte.44436/

Jill

 

[FLEUR]

Jill gives some great advice for the Littoral which I have yet to walk.

Before Bordeaux I've walked Saintes to Blaye, which is well signed, mainly through countryside with vineyards and fairly level. Small towns where accommodation should be possible but it will mainly be in pensions rather than pilgrim hostels. Now with Air BnB there could be more options. From Blaye you take a ferry to cross the Gironde estuary . Alternatively you can walk to Bordeaux via St Andre de Cubzac.
The French Basque country is hilly but has some great landscape. P.M. me for details especially for Saintes and Pons as I live near there for part of the year.

 

[FLEUR]

An old building is being restored as a shelter for pilgrims. It's at St Legér a vllage on the St Jacques de Compostelle route between Saintes and Pons in the Charente-Maritime department 17. According to the local newspaper it is due to open on March 1st.