LIVE from the Camino Via Turonensis - Camino del Norte - Camino Primitivo 2021

[Signy33]

Hi all,
I've been on the Camino since the 7th of may.
I started in Tours on the via Turonensis and arrived in Saint Jean Pied de Port on the 5th of june. I took then the GR 10 to Hendaye.
Tomorrow I hope to cross to Irun on the Camino del Norte, and then to continue to Santiago via the Camino Primitivo.
I hope to see some of you on the way...

 

[gns]

Buen Camino

It would be great to know more about the practicalities of the via Turonensis. Where did you stay and how did you navigate?

 

[Signy33]

I used the Lepère guide. I stayed mostly in "haltes jacquaires" (about 2/3 were open), a few nights in my tent (in a camping or i just asked people if I could put it up in their garden) and a few nights in "accueil pèlerins" (1/2 pension in people's home).
I didn't have any trouble navigating as it is a well marked trail.
I can answer more specific questions.

 

[gns]

I used the Lepère guide. I stayed mostly in "haltes jacquaires" (about 2/3 were open), a few nights in my tent (in a camping or i just asked people if I could put it up in their garden) and a few nights in "accueil pèlerins" (1/2 pension in people's home).
I didn't have any trouble navigating as it is a well marked trail.
I can answer more specific questions.

Thanks. I have found the Lepere website. https://www.chemin-compostelle.fr/boutique/france/chemin-tours.

It would be useful to know:

1. Apart from Bordeaux, Chartres and Tours, is there anywhere you would recommend for a rest day?
2. Is the walking mainly on tarmac or on on footpaths?
3. Are the "haltes jacquaires" part of an organisation and do you need a credential to stay there?
4. What is the longest stage that a walker can't avoid (i e maximum distance with no place to stay
5. How scenic is the route and are you within sound range of traffic much of the time?

Regards

 

[Signy33]

1/ I didn't take the Chartres route but the Orléans one. Orléans was lovely. I also spent a day in Poitiers.
2/ a mix of tarmac and footpath. The Lepère guide takes a few shortcuts with a bit more tarmac than the GR 655.
3/ haltes jacquaires are either maintained by the municipality/local parish or pilgrim association. Most require a credential.
4/ No idea. I had some difficulties between Mirambeau and Lamarque (+/- 37km, i cut it in two with my tent) but depending on budget there might be a few more expensive options. I all else fails just ask people for a place to stay (i met several pilgrims who did it and always managed to find a roof). My longest day was 36km, but I chose not to stop in between.
5/ Nothing extraordinary, but I enjoyed it. Some stretches are a bit monotonous (fields, pine forest).
The path tries to avoid traffic whenever possible, so not so much traffic noise.

 

[gns]

Thanks. I hope to do this in the not too distant future and it is good to get a fuller picture.

 

[Pilger Franz]

1/ I didn't take the Chartres route but the Orléans one. Orléans was lovely. I also spent a day in Poitiers.
2/ a mix of tarmac and footpath. The Lepère guide takes a few shortcuts with a bit more tarmac than the GR 655.
3/ haltes jacquaires are either maintained by the municipality/local parish or pilgrim association. Most require a credential.
4/ No idea. I had some difficulties between Mirambeau and Lamarque (+/- 37km, i cut it in two with my tent) but depending on budget there might be a few more expensive options. I all else fails just ask people for a place to stay (i met several pilgrims who did it and always managed to find a roof). My longest day was 36km, but I chose not to stop in between.
5/ Nothing extraordinary, but I enjoyed it. Some stretches are a bit monotonous (fields, pine forest).
The path tries to avoid traffic whenever possible, so not so much traffic noise.

Thank you, seems very useful (could be next year).
BC
Franz