Where to go in France - May/June

[jirit]

Seeking some suggestions and/or advice

My wife and I have about 3-4 weeks to spare to walk a route in France from about late May to mid/late June. We will be arriving in France via Switzerland, so walking in France seems to make more sense than traveling to another country in Europe.

Our short list of possible trails includes:

Chemin du Piemont (Narbonne to St Jean PdP)
Via Tolosana (Arles to maybe Toulouse or Pau)
Via Genennensis (from Lausanne or Geneva to Le Puy)
Via Podiensis (from Le Puy to whereever can get to within 4 weeks max, unlikely St Jean PdP)

After completing the walk, we would return to Paris to catch our flight before the end of the month of June

I welcome all suggestions and thoughts

Thanks!

Neville

 

[newfydog]

My order:
1)Via Podiensis-- outstanding except for last part before SJPP
2)Via Tolosana-- (Arles to maybe Toulouse or Pau) Some tough hills on that route, but nice variety, uncrowded
3)Chemin du Piemont I have not done it, but looks nice
4)Via Genennensis (from Lausanne or Geneva to Le Puy) Definitely start in Geneva, or take the boat to Geneva. Artificial contrived route with little history. Best near LePuy.

 

[Mournes]

I agree with Newfydog but the Arles route would be my first choice.
I did this route in 2008/9 and Le Puy in 2007.In my opinion the Arles route was for me more
of a challenge than the Camino Frances.You could certainly reach Pau in 4 weeks .Unfortunately you would miss the final stages over the Col du Somport and down the Jaca valley which is very beautiful.As Newfydog said there are fewer people on the Arles route but you still have to book accomodation in advance.If you choose the Arles route be sure to stay in Lodeve where there is a fabulous gite called La Megisserie.
There are far more people on the Le Puy route and it is my understanding from the french forum Au cœur du chemin,very busy during May .
I am sure no matter which route you choose you will have a fabulous time.
Bon chemin et Bon Courage.

 

[jirit]

Thanks Mournes and newfydog for the wonderful feedback

I think we have narrowed it down to:

1)Via Podiensis (if the weather in May/June is on our side)
2)Via Tolosana (if the weather in May/June is not on our side)

What would you suggest in terms of guidebooks and where to get the pilgrim passport?

I assume we could get a passport in Le Puy but what the Via Tolosana route?

Neville

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Miam Miam Dodo has the best guidebooks (in French) for both routes. You can look at samples here:

http://www.chemindecompostelle.com/Miam ... #PageGuide

http://www.chemindecompostelle.com/Sele ... rance.html

 

[jirit]

Miam Miam Dodo has the best guidebooks (in French) for both routes. You can look at samples here:

http://www.chemindecompostelle.com/Miam ... #PageGuide

http://www.chemindecompostelle.com/Sele ... rance.html

Thanks falcon269!

 

[Mournes]

Jirit you can get the pilgrim passport from the Cathedral of St Trophime
in Arles.
I used the French Rando Guide and Miam Miam Dodo for accommodation and restaurants.

 

[newfydog]

I personally prefer the FFRP guides over Miam Miam. Real maps, not sketches, and some nice cultural info. I think the Miam is more comprehensive on lodging. You can find it in most bookstores, but here's a link:

http://www.amazon.fr/Sentier-St-Jacques ... 968&sr=8-1


http://www.amazon.fr/Sentier-vers-Saint ... =8-2-fkmr0


We did the Arles route in April-May and only booked ahead once, on a holiday weekend heading into St Guilhem la Desert. Booked that morning. Absolutely no problem any other day.

We did the Le Puy route in September and never booked ahead.

I would do either one again.

 

[jirit]

We have narrowed down our choices to either the
Via Tolosana from Arles
Via Podiensis from Le Puy

However we plan to walk to Lourdes. I have figured how to connect to the route going to Lourdes (GR#653 to GR#101) and (GR#65 to GR#653 via GR de Pays "Coeur de Gascogne" for the latter route), and how long it will take. We plan to leave May 19 and arrive in Lourdes June 21

Surprisingly both routes take approx 30 days (maybe less for those who want walk longer each day). Our plan includes a few extra days for sightseeing in some of important towns and cities along the way.

A couple of question?

Given that we have decided to make Lourdes our final destination, which way would you recommend, Via Tolosana or Via Podiensis?

Can anyone recommend a place to stay in Lourdes? I suspect it will be busy mid June

Thanks

 

[raruns]

Starting El Camino Francés with my brother and sister in law on May 25th from SJPP. We plan to stay in Paris from the 25th to te 28th. Looking for a moderate price place where we can stay for 3 days. If any boda can help with some advice, it will be great help.
Raruns

 

[lovingkindness]

Bonjour, Jirit.
You might like to consider hiking Le Sentier Cathare (The Cathar Way). As you have a few weeks to spare, perhaps you might link this trail to stages of Le chemin de Saint-Jacques , Arles. The Cathar Way is a stunning hike in 12 stages beginning at Port-la-Nouvelle by the coast , ending at Foix in the foothills of the Pyrennees. Along the way are nine ruined Cathar castles -Aquilar, Queribus, Peyrepertuse, Puivert, Montsegur….. Although it is not a Grand Randonee, it is a well signed, maintained trail.

I hiked this route in April, 2007. Except for the first stage, which I did in two days staying in Chambre d’hotes, there are Gites at the end of most stages. Trains run from Carcassonne to Port-La-Nouvelle. From Foix there’s a train to Toulouse.

Guide book
Mattingly, Alan. The Cathar Way: A walkers guide to the Sentier Cathare. Cicerone
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1852844868/?tag=casaivar-21

Reading
…and here’s a couple of inspiring books…the village of Montaillou can be seen in the distance as one hikes into Comus...

Ladurie, Emmanuel La Roy. (2002). Montaillou: Cathars and Catholics in a French Village 1294-1324.. Penguin.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0140137009/?tag=casaivar-21

O’Shea, Stephen. The Perfect Heresy: The Life and Death of the Cathars. Books.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1861973500/?tag=casaivar-21

 

[mspath]

Starting El Camino Francés with my brother and sister in law on May 25th from SJPP. We plan to stay in Paris from the 25th to te 28th. Looking for a moderate price place where we can stay for 3 days. If any boda can help with some advice, it will be great help.
Raruns

Hello!

Welcome to the CSJ forum! I am certain that you will find much helpful information here as you plan your Camino.

The dates that you cite seem a bit confused. Will you begin walking from SJPdP on May 25 or 28 ?

One site you might use to look for affordable accommodation is Airbnb. Here is their link for Paris.
http://www.airbnb.com/search?locati...clid=CNiR-8enzqcCFc4e3wodiXlbBw#modified=true

Bon Voyage and Buen Camino!

Margaret

 

[Kitsambler]

Regardless of your route, try to book accommodations in advance. The French love to go walking in May, as there are three bridge weekends (Thursday through Sunday and sometimes extending through Monday as well): May Day (May 1), V-E Day (May 8th), Pentecost (moveable feast - May 27 for 2012). This impacts the demand for accommodations, and the opening hours of shops and restaurants.

 

[jirit]

Bonjour, Jirit.
You might like to consider hiking Le Sentier Cathare (The Cathar Way). As you have a few weeks to spare, perhaps you might link this trail to stages of Le chemin de Saint-Jacques , Arles. The Cathar Way is a stunning hike in 12 stages beginning at Port-la-Nouvelle by the coast , ending at Foix in the foothills of the Pyrennees. Along the way are nine ruined Cathar castles -Aquilar, Queribus, Peyrepertuse, Puivert, Montsegur….. Although it is not a Grand Randonee, it is a well signed, maintained trail.

I hiked this route in April, 2007. Except for the first stage, which I did in two days staying in Chambre d’hotes, there are Gites at the end of most stages. Trains run from Carcassonne to Port-La-Nouvelle. From Foix there’s a train to Toulouse.

Guide book
Mattingly, Alan. The Cathar Way: A walkers guide to the Sentier Cathare. Cicerone
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1852844868/?tag=casaivar-21

Reading
…and here’s a couple of inspiring books…the village of Montaillou can be seen in the distance as one hikes into Comus...

Ladurie, Emmanuel La Roy. (2002). Montaillou: Cathars and Catholics in a French Village 1294-1324.. Penguin.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0140137009/?tag=casaivar-21

O’Shea, Stephen. The Perfect Heresy: The Life and Death of the Cathars. Books.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1861973500/?tag=casaivar-21

Thanks Lovingkindness for all the great information on this trail

We have decided to walk the Le Puy route to Lectore and then head south to the Arles route arriving in Auch. From there we expect to walk along this route and later head south of GR 101 into Lourdes. But I will keep the Le Sentier Cathare route in mind for next time.

In fact after reading about your journey from Tronheim Norway to Santiago Spain, I am inspired to do something similar. The only issue is finding the time and having the ability to stay in Europe beyond 3 months.

Neville