CAMINO FRANCES

Le Chemins Compostelle de Conques

Towards Compostela … 200 km and options for the route to follow!

PATHS – 07 : TOWARDS COMPOSTELA … 200 KM AND 3 OPTIONS !

From Canada, to complete the Camino du Puy (France – 750 km) or the Camino Francès (Spain – 800 km), you need to plan for at least 6 weeks of availability, or 42 days, including 32 days of walking.

The difference, 10 days, covers the plane-train-bus transfers to reach the beginning of the route (2 days), to return (2 days) and 1 day of rest per week (6 days).

In both cases, we are talking about an average of 25 km per day of walking, often with longer stages, 6 days out of 7 and no real flexibility except at the expense of rest days to compensate for unforeseen circumstance! It is an option, but one that requires time and a certain habit of hiking, which is not for everyone.

 

Le Chemins Compostelle de ConquesLESS TIME FOR TRAVEL? WHY NOT ONE OF THESE OPTIONS?

  • On the Way of Le Puy (France), between Le Puy-en-Velay and Conques-en-Rouergue
  • 2 major sanctuaries : from the Cathedral of Le Puy to the Basilica of Conques
  • A superb itinerary with a rich medieval heritage, through the Devès mountains, the Aubrac plateau and the Lot valley, a hilly route, of moderate level, with however some short but strong differences in altitude.
  • DISTANCE : 200 KM

 

OPTION 1 : I have a total of 14 days (including 10 days on site):

This route is achievable in 10 days of walking of which 2 exceed 25 km / day and 4 between 20 and 25 km. It is the fast option, of sustained level, without rest day, with quick visits of the sanctuaries of Le Puy, Conques and an overview of the local history along the way.

Le Chemins Compostelle de Conques

OPTION 2 : I have a total of 18 days (including 14 days on site):

Same route but completed in 14 days of walking with stages of less than 20 km per day. Easy to moderate level. Short stages, leaving time for oneself and to appreciate the local history. This is a good option for a first experience towards Compostela but without the discovery stays in Le Puy and Conques.

OPTION 3 : I have a total of 21 days (17 days on site):

This is option 2 but adding time for the sanctuaries: a day and a half visit to Le Puy-en-Velay and its cathedral as well as to the superb medieval village of Conques and its 11th century basilica.

 

Euro-Rando - Voyage et Escapade en Europe du Canada - Region et Grandes Villes

 

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

    www.nicolevoyage.com      450-455-0991  Toll Free: 1-877-455-0991

     www.euro-rando.com         514-386-1704


Towards Compostela in Spain

THE PATHS – 04 : TOWARDS COMPOSTELA IN SPAIN

WHAT ARE THE MAJOR ROUTES TO SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA IN SPAIN?

In SPAIN, three main roads converge towards Santiago: the CAMINO FRANCÈS, the CAMINO DEL NORTE and the VIA DE LA PLATA.

WHAT IS THE CAMINO FRANCÈS?

Distance: about 800 km. In the past, most of the pilgrims from France took this route, hence its name “The French Way”. It begins in St. Jean Pied de Port, crossing the Pyrenees, and goes inland through the regions of Navarra, Castilla y León and Galicia. It is the best known route and therefore the most frequented, especially in season.

WHAT IS THE CAMINO DEL NORTE?

Distance: about 850 km. It officially starts in IRUN and at the border, but many walkers start this route in Bayonne and in France. To the north of the Camino Frances, from where it takes its name, it follows for the most part the Atlantic coast before joining the Camino Primitivo in LUGO which leads to Santiago. It is a route between the sea and the mountains with very beautiful panoramas on the Atlantic but also with strong unevenness which makes it a less frequented way than the Camino Frances.

WHAT IS VIA DE LA PLATA?

Distance: about 1000 km. It starts in SEVILLE in the south of Spain. It joins the Camino Frances in ASTORGA but there is also, a little before this city, a fork towards the West and OURENSE by the Camino Sanabrès. An ancient Roman road, it is a superb historical route, also marked by solitude in certain sectors, still very little frequented but in the making. If you like less crowds and are ready to complete some long stages, it might be for you. Warning: it is not really recommended from mid-May to mid-September because of the excessive heat.

As in France, there are many other paths that join these great itineraries.

Euro-Rando - Voyage et Escapade en Europe du Canada - Region et Grandes Villes

 

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

    www.nicolevoyage.com      450-455-0991  Toll Free: 1-877-455-0991

     www.euro-rando.com         514-386-1704


From Canada to Europe

ASSISTANCE – 02: FROM CANADA TO EUROPE

Traveling to Europe means booking a transatlantic flight and most likely a train and/or bus ride to and from the starting point of your regional tour.

DO I BOOK TRAIN AND/OR BUSES MYSELF OR NOT?

If a few “clicks” on the Web are enough these days to make a reservation, consider the following points before choosing this method:

  • Are you sure you are getting the best fare, which is not always available online?
  • Is your knowledge of geography and/or travel conditions in Europe sufficient to determine the best arrival airport and the fastest route to your departure point?
  • Is your ticket refundable or not? What are the conditions for cancellation, change of dates, postponement of travel and at what cost?
  • Are you prepared to spend time and energy yourself to make any necessary changes before leaving?
  • Especially abroad, in the regions and while hiking, when it is usually very difficult to reach an airline or a train company?

A white coach, or long haul bus for tourists drives through the open roads of Spain, Europe on a summer day. There are white clouds against a blue sky and countryside.

Booking yourself is obviously a very personal decision, but it doesn’t save you money on the completely official online or agency fares. And the few – usually small – fees charged by an agency for all its services and support are well worth considering for peace of mind before and during the trip, especially when traveling abroad.

You should also consider travel cancellation coverage and possibly health coverage if you are not covered by group or individual insurance when travelling abroad. The

 

Euro-Rando - Voyage et Escapade en Europe du Canada - Region et Grandes Villes

 

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU !

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

    www.nicolevoyage.com      450-455-0991  Toll free : 1-877-455-0991

     www.euro-rando.com         514-386-1704