In the last centuries of the Middle Ages, pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela experienced a great decline. It describes the French Way through 16 stages, from the Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela, and informs walkers of the services they will find along the route: fountains, food, sanctuaries, hospitals, local customs. In 1135, it appears in the Codex Calixtinus, an authentic medieval guide of the pilgrimage to Santiago. Throughout the 11th century, the influx of pilgrims intensified, and the kings began an important organizational work to facilitate the transit and safety of the pilgrims. An event that became a symbol of Christianity in the face of the Muslim occupation of the time. The news spread like wildfire throughout Europe the remains of the Apostle rested in a place called the “Field of Stars,” known as Compostela. Much later, in the year 812, a very important discovery was made: the tomb of the Apostle. James the Apostle, his remains were taken by boat from Jerusalem to Iria Flavia, in Galicia. We are situated in the years 41 and 44 after Christ. We briefly review the origins of the Camino de Santiago. A magical town where time seems to have stopped, which preserves intact the pilgrim spirit and a deep magnetism. ![]() It is one of the great landmarks of the Camino de Santiago and the starting point most used by pilgrims who make this French Camino de Santiago in its entirety. In Spanish territory, 24 kilometers from Saint Jean Pied de Port, we find the small village of Roncesvalles (Orreaga). The main difficulty of this first stage is the slopes we will accumulate no less than 1,258 meters of positive slope and 485 meters of negative slope, so it is necessary to have a good physical condition or take the variant by Valcarlos. It’s worth adding an extra day to your trip to enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Pyrenees and cross the border in the footsteps of Napoleon Bonaparte himself. Saint Jean Pied de Port, situated on the border with France, is the second most popular starting point for pilgrims. Nowadays, the starting point of the French Way can be considered both Saint Jean Pied de Port and Roncesvalles, so both options are perfect if you want to do this complete route. A route that will also give you the chance to visit impressive monuments, castles, bridges, as well as important Jacobean cities that were marked forever with the signs of the pilgrim.įrom Saint Jean Pied de Port or Roncesvalles If you decide to do the French route, you will enjoy the green mountains of Navarre, the vineyards of La Rioja, the immense oceans of cereal fields of the Castilian steppe and the green valley of El Bierzo to end up immersing yourself in the most authentic and rural Galicia until you reach Santiago de Compostela. A great social, cultural and religious phenomenon that welcomed over the centuries great kings, princesses, nobles, Templars, knights, poor and devotees from all over Christendom to kneel at the tomb of the Apostle St. ![]() A road that is characterized not only by its contrasts and variety of landscapes, but also by its impressive wealth of monuments. It is the most internationally recognized itinerary and with the greatest historical tradition, where most of the medieval pilgrimage routes converge. The French Way is the route of the Camino de Santiago par excellence.
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