The French and I have our backpacks ready. Later today, we'll begin our journey to Paris to visit Domi's family and friends there and in the east part of France. In a week's time, we'll make our way south to Arles en Provence to continue our Camino adventures.
The Camino Arles, also known as The Arles Way, the Chemin d’Arles or Voie d’Arles in French or Via Tolosana in Latin, dates back to at least the 12th century. It was the route traditionally used by pilgrims from southern and eastern Europe on their way to Santiago de Compostela and, in reverse, by Spanish, Portuguese and French pilgrims on their way to Rome.
Our path will take us from the Languedoc region in southern France to Col du Somport where we cross the Pyrenees, and the Spanish border, to join the Camino Aragonés and walk on to Puente la Reina - a distance of between 900 and 970 kms depending on which guidebook you read. We have also read that, 'along the Arles Way, you will be enchanted by stunning landscapes, rich heritage and culture, as well as delicious food: the vineyards of Languedoc, the Canal du Midi and the breath taking Pyrenees are some of this route’s highlights ... and you will discover towns and villages of outstanding beauty such as St Guilhem le Desert, Castres, Toulouse, Auch and Oloron Sainte Marie'. And that it is a solitary route.
The Camino Arles, also known as The Arles Way, the Chemin d’Arles or Voie d’Arles in French or Via Tolosana in Latin, dates back to at least the 12th century. It was the route traditionally used by pilgrims from southern and eastern Europe on their way to Santiago de Compostela and, in reverse, by Spanish, Portuguese and French pilgrims on their way to Rome.
Our path will take us from the Languedoc region in southern France to Col du Somport where we cross the Pyrenees, and the Spanish border, to join the Camino Aragonés and walk on to Puente la Reina - a distance of between 900 and 970 kms depending on which guidebook you read. We have also read that, 'along the Arles Way, you will be enchanted by stunning landscapes, rich heritage and culture, as well as delicious food: the vineyards of Languedoc, the Canal du Midi and the breath taking Pyrenees are some of this route’s highlights ... and you will discover towns and villages of outstanding beauty such as St Guilhem le Desert, Castres, Toulouse, Auch and Oloron Sainte Marie'. And that it is a solitary route.
These
days the Arles Way sees only a small number of pilgrims. The
Pilgrims Office in Santiago de Compostela recorded that in 2015, of the
262,500+ pilgrims who arrived in Santiago via the various Camino routes,
just 200 began in Arles. Sure there would be others who, like us, walk
just the 900+ kms to Puente la Reina - or some other variation - so are not included in the
statistics. Even so, I don't imagine we will have any trouble finding a
bed!
If time allows when we have reached Puente le Reina, we hope to travel
north west to re-visit the beautiful town of Leon and, from there, to walk
the Camino Salvador. The Salvador is a relatively remote and mountainous route of 120 kms connecting Leon to Oviedo, the start of the Camino Primitivo, that Domi and I walked in October
2014. But that is too far ahead and there are too many days and too many kms between now and then to think any further about that.
To begin, The French and I will arrive in Arles in the early evening of Wednesday 30 March - as will our friends Guy and Martine who are walking with us until we reach Toulouse. Those of you who followed my earlier Camino blogs may remember Guy and Martine, the French couple we met on the Primitivo in Spain and visited in France last year. Together, we will begin our Camino on Friday 1 April.
Our ideas may prove to to be a little ambitious for our six weeks - but we'll see. As The French says, 'Tout est possible. We have just to walk.'
D'accord. Allez, allez. Time to go. One final check before zipping up our backpacks.
Until Arles ... where I will write my next post. Take care. A bientot.
J. x
To begin, The French and I will arrive in Arles in the early evening of Wednesday 30 March - as will our friends Guy and Martine who are walking with us until we reach Toulouse. Those of you who followed my earlier Camino blogs may remember Guy and Martine, the French couple we met on the Primitivo in Spain and visited in France last year. Together, we will begin our Camino on Friday 1 April.
Our ideas may prove to to be a little ambitious for our six weeks - but we'll see. As The French says, 'Tout est possible. We have just to walk.'
D'accord. Allez, allez. Time to go. One final check before zipping up our backpacks.
Until Arles ... where I will write my next post. Take care. A bientot.
J. x
 |
| Map shows main Camino routes in France and Spain. Camino Arles makes its way from Arles, south west to the Pyrenees and the border at the Somport Pass. In Spain, the route continues as the Camino Aragones untll Puente la Reina, where it joins the Camino Frances. The Camino Salvador between Leon and Oviedo is not shown on the map. |
