We’re some 900 years on from when pilgrim ways were the endeavours of salvation and improved health. Yet the best pilgrimages in France remain vibrant with visitors and are well maintained, and the lines between religious tourism and walking holidays have become somewhat blurred in recent years.
France is both the source of many routes to Santiago de Compostela as well as the home nation to a number of world renowned pilgrimage sites. Walk this way to discover them.
Camino de Santiago
It is the tomb of Saint James, one of Jesus’ apostles, that brings France to the fore of European pilgrimages. His tomb lies in Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain where it is said he was buried having been beheaded by Herod. The old town of Santiago is unsurprisingly protected now as a UNESCO world heritage site.
There are four Camino de Santiago pilgrimage routes in France, such was the fervour to reach the tomb of St James in Compostela in northern Spain. Once in Spain, the routes converge on one path, the Camino Frances.
It would be wonderful to explore all the Chemins de Saint Jacques if we had the time. For now, we’ll let you prioritise your preference according to what you’d like to see and experience along the way.
Via Podiensis
Route: Le Puy-en-Velay to St-Jean-Pied-de-Port
This is thought to be the world’s oldest pilgrim route and it runs through one of our favourite parts of France. This ancient pilgrimage route was first walked by Bishop Godesclac in 950 AD en route to Santiago de Compostela not long after St James’ tomb is thought to have been discovered.
Today, of all pilgrim routes in France it is the most popular, perhaps because it’s the shortest at 736 km; although that doesn’t mean it’s the easiest of hikes. It is also known as Camino Le Puy or referred to in English as the Way of St James.
Along the route
The route goes from Le Puy-en-Velay, although pilgrims from Switzerland often begin in Geneva and make their way along the Via Gebennensis or Way of Geneva, a route that was only officially created in the 1990s.
- Start at Notre Dame du Puy-en-Velay if you’re to begin traditionally and light a candle at the feet of Saint Jacques, the patron saint of pilgrims.
- The undulating meander of this route through the Velay region ensures spectacular views, including those from the Aubrac Plateau, some 1,300m above sea level.
- Conques is a popular resting point beneath the plateau and is a Midi-Pyrénées gem brimful with cultural and artistic heritage.
- Cahors with its oft-photographed striking towers of Pont Valentre is a memorable stop where half-timbered houses and narrow streets circle around its Gothic-Romanesque cathedral. This region is renowned for its red wines.
- Moissac is where the Garonne and Tarn converge to take the Canal du Midi all the way to Bordeaux
Via Turonensis
Route: Paris to St-Jean-Pied-de-Port
Despite starting in Paris and being of the best pilgrimages in France, this pilgrim route is the least well known and the least used. With pilgrims coming originally from northern Europe, the route has fallen into disrepair in places and been replaced by major roads in others.
At roughly 1,000 km, walkers are guided along (one of) the original route(s) by the marked pathway or Grande Randonnées (GR) signs. There is an entire route alternative though. It’s managed by the religious organisation Amis de Saint Jacques, enables pilgrims to plan and experience basic accommodation and dinners at gites d’etape and to fill a sort of pilgrim passport with stamps as they make their way along this route.
Along the route
Also known as the Paris Camino Route, Chemin de Paris and The Tours Way, there are plentiful diversions including routes into the Loire Valley and across to Chartres (see below for more on Chartres).
- Tours is one of France’s great cities where history has rumbled through, taking it from a Gallic-Roman settlement to a university city with many an architectural period on display to leave you with plenty to discover and explore.
- Divert into the Loire Valley to immerse yourself in a world of castles, palaces and fine wines.
- As you pass through Poitou and the Saintonge valley take in the pretty villages, Romanesque churches and lush countryside most closely associated with cognac.
- Bordeaux will sweep you off your weary feet with its gleaming city spaces. The 21st century is firmly back in your mind as its shops and cafes beckon to reward your efforts.
Via Lemovicensis
Route: Vézelay to St-Jean-Pied-de-Port
This pilgrimage route through France also comes with myriad options to detour but also to alternate from one Way of St James path to another. And delightfully for us, it sweeps through some of the glorious central France landscapes that are graced by our adored waterways; starting in Burgundy it includes sections of the river Yonne and the serene Canal du Nivernais.
From Vézelay it’s easy to be distracted by the prospect of Chablis in this region of France. And further along you may wish to wander through the beauty of Perigueux and Bergerac towards the Via Podiensis for the next phase of your pilgrimage.
Also known as the Way of Vézelay or the Vézelay Route.
Along the route
River and canal-side walks, forest treks and mountainous hikes.
- Before leaving Vézelay, you may wish to find the town’s own pilgrimage site dedicated to Mary Magdalene.
- Saint-Leonard-de-Noblat is a medieval spectacle and a pilgrimage site in its own right with an 11th century abbey. Be sure to try some of the local marzipan.
- Limoges is a popular pilgrimage site, its name deriving from the Gallic Lemovices tribe. Saint Martial and Saint Valerie are buried in a 10th century crypt of the ruined Abbey of Saint Martial. As the capital of the Limousin region, Limoges has plenty to offer including the national porcelain museum and grand gardens of the bishop’s palace.
- Aixe sur Vienne is renowned for its Malassert bridge and the ruined remains of the Jeanne d’Albret tower, once a protective fortress for the viscounts of Limoges.
- The Roman roads of Perigieux will test your mettle as they seem to go on and on while the lush vineyards and orchards of Lot-et-Garonne will reward your efforts, and a drop of armagnac won’t be far from reach.
- Montreal-du-Gers is a classic French bastide town where much of life circulates around the central square including cafe culture and the town’s focal point, the church, which in this case is the 13th century Church of Sainte-Marie
Via Tolasana
Route: Arles to Col de Somport
Of the four best pilgrimages in France heading for Santiago de Compostela, the Via Tolasana is the one that cuts across the south of France and welcomes pilgrims from Italy. It has also steered pilgrims in the opposite direction en route to Rome.
This is a route connecting multiple catholic churches for those looking at how to pilgrimage in Europe. In fact, in 1214 St Francis of Assisi made his own pilgrimage to Santiago from Italy. During his visit he founded the Church of Saint Francis and a convent, both of which can be visited still today.
Via Tolasana is the latin name for this route that’s also known as the Way of Arles or the Arles Route.
Along the route
- Arles is a stirring starting point where all eyes lead to its Roman amphitheatre and from there follow Van Gogh’s footsteps around the city, which inspired so many of his famous paintings.
- Saint Gilles is a popular pilgrimage site in France where Saint Gilles built a monastery and the miracles that occurred after his death led pilgrims to worship at his tomb. Enjoy the local Saint-Gilloise focaccia and sweet caramel mosaics Saint-Gilles while you’re there. Another of the France pilgrim routes leads here from Le Puy-en-Velay.
- Saint-Guilhem-le-Desert is a medieval village on the Val de Gellone aching with history and heritage that begs you to linger, ponder and explore.
- Castres is a thriving Languedoc town on the river Agout renowned for its leather tanning trade and the work of Spanish artist de Goya to whom the museum is dedicated.
- Toulouse (La Ville Rose) counters your rural pilgrimage with striking pink sandstone architecture, serious shopping options and gastronomic delights beginning with cassoulet and finishing with chocolate. It’s here that the Canal de Garonne meets the Canal du Midi.
Les Chemins du Mont-Saint-Michel
Route: Rouen to Mont-Saint-Michel
Wherever you start your pilgrimage to Mont-Saint-Michel, any dip in motivation is countered by the promise of being greeted at the very end by its exceptional sight. The striking Gothic Benedictine abbey on this tidal island was built over the course of 500 years from the 11th-16th centuries. It is dedicated to Archangel St Michael with varying legends acclaiming its foundations as a pilgrim site.
Naturally, given its position off the coast of northern France, there are six documented pilgrim routes to Mont-Saint-Michel including:
- The Way of Rouen tracks the route of medieval times via the forests of Roumare and Montfort to Falaise and on to Avranches where the Scriptorium Museum will complete the history of the island and its abbey
- The Way of Chartres connects the two most iconic pilgrimage sites in France creating a particularly popular France pilgrim route.
- The Way of Paris treks through tough Normandy terrain taking in L’Aigle, Argentan and Briouze before joining the route from Chartres for the last phase of the journey.
Taizé
Taizé in Burgundy is a more modern pilgrimage site in France. It was the creation of Brother Roger (Sautz-Marsauche) who travelled to the area from Switzerland and settled in the town providing refuge for those fleeing persecution.
Established initially as a monastic community welcoming both protestant and catholic worshippers, it has become popular as an accessible pilgrimage site irrespective of one’s own beliefs. It is particularly popular with younger generations of worshippers.
Lourdes
Lourdes became a site of pilgrimage after a young girl, Bernadette Soubrais saw multiple apparitions of the Virgin Mary in a cave there on the banks of the river Gave in 1858. Miracles followed for members of the crowd who came to see what Bernadette was seeing. Some who drank from or bathed in the spring near the cave were healed and the Lourdes water became associated with miracles despite presenting no extraordinary properties.
Today, pilgrims visit Lourdes to attend the grotto to respect and reflect, take the water, light and leave a candle, and take part in a Eucharist procession.
Chartres
Millions of people make their pilgrimage to Notre Dame Cathedral in Chartres to worship at the Veil of the Virgin – a tunic thought to have been worn by the Virgin Mary on the day Jesus was born. It has been in the city since 876 from whence forth pilgrims walked to worship at it thus creating one of the most popular pilgrimages in France.
Today, there is a continuous stream of pilgrims to the cathedral as well as multiple organised walks tied to feast days and celebrations. One of the most popular pilgrim ways is from Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris to Chartres.
Discover the best pilgrimages in France
Sections of some of these routes wend their way through some of our favourite waterside towns and villages. Many of these feature as mooring stops for self-drive hire boaters or as excursion options for our luxury hotel barges.
Which way will you see the waterways?
Go self-drive cruising | Charter a hotel barge
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