CAMINO FRANCÉS

The French Way, or “Camino Francés”, is the most popular route of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage network. It traverses across northern Spain, starting from various points in France, but traditionally it begins in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, a town in the French Pyrenees. From there, pilgrims journey approximately 800 kilometers (500 miles) on foot to reach Santiago de Compostela in northwest Spain, where the remains of Saint James the Great are believed to be enshrined. The French Way offers pilgrims a diverse range of landscapes, from the rugged mountains of the Pyrenees to the picturesque countryside of northern Spain, and finally to the historic streets of Santiago de Compostela. Along the route, pilgrims encounter numerous towns and villages, each with its own unique charm and cultural significance. Historically, the French Way has been one of the main pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela since the Middle Ages, attracting pilgrims from across Europe seeking spiritual growth, penance, or simply adventure. Today, it continues to draw thousands of pilgrims annually, both for religious and secular reasons.