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The French Camino is likely one of the routes of the Camino de Santiago, a pilgrimage to the tomb of the Apostle St.James in Santiago de Compostela. It’s the most well-liked Camino route. In response to the Pilgrims’ Reception Workplace in 2023 219 792 individuals walked the French route. Pilgrims begin their stroll from totally different cities alongside the Camino. 60% of all pilgrims on the French Camino stroll the final 100 km from Sarria.
You’ll find extra data on strolling levels, distances, elevations, stops alongside the route, and albergues in our put up “Camino Frances strolling levels“.
The French Camino overview
Whole distance – 770 km/478 mi
Variety of days required – 30-33 days
Strolling on asphalt – 290 km/180 mi
Strolling on the highway – 70 km/43,3 mi largely quiet roads with virtually no vehicles
Common price – 30 Euro per particular person per day
Lodging – albergues, lodges, guesthouses
Route marking – yellow shells and arrows
Insurance coverage for the Camino
You may learn extra data on journey insurance coverage for the Camino Frances in our devoted put up on Camino journey insurance coverage or get an on the spot quote proper now.
Issues can and do go unsuitable while you journey. World Nomads affords protection for greater than 150 actions in addition to emergency medical, misplaced baggage, journey cancellation and extra.
Free downloadable PDFs
To make your planning simpler we’ve created free downloadable PDF recordsdata that comprise detailed strolling levels and locations to remain on the French Means of St.James.
What’s the French Means of the Camino de Santiago?
The French Means of St.James is the most well-liked Camino de Santiago long-distance pilgrimage route. The historical past of the Camino dates many centuries again. For the reason that twelfth century, the French Camino has been utilized by a whole bunch of 1000’s of pilgrims from throughout Europe as the principle path to the tomb of St.James in Santiago de Compostela. On account of its reputation, the French Camino has the most effective infrastructure and probably the most albergues in comparison with the opposite routes. Many pilgrims select it as their first Camino stroll.
How lengthy is the route?
The space of the French Means of St.James from St.Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostela is 770 km/478 mi. One wants 30-35 days to finish the route. There are many lovely cities on the French Camino if it’s essential to take a relaxation day.
The place does the French Means begin?
The French Camino de Santiago begins within the small city of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France, close to the border with Spain. St.Jean is the official begin of the route however you can begin strolling from wherever alongside the Camino route. Many individuals don’t stroll the complete Camino and do solely part of it relying on how a lot time they’ve and the way far they need to stroll.
The place can I begin strolling the Camino?
In case you have plenty of time and are eager on strolling for a few months beginning the French Camino in Le Puy (France) is an effective possibility for you. Le Puy is 1500 km from Santiago, and St.Jean Pied de Port is about midway. I haven’t walked the French half but however I’ve met some individuals who have. From what I’ve heard the French a part of the Camino is kind of totally different, initially, as a result of there are only a few individuals which could be nice when you’re searching for solitude. Second, there are fewer albergues which implies your lodging bills will likely be increased.
Many individuals begin the French Camino from Roncesvalles (746 km from Santiago) skipping the primary stage from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. I suppose the principle purpose is that everyone is aware of in regards to the robust stroll with a really steep ascent and a subsequent descent from St.Jean to Roncesvalles. My recommendation is when you begin in Roncesvalles and get there by bus e book your lodging forward, there may be one enormous albergue for 200 individuals, one or two fancy lodges and nothing else. You may e book it on-line.
Beginning in one of many large cities like Pamplona, Logroño, Burgos, Leon, or Astorga (examine distances from these cities to Santiago within the desk above) is kind of a preferred possibility. You may select any of those cities relying on how a lot time you’ve got and the way far you need to stroll. It’s fairly simple to get to any of the cities from wherever in Spain or from different European international locations.
One other in style level to start out the French Means is O Cebreiro although attending to this little village hidden within the mountains could be a bit tough. Public buses don’t go to O Cebreiro the best choice is to get first to Lugo, then to take a bus to a small city Pedrafita do Cebreiro which is 4,5km away from O Cebreiro, and from there stroll or take a taxi. There are a few every day buses from Lugo going that means.
If you wish to get the Compostela (the certificates that claims that you simply’ve walked the Camino) the required minimal is to stroll no less than the final 100 km to Santiago de Compostela or to cycle 200 km, not any 100 km on the Camino however the final 100km. For that reason, many individuals begin strolling the French Camino in Sarria, a city that’s 116 km away from Santiago. It’s an possibility when you don’t have a lot time.
The most effective guidebook
If you wish to purchase a guidebook for the French Camino I can advocate A Pilgrim’s Information to the Camino de Santiago; Camino Frances by John Brierley. We used his guides for a number of Camino routes together with this one. They’re simple to make use of, very detailed, and useful.
Is the French route arduous?
Sure, the French Camino is tough like every one-month stroll. It has some difficult elements with steep ascents and descents or lengthy strolling distances. It’s particularly arduous for a first-time pilgrim who has by no means performed a long-distance stroll. So coaching for the Camino de Santiago is vital.
Learn how to get to the start line?
St.Jean Pied de Port is the official begin of the French Means of St.James. It’s a small city on the border between France and Spain getting there would possibly look slightly bit difficult at first I attempted to place collectively the most effective transportation choices from Spain and France.
Both means through France or Spain you’ll must make no less than one change to get to St.Jean there aren’t any direct transport choices. Departure occasions and ticket costs can change at any time, you’ll be able to affirm the knowledge on the businesses’ web sites (the hyperlinks are supplied under). Now we have an in depth put up explaining find out how to get to St.Jean Pied de Port from totally different cities in France and Spain.
Backpack supply on the French route
It’s attainable to stroll the French Means of St.James with no backpack a number of baggage switch companies can ship your backpack between lodging (door-to-door service) every day. You may stroll with a small day pack carrying solely valuables and water and your baggage will likely be delivered to your resort/albergue. The service prices between 7€ per backpack per stage. The backpacks are picked up within the morning on the reception and delivered by lunchtime. Correos, Pilbeo, and Xacotrans (from O Cebreiro to Santiago) are some corporations providing baggage transfers.
What’s the finest part of the route?
The reply to this query relies on your preferences. I get pleasure from mountainous surroundings and don’t thoughts steep ascents and descents for me the start of the French Camino from St.Jean-Pied-de-Port to Pamplona and the center part to and from O Cebreiro are the most effective elements of the route.
In the event you want strolling on flat floor then the a part of the French route between Burgos and Leon, the well-known Meseta is the most effective part for you. It’s most likely the most common surroundings of the Camino.
If you wish to do a shorter stroll and get your Compostela certificates for finishing the Camino then the French Camino from Sarria is the most effective part so that you can stroll.
What’s the finest month to stroll?
If you wish to have the most effective climate not too wet and chilly and never too sizzling Might, June, and September are the most effective months for strolling this route. Temperatures are snug round 25°C and never many rainfalls. Spring normally and Might, specifically, is, for my part, the most effective time for strolling the Camino. Along with the nice climate and lengthy days, you get to see fields coated in flowers. September is an effective month too however the day is getting shorter and when you like to start out strolling early within the morning you’ll must stroll at midnight for an hour or so.
After all, the nice climate attracts many individuals. Might, June, and September are the busiest months for the French Camino. You may need to e book lodging in some locations upfront and take care of many individuals on the route however on the brilliant facet, it’s a really social good for individuals who stroll alone.
In August and July, it’s sizzling and dry, particularly within the a part of the Meseta, you’ll have to start out strolling early to be completed earlier than noon. I used to suppose that August was the height season for this route (possibly as a result of August is the height vacationer season for Europe normally) but it surely’s not. There usually are not many individuals strolling the Camino in August. Everyone is aware of it’s sizzling, and folks don’t need to stroll within the warmth.
Strolling in October, March, or April you will be fortunate and get good climate although it’ll be fairly chilly and darkish, or very unfortunate and get plenty of rain. There will likely be some pilgrims however considerably fewer than in the summertime months.
As for strolling utterly low season from November to February, it’ll be chilly and moist, some albergues could be closed in addition to some elements of the Camino, two specifically the place it’s important to go over the passes; from St.Jean to Roncesvalles and thru O Cebreiro. You’ll must take another winter route or skip the stage. The one benefit of strolling the French Means in winter is that there will likely be no individuals in case you need a solitary stroll.
The Camino in fall vs spring
How a lot does it price?
The Camino will be performed on a really tight finances spending 25€ every day. In the event you don’t thoughts paying extra and need extra consolation your price will be between 40 and 50€ per particular person per day. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the Camino price.
Lodging
The most cost effective lodging possibility on the French Camino is municipal albergues (a dormitory with bunk beds) which price round 8€, non-public albergues (a dormitory with bunk beds or regular beds) are between 13€ and 16€. Costs for personal lodging begin from 30€ for a single room and 40€ for a double room.
The lodging makes an enormous distinction to your finances. In the event you keep in municipal albergues your stroll will likely be low cost and quite the opposite, when you select to remain in non-public rooms your finances will likely be akin to a traditional vacation finances.
Sleeping each evening in a dormitory with many different individuals and utilizing shared services is kind of tiring, everyone wants some privateness typically. I used to e book no less than as soon as every week (each fourth or fifth evening) a personal room the place I might relaxation, take a protracted bathe, and luxuriate in being alone.
Consuming out
Not surprisingly consuming out is costlier than making meals however typically on the Camino, you’re too drained to prepare dinner or need to exit with different pilgrims. In addition to making an attempt native meals on the Camino is part of the expertise so I’d recommend consuming out occasionally to get a style of Spain.
A normal breakfast (espresso, orange juice, croissant/sandwich/toast) you will discover in all places on the French Means prices 4€. Many of the day I ended for breakfast as a result of I didn’t really feel like making meals at 6 am.
Menú del Día or Menú del Peregrino is the most well-liked lunch possibility on the French Camino, you get it in all places within the afternoon, and a few locations serve it for dinner. It’s a set lunch with the primary (soup, salad, or pasta), the principle (meat, hen, fish, vegetarian with garnish), wine/beer/water/cool drink, dessert, or espresso, and bread. Menú del Día normally prices 12€ typically it’s good and massive, and typically it’s not wonderful and never that a lot. Ask your albergue/resort a couple of good place to eat they normally know.
Espresso, beer, and wine are fairly low cost in Spain even when you’re on a good finances you positively will have the ability to afford a every day cup of espresso or two and a glass of wine or beer. A cup of espresso is 1,5€, and a glass of wine/beer – 2€.
Grocery procuring
The most cost effective possibility is shopping for meals in supermarkets. Staying in albergues will assist with spending much less on meals as a result of a lot of the albergues have a kitchen, not like lodges. Most locations you cease on the French route have supermarkets, outlets, or no less than small grocery shops. Relying on what you purchase put together to spend between 8€ and 10€ per particular person per day on groceries.
Further companies on the Camino
The backpack supply service that many individuals use on the French Camino, prices 7€ per backpack per stage. You don’t have to make use of it each day I do know some pilgrims use it when it’s a protracted strolling day or a troublesome one with many hills or a steep climb.
Many pilgrims wash their garments each day by hand many albergues have washing machines in addition to driers that work with cash. One load of washing is normally 3€, drying – 3-4€. These machines are normally large you’ll be able to share one load between two or three individuals.
My finances breakdown for the French Camino
In 32 days on the French route I spent;
Lodging – 494€, 8 nights in non-public rooms (together with 1 evening in a spa resort), 8 nights in municipal albergues, and 16 nights in non-public albergues. In the event you keep in albergues solely you are able to do it for underneath 350€ per particular person for 32 days.
Grocery procuring – 178€
Consuming out – 298€, when you make your meals and eat solely breakfast or a sandwich it can save you about 100€.
Espresso, wine, beer – 49€
Transport – 84€, bus Barcelona – Pamplona – 28€, bus Pamplona – St.Jean Pied de Port – 22€, practice Santiago – Madrid – 34€.
Laundry – 23€
Different (SIM card, entrance charges, toiletries, and so forth.) – 50€
Whole: 1152€ or 36€ per particular person per day.
What to pack for the stroll?
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My major tip right here is to not pack an excessive amount of until you’re planning to make use of a backpack supply service then it doesn’t matter and you may take the complete closet with you. Two important issues that you simply need to be good and cozy are footwear and a backpack. Be sure you put on your footwear earlier than and your toes are used to them when you purchase a brand new pair of footwear your probabilities of getting dangerous blisters are fairly excessive. Discover out extra particulars on the most effective footwear for the Camino de Santiago.
Now we have an in depth Camino packing put up the place you will discover what to pack for the Camino for various seasons for women and men.
What’s the lodging like on the Camino?
Discovering lodging on the French Camino could be very simple, there are a lot of albergues, lodges, and pensions alongside the route. As I already talked about albergues are the most affordable lodging on the Camino. Albergues will be municipal and personal. Municipal albergues are cheaper, greater, and fewer snug in comparison with non-public ones.
Most albergues have a few dormitories with bunk beds (typically one enormous room with many beds) and shared services like a kitchen, bathrooms, and showers. In municipal albergues, you usually get disposable bedding (a mattress sheet and a pillow casing).
Challenges chances are you’ll encounter in albergues, particularly in municipal as they’re normally greater and accommodate extra individuals;
Snorers, be sure that to pack earplugs you’ll have individuals loud night breathing in your dorms.
Lining up to make use of showers, washing machines, cooking utensils, checking in, and so forth. My recommendation is after you check-in don’t make your mattress or unpack your backpack, seize your stuff, and go to the bathe typically there are solely two or three of them for 30 or 40 individuals.
Being woken up at 4.30am as a result of some individuals begin strolling at 5am and even when they attempt to be quiet they nonetheless wake you up.
If staying in dormitories doesn’t sound very interesting and also you relatively pay extra cash to have extra consolation and privateness you’ll be able to keep in lodges and pensions. In the event you’re planning to stroll the French route in excessive season (Might to September) I’d advocate reserving lodges upfront from my expertise (I walked the French Means in September) non-public rooms have been normally totally booked and in lots of cities, it was troublesome to discover a effectively priced non-public room on arrival. You’ll have extra consolation when you keep in lodges however only for the expertise, I’d recommend spending no less than one evening within the albergue.
As for reserving upfront, I’d advocate doing it within the peak season, significantly in some locations. Initially in Roncesvalles (there is just one albergue for 200 individuals and two costly lodges) particularly when you’re ranging from there and arriving late by bus. Zubiri is a small city and a preferred cease on the second day. O Cebreiro is one other small city with one municipal albergue and a few pensions.
The French Camino vs different Camino routes
Our readers usually ask us “What’s your favourite Camino?”. These questions are at all times troublesome to reply however after strolling seven totally different Camino routes during the last two years we now have received our favorites. We appreciated totally different Camino routes for a number of causes, some for the breathtaking surroundings, some for being off the crushed observe, some for providing an amazing cultural expertise, and so forth. Each Camino has one thing distinctive and particular.
If we now have to decide on we’d say for the surroundings the Camino del Norte might be our favourite. Strolling subsequent to the ocean is a tremendous expertise. The Camino Primitivo was one other route we loved regardless of the wet climate and the muddy path. It’s attainable to mix the French Means with the Camino Primitivo. From Leon, you’ll be able to stroll to Oviedo following the Camino de San Salvador, one of many lesser-known Camino routes, and from there proceed to Santiago on the Camino Primitivo.
We do plenty of mountaineering within the mountains and the Primitivo was the closest you may get on the Camino to actual mountaineering. The Portuguese Camino was an amazing expertise since you get to stroll by means of two international locations; Portugal and Spain and when you select the Coastal Route you stroll subsequent to the ocean.
The French Camino affords a tremendous cultural expertise. You stroll by means of unbelievable Spanish cities with nice historical past and structure like Pamplona, Burgos, León, and Astorga. Their astonishing cathedrals and fortresses blow you away.
As for the surroundings on the French route, I loved the start of the stroll, the mountain half from St.Jean Pied de Port to Pamplona, the half from Astorga to Molinaseca, and the stroll to O Cebreiro. I really like strolling within the mountains. As for the well-known Meseta a protracted stretch between Burgos and Astorga by means of plains and fields I’m not an enormous fan of this type of surroundings. This half jogged my memory of some levels of the Portuguese Camino from Lisbon and the By way of de la Plata. I do know many pilgrims get pleasure from this specific half however for me, it received fairly monotonous after a few days.
Another excuse in favor of selecting the French Camino is the social life you might be by no means alone, it’s simple to seek out somebody to stroll with or to speak to within the night. I walked the French Means of St.James alone and was by no means bored or lonely.
French Means FAQ
Will I be lonely if I stroll the Camino alone?
The French Means was one of many few Camino routes I walked alone with out my husband. At first, I needed to modify to it however I positively can say I didn’t really feel lonely. Many pilgrims stroll this route and your probabilities of strolling alone are fairly small. By the tip of the primary week fairly lots of people and at all times can discover someone to stroll with or have lunch.
Is it secure to stroll the French Means of St.James alone as a girl?
Security for feminine pilgrims is likely one of the most regularly requested Camino questions we get. I walked alone for 780 km and by no means felt unsafe on the French Camino. As I stated you hardly stroll alone there are normally different pilgrims on the route however even once I had an hour or so strolling alone I by no means felt any hazard. In the event you really feel intimidated or unsafe you’ll be able to workforce up with one other pilgrim many individuals stroll the Camino solo.
Will it’s troublesome to speak on the French Camino if I don’t converse Spanish?
In the event you don’t converse any Spanish don’t fear about it most pilgrims usually are not Spanish. Many individuals I met on the French route might converse fairly good English. The truth is, on this route, there have been many pilgrims from the US, Canada, and the UK in comparison with the opposite Camino routes English right here was most likely probably the most spoken language. Many locals don’t converse English however there may be at all times somebody round who will help and translate for you.
Which Camino route is the most effective to stroll for a first-timer?
Out of the long-distance routes, I’d say the French Means might be the most effective as a result of it has probably the most infrastructure for pilgrims, distances between albergues usually are not that lengthy you’ll be able to simply stroll 20km a day and discover a place to sleep. If you wish to attempt the Camino and aren’t able to stroll for one month you’ll be able to select a shorter route just like the Camino Inglés or the Camino Finisterre or stroll the final 100km on the Camino Francés from Sarria.
Advisable books and guidebooks
Planning sources for the French route
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The gorgeous half of Stingy Nomads, answerable for all our land adventures (mountaineering, climbing, strolling the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves strolling since she was a baby, she prefers to stroll 1000 km with a backpack relatively than to do a ten 000 km highway journey (truly any highway journey). Alya is an enormous fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Each time we go away she desperately misses our canine Chile.
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