The French Way
The French Way, developed as a Jacobean route in the eleventh century, is one of the oldest and most popular walking paths in the world. Historic cities such as Pamplona, Logroño, Burgos and León are interspersed with smaller towns along the way, rich in tradition and hospitality. Architectural marvels of the Spanish Romanesque and Gothic periods are found along this route, where they formed settings for famous scenes of epic literature.
The French Way begins in Galicia near O’Cebreiro and continues from there, passing through places and territories mentioned in the "Liber Sancti Jacobi" or "Codex Callixtinus," the first guidebook of the twelfth century, created to help pilgrims on the Way. Travelers can experience this tour on one of several levels: as a unique opportunity to see some of the oldest and finest architecture in the world, along with a number of monasteries and holy buildings fascinating even to the casual visitor, or as a time of heightened spiritual awareness and reflection, surrounded by and immersed in millennia of powerful religious history.
Total distance traveled in the program: about 77 miles
Difficulty: Challenging
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Soil characteristics: Mostly unpaved paths, clearly marked with signs
Altitude: Maximum 1,540 meters /approx. 5,052 feet
Participants: No minimum necessary
Day 1: Santiago De Compostela, Samos
Day 2: Samos, Sarria, Ferreiros
Day 3: Ferreiros, Portomarin, Ligonde
Day 4: Ligonde, Palas De Rei, Melide
Day 5: Melide, Arzua, O'Pino
Day 6: O'Pino, O'Pedrouzo, Santiago
Days 7-8: Santiago De Compostela
Price and Scheduling
This is a possible pilgrimage itinerary for groups.
Interested priests or pilgrimage organizers are invited to contact us to schedule the dates, to modify this current itinerary according to their group's needs, and to receive information about pricing.
Our itineraries that do have dates and prices already listed are open to all and are guaranteed departure if the minimum number of participants is met.