The key to the road

The beginning of the Holy Compostellan Year (when the festival of Saint James held on 25th July falls on a Sunday) is the ideal time to embrace this aspect of regional heritage and set out along the route!Did you know that 3 of the 4 main routes of the Road to Compostela meet in Aquitaine? The routes converge at the heart of the Basque country, in the tiny village of Ostabat.
(Credit photo: CDT64)

 

Â	Historical background

During the Middle Ages, the discovery of the tomb of Saint James (one of the twelve apostles of Christ) brought Christians from across Europe to Santiago de Compostela. In order to get to Spain, many of them had to cross France. Religious structures erected along the route as well as vineyards for producing the wine for mass, resting places and hospitals built to accommodate and look after the pilgrims, still bear witness to this epic today. 
 

Each person undertakes the journey for a personal reason: to discover the areas steeped in history, culture, emotion and the beauty of the landscapes which they pass. Hiking enthusiasts will often take on a part of one of the routes for a few hours or days.

 

Â	Information sources

:: The brochure published by the Regional Tourist Boards of Aquitaine and Midi-Pyrénées "Routes along the Road to Compostela in South West France", available exclusively to download.   
 

:: The Association for Inter-regional Co-operation – The Routes of the Road to Compostela
4 rue Clémence Isaure – 31000 Toulouse
+33 (0)5 62 27 00 05 - chemins.de.compostelle@wanadoo.fr
http://chemins-compostelle.com
An essential site for preparing your walk. Maps, routes, links to other web sites and an abundance of useful information. 
 

Â	A brief summary of the different routes

Visit the pages of our web site devoted to the routes of the Road to Compostela.Here you will also find a list of monuments listed as world heritage sites by UNESCO, including part of the Puy Route between Aroue and Ostabat (see photo above).
 

Â	A recommended leisure activity in the Landes

The Coastal Way along the Landes coast. A new walk every day from Sanguinet to Tarnos, from 17th April to 2nd May. It’s a simple yet marvellous idea. Every day, walkers meet at the local tourist office at 9am. Make sure you are wearing appropriate footwear, and don’t forget to bring a small rucksack with a bottle of water, cereal bar, sun glasses and sun cream. It is usually Mikel who will be your guide for a circular walk of a maximum of 10 kilometres, open to all. Mikel knows the Coastal Way like the back of his hand and is just as clued up about regional history.
Families, children, novice walkers, nature lovers and experienced hikers are all welcome! This event accompanied by a specialist in the routes of the Road to Compostela takes place within the framework of Printemps des Landes.

 

After the spring holidays, the signposted footpaths are open for unaccompanied walking. 

 

Information: The programme of walks and meeting places from 17th April to 2nd May is available online at the Printemps des Landes website: www.printemps-des-landes.com

 

Â	An recommended break in Béarn

Walking on the routes of the Road to Compostela in Béarn-des-Gaves (Puy and Vézelay Routes) 3 days/2 nights half-board in a Logis de France 2-star hotel. 
 

You will be presented with regional documentation and a road map on arrival. The proposed walks (between 3 and 5 hours) along the Vézelay and Puy Routes do not pose any difficulty. The most interesting monuments and viewpoints are highlighted in the route guide, and the workshop of the craftsmen is located along the route, a local heritage site. Your walk along the Vézelay Route will enable you to discover the towns of Orthez and Sauveterre-de-Béarn while the Puy Route will take you to Navarrenx and the Château de Mongaston. 
 

Prices:
Per person per double room with half-board: from 115 euros.

Per person per single room with half-board: from 159 euros. 
 

Information and bookings:
Béarn-des-Gaves tourist office
Tel: +33 (0)5 59 38 32 82  Fax: +33 (0)5 59 38 02 95
resa@tourisme-bearn-gaves.fr
http://bearndesgaves.resanetonline.com