How busy is the Arles route at the moment?

[sharon w]

We will be walking the Arles route from early September. Just wondering how busy it is at present. I read on Facebook that it is wise to book ahead. We have booked the first night but that is all.

 

[Kanga]

We only occasionally met other pilgrims. It got busier after Toulouse, but we still probably only met a couple of pilgrims a day. I think the booking requirement is standard in France. Otherwise you may find the accommodation not open, or no provisions, or booked out by tourists or casual walkers.

 

[karenhypes]

Hi. I would book at least a day ahead. Sometimes we booked two days ahead. There will be some days when you won't be able to 'book' ahead but you won't have any trouble finding a gite. In some of the municipal gites you aren't able to book ahead. We walked in April/May and never had an accommodation issue. Miam Miam Dodo was our resource and probably the most important item we carried. Not many pelerins in the spring but enough that you weren't always alone. Great route and great Chemin. We walked from Montpellier to Puente la Reina and I think it took us 35 days. Enjoy!!!!! Bon Chemin
Dayton and Karen

 

[frida1]

I second everything Dayton and Karen say.

 

[High Endeavours]

Nice to hear and sounds like the same courtesy used on the Le Puy chemin. We (two) will begin on September 21st on World Alzheimer's Day from Lodeve, 3 stages after Montpellier. We plan to walk onwards towards Santiago as a purposeful walk to help raise awareness about Alzheimer's. Really looking forward to wandering along the GR653! I will be blogging as I have done on each of our/my prior walks and will post something on the forum closer to our departure.

 

[sharon w]

Well, to answer my own question. It is relatively busy. Last night there were 9 of us in the Presbytere in Auch. Most days there have been 5 to 6 of us in gites along the way. Because of distance, and in some cases, only a small amount of beds, it is definitely necessary to book ahead.