Le Puy to Santiago or Saint Jean to Finisterre?

[Bear]

I walked the Camino Frances in 2012 from Saint Jean to Santiago with my wife and we are hoping to walk again this year as we enjoyed it so much.

We have heard the Le Puy route is also a fabulous experience and would appreciate opinions as to walking the Camino Frances again, but this time to Finisterre, walking the Le Puy route to Saint Jean as an alternative or walking the full route from Le Puy to Finisterre.

Thankfully, time is not an issue although cost is obviously a consideration.

We would hopefully start walking after Easter, towards the end of April 2014.

We have retained a basic level of fitness and walk around 7km everyday, with occasional 14km walks so fitness is not an issue as there is plenty of time to increase our activity levels.

 

[colinPeter]

Hello Bear,
Welcome to the forum.
Can't offer you a great deal of advice as have not walked Le Puy, yet. Planning to do that after Easter ourselves.
One issue to consider is time factor (90 days Schengen visa if you're from outside the Euro zone), particularly if you like to take your time and if you are quicker whether you want to walk from SJPP on in June/July.
I enjoyed going on to Finisterre last time, but much preferred finishing at Muxia (unfortunately, the beautiful church was badly damaged recently).
Buen Camino
Colin

 

[Bear]

Thanks Colin,

I'm ok as regards the visa as I'm from the UK and currently living in Southern Spain.

We walked in June/early July 2012 and only had 2 uncomfortably hot days.

It's a good thought to finish in Muxia as I have no reason to return to Santiago other than following a Brierley guide.

Best wishes,

Michael

 

[Deleted member 3000]

France is more expensive than Spain. One reason is that you have the option of demi-pension in many accommodations, and that costs 27-32E per person (bed, dinner, and breakfast). When you add lunch, coffee, and snacks, expect to spend 35-40E per day per person. Fewer accommodations have kitchens for self-catering, so you will find yourself taking the demi-pension. You will enjoy the variety of food and chefs, so I view the cost as money well spent, but it is not like bocadillos and menu peregrino day after day and a 7E bunk bed. Many accommodations are rooms in private homes.

 

[Bear]

France is more expensive than Spain. One reason is that you have the option of demi-pension in many accommodations, and that costs 27-32E per person (bed, dinner, and breakfast). When you add lunch, coffee, and snacks, expect to spend 35-40E per day per person. Fewer accommodations have kitchens for self-catering, so you will find yourself taking the demi-pension. You will enjoy the variety of food and chefs, so I view the cost as money well spent, but it is not like bocadillos and menu peregrino day after day and a 7E bunk bed. Many accommodations are rooms in private homes.

Thanks falcon269, do you have a preference for the Le Puy Route or the Camino Frances in term of which you enjoyed the most?

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Hands down, the Le Puy route wins!!!

 

[Bear]

What made the Le Puy route more enjoyable for you?

 

[Deleted member 3000]

The pilgrims (mostly French), the French hospitality, the food, the pastries, and the town square markets. The scenery also is great, and several of the accommodations were monasteries. One, now closed, was on the site of an archeological dig of a second century Roman bath house. The churches and chapels are mostly open. Graffiti is less; the litter is less. The ambiance is that the pilgrims are less driven, more religious, and stop to enjoy cultural sites more often. Yet, the pilgrims seem to cover a lot of distance. I am a slow walker, so it is not unusual that others move ahead, but the French were more regularly walking 30km days, while I crapped out after 20-23! For me that just means always making new friends.

Still, the Camino Frances is the hands down winner for sheer convenience. I can pretty much grab my pack and head for it, knowing that beds and food are waiting every 5 km!

 

[Bear]

You have summed up my dilemma perfectly when you say "Still, the Camino Frances is the hands down winner for sheer convenience. I can pretty much grab my pack and head for it, knowing that beds and food are waiting every 5 km!"

The Le Puy route sounds a great experience.

Many thanks for your help.