New Cicerone Guidebook on the Via Podiensis

[Dave]

Hi everyone,

I'm excited to share that next month I have a new guidebook coming out on the Via Podiensis through Cicerone. You can see the overview page here and a pretty significant preview on Google Books. Alison Raju was responsible for the guide for this route for years, and she first drew me to it a long time ago, so I'm honored to follow her work.

Here's a snapshot of what's in the book:

• Stage-by-stage overviews of the GR65, the GR651 (Célé Valley), and the Rocamadour variant (GR6/GR46). This includes detailed maps, elevation profiles, short route descriptions, and quick profiles of village highlights
• Descriptions (including maps, elevation profiles) of the two main options for linking Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and the Camino del Norte: the GR10 and the Voie Nive Bidassoa
• Loads of other variants along the way, including Bonneval and Lalbenque
• A mix of pilgrim accommodations along the way, complemented by this spreadsheet logging most accommodations and services along the route

Basically, I wanted a single-volume book that could get people through from Le Puy to SJPDP or Hendaye/Irún. There were many rounds of revision, to get the word count down to where it needed to be, but I think we made it!

The physical book is scheduled for release on June 15. There will be an ebook, but that typically takes a little longer. Note that lots of online sites, like Amazon US, will have a later availability date (I'm seeing somewhere in October), because Cicerone only distributes to those places a few times annually. To get it as early as possible, order direct from Cicerone. Hopefully we can get it in Ivar's shop, as well as the cathedral bookstore in Le Puy.

Dave

 

[J Willhaus]

Hi Dave,
Congrats on the new book. Wondering how big it will be? I recall one of your other books on the Northern Camino was kind of heavy in weight?
Janet

 

[natefaith]

Congrats, Dave! I'm sure it will be a great resource for those walking the route!

 

[Dave]

Hi Dave,
Congrats on the new book. Wondering how big it will be? I recall one of your other books on the Northern Camino was kind of heavy in weight?
Janet

Cicerone doesn't have an official weight posted yet, Janet, but we can ballpark it. The current Norte/Primitivo guide is 312 pages and 380 grams. This one is set to be 296 pages... so 360 grams?

The earlier editions of the Norte/Primitivo books were on the old paperstock Cicerone used, which was practically indestructible and obnoxiously heavy. They shifted a few years back and found, I think, a pretty good middle ground--lighter, but still resilient enough for the road. I realize it will still be too heavy for some! Fortunately, ebooks.

 

[JustinB]

Drat! I depart Le Puy May 30, but really congratulation on the book.

 

[Anthony Rickaby]

Drat and double drat as I already bought the MMD. I scanned the preview of Dave's book and it has all the accommodation, services and maps a pilgrim needs.

 

[Former member 99290]

Merci @Dave. That’s wonderful. We (my husband and I) look forward to walking the Le Puy way again. Wonderful path It’s really one of my favourites. And not only because that’s where we met back in 2014.

We recently walked the Piemont and were excited to joined the Le Puy just before SJPP. And we are now holidaying In Le Gers, visiting friends. We are staying near Condom. And a few days ago, we stayed two nights in Eauze. Love seeing ‘Les pelerins’ walking by. And have had the opportunity to chat with them and assist a few. Tomorrow we will walk some way on the path to Larressingle and return. And later in the week Lectoure. So many memories of this wonderful Way.

Merci for your hard work. We will definitely seek out your guidebook when the time comes. Congratulations

 

[Dave]

Drat and double drat as I already bought the MMD. I scanned the preview of Dave's book and it has all the accommodation, services and maps a pilgrim needs.

MMD will serve you well! They do really good work. I appreciate the sentiment, though.

 

[AJGuillaume]

Thank you @Dave !

Descriptions (including maps, elevation profiles) of the two main options for linking Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and the Camino del Norte: the GR10 and the Voie Nive Bidassoa

That's something the MMDD doesn't have! Thank you for adding this. We walked the Voie Nive-Bidassoa in 2018.

Hopefully we can get it in Ivar's shop

I'll get a copy from Ivar's shop.

Merci !

 

[LakeMcD]

Congratulations, great news indeed!! Hopefully the ebook will be available for my mid-august start in LePuy this year.

 

[Albertagirl]

Congratulations, great news indeed!! Hopefully the ebook will be available for my mid-august start in LePuy this year.

And for my mid-September start.

 

[BillW]

Pre-ordered a copy. I start from Le Puy on August 16.

Are you going to start the podcast up again?

 

[Kitsambler]

Congratulations, and well done! This resource has long been needed, and will only increase the number of English-speaking pilgrims on the Le Puy route. What's your next project?

 

[ramble-on]

Congratulations! Does anyone have actual experience ordering it for delivery to the USA? It suggests the delivery agent for Cicerone could take up to (or at least, maybe) 30 business days to get it here. Amazon’s release date is not until October. I’m planning a mid-September start and think this new guide would be really useful.

 

[JustinB]

Hi. Finished the GR65 June 30 and will be in Santiago in a couple of days. Is the book available in Ivars store yet?

 

[Albertagirl]

I ordered this book from Canada and paid for it in advance. I received an email on July 15 informing me that the book had been mailed to me and it arrived on July 27, so 12 days to deliver to western Canada from Cicerone Press in Britain. I understand that it is also available to buy for online use. My first impressions of the book are that it seems fairly heavy, possibly from the paper which is used. For me, it is also extremely difficult to read, since the print is tiny, noticeably smaller than in Brierley's guidebook on the Sanabres and Invierno, which I purchased from Ivar's store this summer. I intend to see if I can buy a small magnifier from my local optometrist which will make it possible to read the book when my eyes are tired. As for content, my first general view (I couldn't read much of it) is that it gives a reasonable view of the pilgrim route on the Podiensis, apparently based on a post-pandemic view that private accommodation is not necessary, since I did not see any mention of it in the first chapter. But I may have just missed it, as I have still managed to read very little of the text. There seems to have been a decision to follow sections of routes which are not the actual GR65, so that could be a challenge for some. I would have to read a lot more of it before I could make a reasonable judgement on the content, but it is available and does not take excessive time for delivery to Canada.

 

[Michelle G Daoust]

Congratulations! Does anyone have actual experience ordering it for delivery to the USA? It suggests the delivery agent for Cicerone could take up to (or at least, maybe) 30 business days to get it here. Amazon’s release date is not until October. I’m planning a mid-September start and think this new guide would be really useful.

Hello Ramble-on. If you are starting in Le Puy and there is a book store there, you can contact them to see if they will order it in. I have the guide book waiting for me at Shakespeare and Co. Bookstore in Paris, as I will be spending a few days there before taking the train to Le Puy and beginning my walk on Aug. 7th. I just contacted the store, asked if they do this (order a book, of course pd. For upfront by me) and they were delighted to order it in. Leaving Canada on Sunday, book awaits. Bon Chemin! P.s. I also ordered the MMDD - excellent!

 

[Michelle G Daoust]

Hi everyone,

I'm excited to share that next month I have a new guidebook coming out on the Via Podiensis through Cicerone. You can see the overview page here and a pretty significant preview on Google Books. Alison Raju was responsible for the guide for this route for years, and she first drew me to it a long time ago, so I'm honored to follow her work.

Here's a snapshot of what's in the book:

• Stage-by-stage overviews of the GR65, the GR651 (Célé Valley), and the Rocamadour variant (GR6/GR46). This includes detailed maps, elevation profiles, short route descriptions, and quick profiles of village highlights
• Descriptions (including maps, elevation profiles) of the two main options for linking Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and the Camino del Norte: the GR10 and the Voie Nive Bidassoa
• Loads of other variants along the way, including Bonneval and Lalbenque
• A mix of pilgrim accommodations along the way, complemented by this spreadsheet logging most accommodations and services along the route

Basically, I wanted a single-volume book that could get people through from Le Puy to SJPDP or Hendaye/Irún. There were many rounds of revision, to get the word count down to where it needed to be, but I think we made it!

The physical book is scheduled for release on June 15. There will be an ebook, but that typically takes a little longer. Note that lots of online sites, like Amazon US, will have a later availability date (I'm seeing somewhere in October), because Cicerone only distributes to those places a few times annually. To get it as early as possible, order direct from Cicerone. Hopefully we can get it in Ivar's shop, as well as the cathedral bookstore in Le Puy.

Dave

Looking forward to picking your book I ordered….it awaits me at the Shakespeare and Company bookstore in Paris (spending a few days there before beginning my walk on Aug. 7th). The store was wonderful in ordering the book for me, as it would not have arrived in Canada prior to my departure. Dave, your spreadsheet was invaluable as I planned and plotted my walk from Le Puy to SJPP….thank you!

 

[thistleamy]

Dave congratulations on the book. I just ordered it and have the e-version as well. Looking forward to reading it and getting ready for a planned Podiensis walk in Spring of 2023. I am not sure if you remember me - but we met for coffee over at St. Vincent's about 4 years ago. Since then I have walked a couple of Camino's and I'm looking forward to a many more - you and your podcast have been a great inspiration.

 

[ramble-on]

Thanks, Albertagirl and Michelle. I think I’ll order it in hopes it will arrive before my departure. It may be Cicerone’s delivery agent is simply giving themselves lots of leeway, as they really have little control over the actual shipper. If it doesn’t arrive in time, I’ll download the e-guide and read it on the plane.

JustinB, I checked Ivar’s store today and it’s not listed yet.

 

[hikingcat]

Looking forward to picking your book I ordered….it awaits me at the Shakespeare and Company bookstore in Paris (spending a few days there before beginning my walk on Aug. 7th). The store was wonderful in ordering the book for me, as it would not have arrived in Canada prior to my departure. Dave, your spreadsheet was invaluable as I planned and plotted my walk from Le Puy to SJPP….thank you!

How exciting to visit Shakespeare and Co, and pick up your guidebook there! What a great idea. Wishing you a bon chemin, Michelle.

A huge thanks to Dave from me as well - the spreadsheet has been an incredible resource for planning. My copy of the guidebook shipped on 13 July, but it hasn't reached Australia yet...

 

[Albertagirl]

I have been trying to act on various information in the guidebook, as it relates to my arrival in Le Puy and the first days of walking. On advice from a forum member who walked this route, I decided to sign in to the luggage transport service. I do not know whether I shall need to use it, as I have not yet made any onward reservations from Le Puy, but I thought it a good idea to register. However, I find that, if I understand correctly, reservations must be made and paid for a minimum of eight days in advance. This must mean that I am required to have accommodation arrangements at least eight days in advance. I have none so far, after Le Puy. Has anyone used the service of La Malle Postale recently, to know how it currently works? I was not even able to register, as I was not able to fill in the required French telephone number, which I shall only get after I arrive in France. At the moment, failing information that makes sense, I have decided to go the their office in Le Puy when I arrive, have a French telephone number and have made a few bookings, to see if I can become a member and make some initial reservations for luggage transfer. Any clarification of this procedure would be welcome.

 

[ramble-on]

I ordered Dave’s new guidebook on July 29th. It shipped on August 2nd and I received it on August 10th in the northeastern US. Very satisfactory experience. I’m now enjoying reading it

Has anyone had difficulty in converting the Cicerone GPX files to KLM files? Specifically, I get an error message when I try to convert the files #23 through 26 (the route from Air-sur-l’Adour to Navarrenx). All the others for the route and the Cele variant converted without a problem.