Starting with a Rest Day?

[kmccrom]

Hi everyone! I’m so grateful for this forum. I’ve already learned so much.

I’m doing the GR65- Via Podeinsis followed by the Camino francés from August -November of 2025. I have my ticket (yaaay) to Paris and am trying to decide if I should perhaps stay 2 nights in Le Puy prior to my first walking day, so that I can rest up from the long travel day of flying from Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA to Paris. But I worry that I will be chomping at the bit and too excited to get going, so maybe just one night would be better. Also, I might stay the night in Paris with friends after flying in, or I might take a train directly to Lyon from the airport. What are your thoughts? Is it important to be refreshed on the first day walking? Merci d’avance.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Welcome to the forum, @kmccrom.
Le Puy is an interesting and beautiful city. I would give it the extra day, especially since you have approx. four months total to walk.

 

[ratherbefollowingflechas]

Greetings and welcome to your new addiction! I have learned the hard way that I cannot fly into Spain and start walking the next day. My stomach just cannot adjust to the jet lag, and I just cannot walk without fuel in the furnace. In 2023, we flew into Madrid, then flew to Oviedo and started walking the next morning. My stomach could not keep food down, and after 2 attempts to eat, I finally realized that the only way that I would get to Grado that day was to take a taxi to Escamplero and walk the last half of the day. NOT a great start.

This last May, we flew into Madrid and over-nighted there, with a very long gastronomical tour of the Mercado San Miguel. The next day, we trained to Oviedo, leaving around 10:30 and arriving around 2p, which meant a chance to sleep in, have a lovely breakfast, relax on the train and roll into town in time to get checked into our hotel, complete with stop at the Decathlon to pick up some poles.

Another great evening to adjust to the time difference, and get another meal under my belt. We started the next morning, and I was so good to go. My body was happy, my stomach was happy and my mindset was better than it had ever been during our previous 4 Caminos.

You want to start your first day resfreshed and ready. And even if you don't have stomach issues when you travel, give yourself the extra day. You won't regret it.

Buen Camino

 

[Anamya]

I fly from Australia, so the journey and jet lag can be brutal, even though I'll feel all excited to start walking.
An extra night on the starting place will give you the rest you need to tackle the walk in good shape, and you will have the opportunity to get acquainted with your surroundings, enjoy visiting some interesting places, and give that last check on the backpack, with time for a last minute run to shop or pharmacy if needed.
You have plenty of time, so enjoy it! Buen Camino!

 

[sunflowers]

exciting! yes, plan for two nights...
Le Puy en Velay is a charming and historic place for a pilgrim. A full day is needed; not only to rest and adjust to the new time zone, but to absorb the sights and vibe of your imminent adventure. You can walk your feet off all day, if you like! And you will meet other pilgrims (inevitably).

I have also found that the expected arrival time in France is not a guarantee (last time there was a train strike) and so giving yourself that extra time mitigates any stress..
bon voyage.

 

[David Tallan]

It really depends on the person. For my 2023 Camino, I flew overnight to Madrid and then started walking right away, walking 20km that first day, before my first night's sleep in Spain. But a lot of people appreciate a little rest before they start to walk.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

exciting! yes, plan for two nights...
Le Puy en Velay is a charming and historic place for a pilgrim. A full day is needed; not only to rest and adjust to the new time zone, but to absorb the sights and vibe of your imminent adventure. You can walk your feet off all day, if you like! And you will meet other pilgrims (inevitably).

Well said!

I have also found that the expected arrival time in France is not a guarantee (last time there was a train strike) and so giving yourself that extra time mitigates any stress..
bon voyage.

I dealt with a train strike on my way back to Paris after I finished the Le Puy as far as Auvillar. A bit of a scramble, but it all worked out.

 

[OzAnnie]

I might stay the night in Paris with friends after flying in, or I might take a train directly to Lyon from the airport. What are your thoughts?

Hi @kmccrom
You have set aside up to 4mths travelling away from home - I would set myself up well at the start.
If you don’t regularly get to Paris ., or not likely to return - then definitely unwind there with friends first . Great opportunity -
Next stop Lyon. It’s beautiful and renowned for superb food. My flight into Lyon was delayed and my night there was just that. Enough time to get to our accommodation— I regret missing out on Lyon. I’m not likely to pass by there again.

Next stop Le Puy. We stayed there and really enjoyed it. Lots to see etc.

It’s a gorgeous way. Beautiful.

Is it important to be refreshed on the first day walking? Merci d’avance.

Most definitely. !!

Btw not everyone attends the mass at 7am -
But IMO, it is an experience not to be missed. Most people are not in a hurry either ; as it’s usual to have your night’s accommodation reserved for the night. Many people spill out of the ‘secret’ stairway after the Mass !! But don’t rush. There were markets in the square below as we departed Le Puy where we could purchase some interesting foods ‘for the road ‘.

Enjoy.

 

[Come Walk With Us]

Hi everyone! I’m so grateful for this forum. I’ve already learned so much.

I’m doing the GR65- Via Podeinsis followed by the Camino francés from August -November of 2025. I have my ticket (yaaay) to Paris and am trying to decide if I should perhaps stay 2 nights in Le Puy prior to my first walking day, so that I can rest up from the long travel day of flying from Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA to Paris. But I worry that I will be chomping at the bit and too excited to get going, so maybe just one night would be better. Also, I might stay the night in Paris with friends after flying in, or I might take a train directly to Lyon from the airport. What are your thoughts? Is it important to be refreshed on the first day walking? Merci d’avance.

Le Puy is a beautiful place to stay and explore - several amazing chapels that are definately worth it. That and giving your body a chance to overcome jet lag is a smart idea. From my experience the best place to take a break is 4-5 days into any trek or pilgrimage - after your body has begun to get exhausted from the undertaking. It all comes to knowing how you feel flying across time zones, knowing when you need to stop in order to stay happy. GR65 is amazing you'll love it!

 

[Come Walk With Us]

Hi @kmccrom
You have set aside up to 4mths travelling away from home - I would set myself up well at the start.
If you don’t regularly get to Paris ., or not likely to return - then definitely unwind there with friends first . Great opportunity -
Next stop Lyon. It’s beautiful and renowned for superb food. My flight into Lyon was delayed and my night there was just that. Enough time to get to our accommodation— I regret missing out on Lyon. I’m not likely to pass by there again.

Next stop Le Puy. We stayed there and really enjoyed it. Lots to see etc.

It’s a gorgeous way. Beautiful.

Most definitely. !!

Btw not everyone attends the mass at 7am -
But IMO, it is an experience not to be missed. Most people are not in a hurry either ; as it’s usual to have your night’s accommodation reserved for the night. Many people spill out of the ‘secret’ stairway after the Mass !! But don’t rush. There were markets in the square below as we departed Le Puy where we could purchase some interesting foods ‘for the road ‘.

Enjoy.

Very true morning mass there is a wonderful experience and great way to begin the trek

 

[CTLawGal]

I like a few rest days before I start, I don’t want to fight the fatigue of jet lag and the fatigue of that first week at the same time. For me personally, I feel I’m more vulnerable to getting sick after a long flight if I don’t give my body some time to rest and recover - but everyone’s different. I am walking the GR65 too, starting in Geneva this Spring, walking Via Gebennensis and Via Podiensis and will spend an extra night in Le Puy - as others have noted,it seems like a nice place to spend an extra day. For me, although I’m starting in Geneva, it seemed like a boring place to spend a few days before walking (especially since I had traveled through there 3-4 years ago) so I found good prices to Amsterdam and decided to recover from jet lag leisurely visiting tulip fields and museums, then swing over to Geneva the night before I start walking.

August to November sounds like 4 months, but maybe it’s just 3 full months to stay under the Schengen 90 day limit? 3 months is still a lot and plenty of time to walk from Le Puy to SDC, and on to Fisterre and Muxia if you’ve still get anything left in the tank.

Buen Camino!!