Winter-Camino in France

[sugargypsy]

Hi,

I haven't found anything via the search function here so far about a winter-camino in France – but my search may have been not thorough enough. What's it like to walk a chemin de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle in France during winter?

My general interest is at the moment: Are gîtes open at all during winter? I know, that in general one usually has to book in France during main season at least a night before, but what about off-season? Is there an infrastructure that makes it possible to walk the Camino de Santiago during January/February?

If yes, further questions will follow soon ;-)!

Best wishes,

Sugargypsy

 

[Vacajoe]

Which french route specifically? There are a few.

 

[sugargypsy]

Which french route specifically? There are a few.

Well, I'm going to visit my cousin New Year 2022/2023 in St.-Julian-de Cassagnas.

Whatever Camino is close to that area is fine with me ;-).

But as far as I know so far: Le chemin du Puy en Velay will be the closest to start with, which is about 138 km away from St.-Julian-de Cassagnas.

 

[mspath]

Sugargypsy,

Be sure to read this earlier thread
on winter walking in general .
In earlier happier times I often walked the Camino Frances in winter. Wherever you go you must be prepared!

Good luck with your plans!

 

[MaurizioC]

Well, I'm going to visit my cousin New Year 2022/2023 in St.-Julian-de Cassagnas.

Whatever Camino is close to that area is fine with me ;-).

But as far as I know so far: Le chemin du Puy en Velay will be the closest to start with, which is about 138 km away from St.-Julian-de Cassagnas.

Hi ! The chemin d'Arles is not far (80 kms ) and is better in winter. Near St Julien, at Alés (18 kms ), you can take the Voie Regordane to Arles.

 

[MaurizioC]

Voie Regordane to Arles.

....to St Gilles, near Arles.....

 

[Ronald Boivin]

Hi ! The chemin d'Arles is not far (80 kms ) and is better in winter. Near St Julien, at Alés (18 kms ), you can take the Voie Regordane to Arles.

I did the Chemin de Arles or Via Tolosana as it’s called during autumn. Gites Open with reservations then. Few walkers. Hôtels availble. Great quiet walk with lots of pavement. Mountains may be cools. You need great guide maps especially for a few mountainous areas.

 

[JabbaPapa]

But as far as I know so far: Le chemin du Puy en Velay will be the closest to start with, which is about 138 km away from St.-Julian-de Cassagnas.

Actually, the Arles Way is much closer.

If you were to start from Saint-Julian, a short DIY to Alès first ; then downriver on a waymarked trail towards Nîmes, as far as Saint-Chaptes, then another trail away from the valley towards the city.

Then from Nîmes, continue that trail to Saint-Gilles, which is the "real" starting point of the Arles Way.

Le Puy and the Le Puy Way are located on the opposite side of the Massif Central mountain range, and are much further away.