The Camino Frances or French Way is the most famous of all the Camino de Santiago routes. It has featured in many documentaries, books, and movies including ‘The Way‘ and ‘I’ll Push You‘. The Camino Frances passes amazing cities and areas of natural beauty such as Pamplona, famous for its bull run; La Rioja wine region and its capital Logroño; Burgos with its magnificent cathedral; elegant Leon and Ponferrada with its Templars Castle. From Ponferrada, the Camino de Santiago enters Galicia through the mountains and picturesque village of O Cebreiro. Read our Camino Frances articles to help inspire your next Camino de Santiago adventure.
Embarking on the Camino Francés offers a unique blend of cultural immersion, historical exploration, and personal challenge. This journey, part of the larger Camino de Santiago pilgrimage routes, weaves through some of the most stunning landscapes and captivating towns of Spain. Whether you’re a seasoned pilgrim or a first-timer, choosing the right starting point can […]
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Portomarín’s Historical Charm Portomarín, nestled in the heart of Galicia, Spain, stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of history and culture. As a vital stop on the Camino Francés, one of the Camino de Santiago‘s most traversed routes, this town captivates travellers with its rich heritage and picturesque setting. In this blog, we
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Explore the Camino Francés, a 790 km journey of exploration and spiritual insight, from St-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostela.
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Discover how difficult the Camino Frances is, the 780 km French Way journey from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostela.
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Camino Francés: A Beginner’s Favourite The Camino Francés often stands out as a top recommendation when talking about beginner-friendly routes. This route starts in St. Jean Pied de Port in France and spans 800 km, crossing over to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Don’t let the length scare you! Many beginners opt to do a
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10 Things to See on The Camino Frances As the most popular of the Camino de Santiago routes, the Camino Frances, also known as the French Way, serves as the best introduction to all the wonderful culture, food and people that populate the Camino de Santiago. While the route is full of unmissable sites and
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Burgos | The Camino Frances Burgos, on the Camino Frances, is situated at the edge of the central plateau and is the capital of the province of the same name, in the autonomous community of Castile and León. The city forms the principal crossway between north Spain and the Camino de Santiago, which goes through
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The Road to Santiago There are three questions hikers and pilgrims ask each other when walking the 1,600-kilometre Santiago de Compostela, or Camino, pilgrimage trail. Where are you from? How far have you walked? How are your feet? The Road to Santiago. A fourth question, “Why?” usually only comes after you’ve shared a bottle (or two)
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Cruz de Ferro | Camino Frances The Cruz de Ferro, or Iron Cross, is a cross on the Camino de Santiago, located between the towns of Foncebadón and Manjarín, on the Camino Frances. It consists of a wooden pole about five feet high surmounted by an iron cross, a replica of the original preserved in
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León: An Insider’s Guide While walking or cycling on the Camino de Santiago to Santiago de Compostela, one should consider a welcome rest in Leon and try to allow themselves some time to visit and absorb the magnificence that is Leon. Much of the surrounding region has escaped the tourist boom and remains wooded or
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Logroño & The Rioja Wine Harvest Festival The city of Logroño, the capital of La Rioja, celebrates its most famous export with the Fiesta de la Vendimia Riojana, the Rioja Wine Harvest Festival, in late September every year. Every September, Logroño honours Saint Matthew but also Bacchus and the region’s best-known produce – La Rioja
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Pamplona | The Camino Frances Pamplona is the capital city of the former kingdom of Navarre, on the Camino Frances, Spain. The city is located in the middle of Navarre, in a rounded valley known as the Cuenca de Pamplona, that links the mountainous North with the Ebro valley and is 92 kilometres from the
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Catherine’s Camino: St Jean Pied de Port to Pamplona Catherine’s Camino I’ll be honest. I didn’t know what to expect. I had seen photos and read books, but leaning on the wisdom of poet, Seamus Heaney who once said, “I’m a firm believer in learning by heart”, I settled with leaving the unknown, unknown. In
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Camino Video: St. Jean Pied de Port to Pamplona | Camino Frances Enjoy this Camino video of the first section of the Camino Frances, St. Jean Pied de Port to Pamplona. This is one of the most varied and picturesque sections of the Camino de Santiago. Pilgrims on this section will pass through breathtaking countrysides
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‘The Way’, starring Martin Sheen and written and directed by his son Emilio Estevez, captivated audiences with its true story of hope and perseverance. Since its release in 2010 (yes 11 years ago!), it has inspired many people to walk the Camino de Santiago, and visit the spots along the Camino Frances and the Camino Finisterre
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The Camino de Santiago is dotted with interesting historical sites. These sites are a wonderful chance to recharge your batteries and immerse yourself in the history of the trail. One of our favourite examples is the imposing Templars Castle of Ponferrada (Castillo de Los Templarios), which is the last big town on The Camino Frances
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The quaint mountain town of Villafranca del Bierzo, on the Camino Frances, is also known as ‘la pequeña Compostela’, little Compostela. Villafranca’s Romanesque Iglesia de Santiago, Saint James Church, is home to the ‘Puerta del Perdón’, the gate or door of Forgiveness. This 12th-century church dedicated to St James is the only other temple along
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Melide: oldest ‘Cruceiro’ in Galicia The lively market town of Melide, along the last section of the Camino Frances from Sarria, is home to what it’s believed to be Galicia’s oldest wayside cross, or ‘Cruceiro’. It is known as the Cruceiro de Melide. In the town centre, you’ll find this cross beside the Chapel of
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A Message from the Camino: Ana from the rural Hotel ‘La Aldea Encantada’ Burgos, Spain Since the start of the Pandemic, we have been in regular communication with our hotels and suppliers on the Camino. Last week we spoke with Ana from the rural Hotel ‘La Aldea Encantada’ in Burgos, Spain. She has a message
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O Cebreiro Traditional Mountain Village on the Camino Frances After the charming town of Ponferrada on the Camino Frances mid-way between Ponferrada and Sarria, the classic Camino de Santiago routes, as you leave El Bierzo behind and enter Galicia, you will reach the tiny mountain village of O Cebreiro. O Cebreiro is as special as
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