The French way

El Camino, or St James´s way, is the legendary path for pilgrims that crosses the whole of Europe ending up in the city of Santiago de Compostela.

I invite you to discover this route, the one that was called “the French way” and that was followed by French kings. We´ll start our “Way” in the small town of Saint Jean Pied de Port – The Medieval appearance of the Old Quarter will transport us several centuries back in time! Here everything is intended for pilgrims: the church, the shelters and the Spanish gate.

Now we will climb to the top of the Pyrenean Mountains, to the sanctuary of Roncesvalles. On the very peak there is a big shelter, a hospital for those who struggled to make their way up here. A warm place to spend a night with hot food and medical assistance await the pilgrim. A huge stained-glass window in the church on the way stands as a reminder of an epic battle between the Basques and the army of Charlemagne.

The next stop for travellers will be the city of Pamplona. It is likely that some of the French pilgrims, after all the dangers and difficulties of the Way, decided not to go any further but to settle down here.

This is a journey through the history of human civilisation in Europe.