The Way of St James
Legend has it that the martyred body of the apostle St James was transported from Palestine to the Atlantic coast of Spain for burial. The church built on his grave in Santiago de Compostela, became a focus for pilgrims who walked there from France along the ‘Camino de Santiago’. Our section of the historic route takes us into deepest France and the wonderfully remote countryside of the Massif Central. Within France, by the 12th century, there were four different routes for pilgrims on the ‘Chemin de St Jacques’ or French Way of St James on their way to Santiago in Spain. Of the four, the earliest recorded and best preserved is that which starts at Le Puy. We too start in this fascinating town. Our pilgrimage will bring us to Conques, an unspoilt medieval town where the narrow streets still cluster round the magnificent Abbey church of St Foy.
