Camino de Santiago

The French Way of St. James (or the French Jacobean Route) is the most popular, historic and travelled pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela in Europe.

Main Characteristics

• Route: It crosses northern Spain from east to west, from the Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela.
• Starting Point: It traditionally begins in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port (France) and enters Spain through Roncesvalles (Navarre).
• Distance: Approximately 780 kilometres from Roncesvalles.
• Stages: It is commonly divided into about 31–33 walking stages, depending on the pilgrim's planning.
• Duration: It usually takes between 28 and 35 days to complete it entirely on foot.

Why is it the most popular route?

1. History: It is the route with the greatest historical tradition, consolidated since the Middle Ages as the main pilgrimage route.
2. Infrastructure: It has the best infrastructure for pilgrims, with a large number of hostels, services, restaurants and shops along the entire route.
3. Landscapes: It offers a great diversity of landscapes, from the Pyrenees and the plains of the Central Plateau to the green Galician valleys.
4. Culture and Heritage: It passes through cities and towns of great cultural and historical importance, such as Pamplona, Logroño, Burgos, León and Ponferrada.

Key Points on the Route

• Roncesvalles: The mythical entrance to Spain after crossing the Pyrenees.
• Pamplona: Famous for its walls and the San Fermín festivals.
• Logroño: Capital of La Rioja, known for its wine and gastronomy.
• Burgos: It is essential to visit its Gothic Cathedral.
• León: Its cathedral and the Basilica of San Isidoro are must-see stops.
• Ponferrada: The Templar Castle is a symbol of the route.
• O Cebreiro: The passage into Galicia, known for its pallozas and impressive views.
• Santiago de Compostela: The final destination, with the famous Obradoiro Square and the Cathedral.

📍 Location and contact

• Coordinates: The French Way of St. James is a long route and the coordinates vary along the nearly 800 kilometres of the route. Here are the coordinates of the two main points of the French Way in Spain: the start (Roncesvalles) and the end (Santiago de Compostela).
• Coordinates of the start in Spain: Roncesvalles
  • Latitude: 43º 0′ 14″ N
    Longitude: 1º 18′ 54″ W
• Coordinates of the end: Santiago de Compostela
  • Latitude: 42º 52′ 49″ N
    Longitude: 8° 31' 32.5" W
• Official and Institutional Websites
  • Pilgrim Reception Office of Santiago de Compostela: oficinadelperegrino.com. It is the official body that manages the pilgrim credentials and the “Compostela”. They offer general information about all the routes.
  • Spanish Federation of Associations of Friends of the Camino de Santiago: www.caminosantiago.org. It brings together the associations that support pilgrims in Spain, with useful information about hostels and route maintenance.

☎ Telephone

• Pilgrim Reception Office (Santiago de Compostela): For matters related to arrival, the credential or the Compostela. +34 981 56 88 46
• Spanish Federation of Associations of Friends of the Camino de Santiago: For general information and support for pilgrims. +34 941 245 674

📱 Social Media

• Communities and Popular Guides
  • Facebook – Group "Amigos del Camino de Santiago" (Gronze.com): www.facebook.com. This is probably the largest and most active Facebook group, where thousands of pilgrims share experiences, advice and news about the French Way.
  • Facebook – "Camino de Santiago": www.facebook.com. Page with general news and visual content related to the Jacobean route.
  • Instagram – Gronze: @gronze. They publish photos, tips and updates about hostels along the route.
• Official Profiles
  • Twitter – Pilgrim Office of Santiago de Compostela: @oficinadelperegr. They publish official information about the arrival of pilgrims, the “Compostela” and events in Santiago de Compostela.
  • Instagram – Pilgrim Office: @oficinadelperegrino.

🕒 Opening Hours

The French Way of St. James does not have opening or closing hours, as it is a continuous pilgrimage route. However, there are key schedules that you should take into account when planning your journey.

Hostel schedules

• Arrival time: Most hostels open their doors in the afternoon, generally between 13:00 and 15:00, so that pilgrims can settle in after the stage.
• Departure time: The usual departure time is in the morning, around 8:00, so that the cleaning staff can prepare the facilities for the next pilgrims.
• Curfew: Many hostels have a curfew, often between 22:00 and 23:00, to guarantee everyone’s rest.

Public hostels: Reservations are not allowed, and places are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

Private hostels: During high season, it is advisable to book in advance, as availability may be limited.

Schedules in Santiago de Compostela

• Cathedral of Santiago: Open every day from 7:00 to 21:00. Access to the tomb of the Apostle is available during this time.
• Cathedral Museum: The general opening hours are 10:00 to 20:00, from Monday to Sunday. Check their website for exceptional closures.
• Pilgrim’s Mass: Several masses are celebrated each day at the main altar of the Cathedral.
• Usual schedule: 7:30 / 9:30 / 12:00 / 19:30

Note: Schedules may vary, so it is recommended to consult the official website of the Cathedral (catedraldesantiago.es) to confirm them.

Pilgrim Office: Open all year round from 10:00 to 18:00. Closed on 25 December and 1 January. If you arrive on those days, you can obtain the Compostela in the sacristy of the Cathedral.

Starting schedules in Roncesvalles

• Roncesvalles Hostel: It opens in the afternoon for pilgrims arriving in the town. To know the schedules of the chapel, masses and pilgrim reception, it is best to consult its official website.
• Additional information: In general, pilgrim reception begins in the afternoon, and mass and blessing services take place throughout the day.

💸 Fees

The French Way of St. James does not have a fixed “fee”, since it is a public route. However, the expenses associated with the pilgrimage are varied and depend on the budget and style of each pilgrim.

Main Costs

• Accommodation:
  • Public hostels (municipal/associations): They usually have a fixed price or suggested donation, normally between €8 and €12 per night.
  • Private hostels: Prices usually range between €12 and €20 per night.
  • Hostels/Guesthouses: Higher prices, starting from €30 per night.
  • Food: Most bars and restaurants along the French Way offer the “Pilgrim’s Menu”, which includes a starter, main course, drink and dessert, with a price usually between €10 and €15.
• Additional Costs
  • Pilgrim Credential: The credential, necessary to stay in public hostels and obtain the Compostela, costs around €2 and can be obtained at associations of friends of the Camino or at the beginning of the route (Roncesvalles).
  • Backpack transport: Many companies offer services to carry your backpack from hostel to hostel for a fixed fee of about €6–€8 per stage.
  • Transport to the starting point: The cost of reaching Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port or Roncesvalles depends on your starting point.

Estimated Daily Budget: A pilgrim with a tight budget staying in public hostels and eating daily menus can spend between €30 and €45 per day.

👥 Capacity

The French Way of St. James does not have a fixed “capacity” as such, since it is an open-air route of almost 800 kilometres. However, the reception capacity is measured by hostel occupancy and attendance at key events such as the Pilgrim’s Mass in Santiago de Compostela.

Hostel Occupancy

• Variable capacity: The capacity of hostels, both public and private, varies greatly depending on their size and the section of the Camino.
• Crowding in high season: The greatest crowding occurs in the summer months (July and August) and in the final section of the Camino, from Sarria.
• Recommendation: In high season it is advisable to start walking early to arrive in time and secure a bed, or book in advance in private hostels.

Capacity in the Cathedral of Santiago

• Pilgrim’s Mass: The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela has an estimated capacity of 1,500 people.
• Special events: On days such as 25 July (Saint James’ Day) attendance is at its highest and it is recommended to arrive well in advance.

Pilgrim Statistics

• Annual figures: In recent years the number of pilgrims who have completed the Camino has reached record figures, with more than 400,000 Compostelas delivered per year.
• Distribution: Despite the large influx, studies indicate that the Camino has sufficient reception capacity to avoid extreme saturation, although the distribution of pilgrims varies greatly depending on the season and the section.

♿ Accessibility

The French Way of St. James is not completely accessible in all its sections for people with reduced mobility, but it is considered the most accessible route among all Camino options. Thanks to the efforts of various entities such as Fundación ONCE and associations such as DisCamino, improvements have been made to facilitate the experience.

Procedures and Preparation

• Necessary planning: It is essential to plan in advance. The route cannot be improvised like a pilgrim walking.
• Consultation: Fundación ONCE has developed a specialised website that analyses the accessibility of more than 400 points of interest along the French Way.
• Accessible agencies: There are also specialised travel agencies such as TUR4all, which organise accessible itineraries with sections suitable for wheelchairs.

Limitations and Adaptations

• Terrain and slopes: The route crosses different types of terrain (mountain, plains, forest) that are not always accessible for wheelchairs.
• Infrastructure: Although there are many hostels and services, not all of them are fully adapted.
• Most Accessible Sections
• The final section of the Camino, from Sarria to Santiago, is the most travelled and usually the most accessible.

In summary, although there are limitations, planning and the support of specialised organisations can make the French Way of St. James a possible and rewarding experience for people with reduced mobility.