Page 406 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - France
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THE PATH OF PILGRIMS
          For centuries, thousands of dedicated pilgrims
          have made the months-long journey to the cathedral
          at Santiago de Compostela, following paths that
          criss-cross France.

      EXPERIENCE  Poitou and Aquitaine  951. But pilgrims have probably been going to Santiago
          CENTURIES OF PILGRIMAGE
          The first recorded pilgrim was the bishop of Le Puy in
          since 814, soon after St James’s tomb was found.
          Legend has it that strange stars were seen hovering
          over a field in 814 and on 25 July, which now marks the
          feast of Santiago, the saint’s remains were found
          (although subsequent evidence showed that St James’s
          remains were never in Compostela after all). Throughout
          the Middle Ages, millions of Christians travelled to
          Santiago de Compostela in Spain to pay homage at the
          shrine of St James (Santiago). They came from across
          France, staying in monasteries or simple shelters and,
          so legend has it, carried back shells from the Spanish
          coast, proving that they had indeed completed the
          arduous journey. Most pilgrims went in hope of redemp­
          tion and were often on the road for years. Today, there   Scallop shells, carried by
          are 103 trails in Poitou and Aquitaine that are still used   pilgrims to prove they
          by pilgrims travelling between religious sights on the   had completed the
          road to Compostela.                      journey to Compostela

            TOP  WALKING
            3  ROUTES

           Dissay to Poitiers          Did You Know?
           (GR655)
           This 24­km (15­mile)         The symbol of the
           stretch passes the          scallop shell is often
           church of St­Jacques,      carved into doorways
           where an indent in the      of pilgrim­friendly
           stone is, accord ing to     hostels and sights.
           legend, the foot print
           of St James himself.
           Gourgé to Parthenay
           (GR36)
           An easy wander
           through fields and
           medieval pilgrim
           stopovers, past tiny
           shrines, covering
           22.6 km (14 miles).
           Angles-sur-l’Anglin
           to St-Savin (GR48)
           Starting at a medieval
           junction, this 21­km
           (13­mile) route follows
           the river before ducking
           through fields to biblical
           frescoes of St­Savin.



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