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The Arles Way: The ancient French route to Toulouse

One of the four main routes in France is the Arles Way, an ancient path that allows you to visit some of the best French destinations such as Toulouse.

Pont du Gard - Pixabay

Pont du Gard - Pixabay

The Camino de Santiago has an enormous historical and cultural heritage behind it. The pilgrimage was born as a religious phenomenon to visit the tomb of the apostle. However, nowadays there are many other reasons to walk the different routes. Beyond universal beliefs, there are thousands of people who every year start their journey with the aim of discovering the deeper meaning of life, as well as connecting with nature or finding answers to many questions. 

The adventurous spirit can lead us to live one of the best experiences in life, and the French Way is one of the most traditional routes. Its history dates back to the ninth century, shortly after the discovery of the remains of St. James the Greater. It has the privilege of being considered the longest street in Europe, and thanks to this we find several branches from France to reach the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.

The Arles Way allows you to discover the best French destinations.

During the Middle Ages up to four main roads were built in the country to get into Spain. France includes up to four different Jacobean routes that unite in the same route after crossing the Pyrenees, which runs from east to west throughout the northern peninsular to reach the Galician capital. One of these four trails is the Camino de Arles, an ancient path that ends at the Port of Somport and allows to know some of the best French destinations such as Toulouse. 

The Arles Way, popularly known as Via Tolosana after its Latin name, crosses all of southern France and passes through the Pyrenees via the Somport Pass. It is crowned as one of the roads with more historical relevance, since it served as a welcome for pilgrims arriving from Italy, Alpilles or Provence. It was also useful in the opposite direction, as those pilgrims departing from Spain and France, took the route to go to Rome. 

All the stages of the Arles Way to the Somport Pass

Although the Arles Way crosses Toulouse, it starts from Arles; a magnificent city in the south of France. With more than 1614 kilometers to Santiago de Compostela, the route can be divided into 32 different stages that can be done in sections to enjoy each of the stops. Once the Somport Pass is reached, pilgrims will have to link up with the Aragonese Way or the French Way from Jaca to find Santiago de Compostela. 

  • Stage 1: Arles - Saint-Gilles
  • Stage 2: Saint-Gilles - Gallargues-le-Montueux 
  • Stage 3: Gallargues-le-Montueux - Vendargues 
  • Stage 4: Vendargues - Montpellier 
  • Stage 5: Montpellier - Montarnaud 
  • Stage 6: Montarnaud - Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert 
  • Stage 7: Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert - Saint-Jean-de-la-Blaquière 
  • Stage 8: Saint-Jean-de-la-Blaquière - Lodève 
  • Stage 9: Lodève - Moons 
  • Stage 10: Lunas - Saint-Gervais-sur-Mare
  • Stage 11: Saint-Gervais-sur-Mare - Murat-sur-Vèbre 
  • Stage 12: Murat-sur-Vèbre - La Salvetat-sur-Agout 
  • Stage 13: La Salvetat-sur-Agout - Anglès 
  • Stage 14: Anglès - Boissezon 
  • Stage 15: Boissezon - Castres 
  • Stage 16: Castres - Dourgne
  • Stage 17: Dourgne - Les Cassés 
  • Stage 18: Les Cassés - Avignonet-Lauragais 
  • Stage 19: Avignonet-Lauragais - Baziège 
  • Stage 20: Baziège - Toulouse 
  • Stage 21: Toulouse - Léguevin 
  • Stage 22: Leguevin - Giscaro
  • Stage 23: Giscaro - L'Isle-Arné 
  • Stage 24: L'Isle-Arné - Auch 
  • Stage 25: Auch - Montesquiou
  • Stage 26: Montesquiou - Marciac
  • Stage 27: Marciac - Maubourguet
  • Stage 28: Maubourguet - Anoye
  • Stage 29: Anoye - Lescar
  • Stage 30: Lescar - Oloron
  • Stage 31: Oloron - Accous
  • Stage 32: Accous - Somport Pass

Continue along the Aragonese Way

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