The "Way of Saint James" – the Pilgrim’s Route to Santiago - all of its various ways, is a World Heritage Site. Those who wish to know Europe well must experience at least one of the routes that lead to the Obradoiro Square and the main façade of the Cathedral. Of all the possible Ways, Du Chatelle proposes the French Way, highlighted by churches, cathedrals, hospitals and inns that are the same as those used by centuries of the faithful and still used by the current travellers.

Duration of travel: 6 days / 6 nights

Day 1

Starting our Way in Roncesvalles, we’ll continue towards Pamplona, famous for its "Sanfermines;" Puente la Reina, junction of pilgrimage routes; Estella, with its small medieval town; Logroño and Nájera. We’ll spend our first night in a luxurious hotel, in the past a hospital for pilgrims.

Day 2

On our second day, we’ll discover the Monasteries of Suso and Yuso, both World Heritage Sites. For lunch, what better than a taste of the delicious regional cuisine in a wine cellar in La Rioja? Travelling among vineyards in the luxuriant countryside, we’ll reach Burgos and admire its cathedral, a Gothic jewel, as well as its other monuments. Later on we’ll travel towards Frómista and Carrión de los Condes. Today we shall sleep in an old 11^th to 16^th century Benedictine Monastery, turned into a comfortable hotel.

Day 3

Today we’ll visit a Roman villa from the 3^rd century and afterward we’ll cross Sahagún, Mansilla de las Mulas, and see León, with its cathedral famous for beautiful stained-glass windows, Hospital de Orbigo, and Astorga, capital of the Maragatería region. During the year 2000, from May to October, "Las Edades del Hombre," a retrospective exhibition of the different religious arts of Castilla-León region (painting, sculpture, "imaginería", etc.) will take place in its cathedral. After visiting the Cathedral and its fairy-tale Archbishop’s Palace designed by Antonio Gaudí, we’ll rest that night in a cozy rustic hotel located in a typical 17^th Century Maragato village.

Day 4

On our fourth day, we‘ll pass through Ponferrada with its impressive Templars’Castle, and Villafranca del Bierzo, an old aristocratic city where pilgrims are expected to stop. We’ll admire the ancient Roman gold mine of Las Médulas, a Wold Heritage Site, and after reaching Galician lands, drive through O’Cebreriro, Samos, Sarriá and Portomarín. This evening we’ll enjoy beautiful views from our magnificent hotel on a lovely lake.

Day 5

Today we’ll explore Vilar de Donas, Palas de Rei, Arzúa and, after just passing by Santiago de Compostela, we’ll head for the Costa de la Muerte (Coast of Death). To contemplate the Christ of Finisterre, or worship the Virgin in Muxia with her stone boat are obligatory rites for any pilgrim. On this fifth day and tomorrow, we’ll spend the night in the Hostal de los Reyes Católicos, considered the oldest hotel in the world.

Day 6

Farewell dinner enjoying extraordinary Galician seafood.

To get personalized information of the WAY OF SAINT JAMES please send an e-mail to:

· santiago@duchatelle.com