On the way of Saint James

Since the 9th-Century, Nouvelle-Aquitaine has been traversed by pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, on the most famous pilgrimage route in Europe. Six major Jacobean routes converge in the region, crossing preserved landscapes and historic monuments, 26 of which are classified as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. On foot, by bike, on horseback, in a motorhome, you will meet believers but also the curious, art or sport lovers and friends of nature.

>> THE TOURS ROUTE

DAY 1 : Poitiers

City of a hundred bell towers, with its must-visit Notre-Dame-la-Grande, a masterpiece of Romanesque art; including the Saint-Hilaire church, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site Saint-Pierre cathedral, the Saint-Jean baptistery (dating from Merovingian times). Next to Poitiers, stopover at the Abbey of Saint-Savin, another UNESCO heritage site featuring the largest collection of mural paintings in Europe from the 11th and 12th-Centuries.

DAY 2 : Saintes

Visit Abbaye aux Dames, former Benedictine abbey created in 1047, the first women’s abbey in Saintonge. Today, music is at the heart of the abbey with a festival, and concerts. Then, head to Pons and its Pilgrims’ Hospital (on UNESCO World Heritage List). 

DAY 3 : Bordeaux

A city with three Jacobean churches, registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List: the Basilica of Saint-Seurin, famous for its crypt containing 5th-Century remains, is a major place of antiquity; Saint-André Cathedral, the most beautiful religious
monument in Bordeaux; The Basilica of Saint-Michel and its imposing bell tower.

DAY 3 : Dax

The cathedral, in the classical “neo-Greek” style, was built between the middle of the 17th-Century and the end of the 19th-Century. Gallo-Roman walls, and hot a hotspring dating back to antiquity. Stopover to the Benedictine Abbey in Sordel’Abbaye
with three remarkable architectural features: the abbey church built at the end of the 11th-Century, the monastery buildings, and the villa of the Abbots.

DAY 4 : Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

The Notre-Dame church, built on the ramparts, has a 13th-Century foundation and is one of the most important Basque Gothic buildings. The Santiago Gate has UNESCO World Heritage status. 

 

>> THE VEZELAY ROUTE

DAY 1 : Poitiers and the Abbey of Saint-Savin

DAY 2 : Limoges

Crypt of Saint-Martial, the crypt was located under the former Benedictine abbey of Saint-Martial, founded in the 11th-Century and was destroyed in 1792. It contains the last remains of the important necropolis where Saint-Martial was buried.

DAY 3 : Périgueux

Saint-Front Cathedral, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Romano-Byzantine style, it recalls Saint Mark’s Basilica in Venice, and was built in the 12th-Century. 
Mont-de-Marsan: Don’t forget to visit the Church of the Madeleine, followed by the “Notre-Dame-du-Rugby” chapel.

DAY 4 : Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

The Notre-Dame church, built on the ramparts, has a 13th-Century foundation and is one of the most important Basque Gothic buildings. The Santiago Gate has UNESCO World Heritage status. 

Lourdes, one of the world’s most important places of Catholic pilgrimage, is also nearby.

DAY 5 : Santiago de Compostela

Place of arrival for the Way of Saint James to receive the compostela (kind of diploma proving that the pilgrimage has been carried out) and this is also where the Apostle Saint James lies buried.