The Way of Fisterra - The Way of St. James
The French Way to Santiago de Compostela is the Jacobean route with the greatest historical tradition and the best known internationally.
Also known as the Camino Real, it was established at the end of the 11th century through the north of the peninsula and it is an 800 km route from the French town of Saint Jean Pied de Port to Santiago de Compostela through four main roads. The main routes of this path are described in the fifth book of the Calixtino Codex (Codex Calixtinus), which was an authentic pilgrimage guide to Santiago. Three of them (Paris-Tours, Vézelay-Limoges and Le Puy-Conques) arrive in Spain via Roncesvalles, in Navarra. The fourth (Arles-Toulouse) enters through the Pyrenees, through the Somport pass, and continues through Aragon. The two itineraries come together at Puente La Reina, in Navarra.
Sarria, en la provincia de Lugo, es el punto de inicio mínimo necesario para conseguir la "Compostela". Para obtenerla es obligatorio acreditar que se ha recorrido a pie al menos 100 km, es por eso que el municipio sarriano es, sin lugar a dudas, la localidad donde mayor número de peregrinos inician el Camino de Santiago. Aunque se trata de un recorrido corto, de apenas cuatro o cinco días a pie, los caminantes pueden vivir igualmente la esencia y el espíritu del Camino que ha calado tan hondo en mucha gente.
After going through numerous municipalities and cities such as Logroño, Burgos, León or Astorga, the French Way enters Galicia through El Bierzo.
Sarria, in the province of Lugo, is the minimum starting point necessary to get the "Compostela". To obtain it, it is mandatory to prove that you have traveled at least 100 km on foot, which is why the municipality of Sarria is, without a doubt, the town where the largest number of pilgrims start the Camino de Santiago. Although it is a short journey, just four or five days on foot, walkers can still experience the essence and spirit of the Camino that has penetrated so deeply in many people.
You can travel to Sarria by bus from Santiago de Compostela with connections every day of the year and with a stop at the Santiago-Rosalía de Castro airport and also from Lugo, with numerous daily trips. This same route connects Santiago with such important points as O Cebreiro, Portomarín o Palas de Rei. You can buy your ticket online up to a month in advance on our website and plan your journey with peace of mind.
Top Sites
Consult the most emblematic places of the Camino Frances and leave nothing on your to-do list:
- O Cebreiro: The first town on the Camino in Galicia stands out for its picturesque pallozas and its pre-Romanesque church.
- Triacastela: a small village where you can visit the historic church of Santiago.
- Monasterio de Samos: 6th century Benedictine monastery of great social and religious influence .
- Portomarín: beautiful town on the banks of the river.
- Palas de Rei: The Castle of Pambre and the Pazo de Ulloa cannot be missing from your itinerary.
- Melide: In all places you eat well, but Melide takes the cake.
If you want to enjoy an unforgettable and traditional experience, the Camino Frances is your perfect itinerary to live it like a true pilgrim.