Stages of the "Pyrenean Piedmont" way

(Partially reviewed automatic translation. Will appear by stages when printing)

Saint-James halts of the “Way of Pyrenean Piedmont from Narbonne and Carcassonne towards Lourdes and Santiago”

Preliminary stages of access to Narbonne

- Port la Nouvelle - Narbonne: for a departure from the Mediterranean Sea

- Coursan - Narbonne: junction with the Way of Arles by Sète and Béziers

- or see St Pierre la Mer or Narbonne Plage - Narbonne on http://vppyr.free.fr/

Preliminary PORT LA NOUVELLE - NARBONNE

Description of the course (marked out red and yellow GRP "Path of the Ancient Gulf")

Single track: 22 kilometres

All the ways lead to Santiago: note that at the angle of the parochial house of Port la Nouvelle, you will see yellow arrows which will carry you to it through… the Spanish Piedmont !

From the church of Port la Nouvelle, located at 200 m of the station, join the quays and cross the pedestrian footbridge, continue and follow then the GRP through the saltworks, Sainte Lucie island (house, km 6), the ponds (house, km 7,8), and which penetrates by the Robine Canal (Domain Petit Craboulette, km 15,4) in the centre of Narbonne (cathedral, km 22).

A unique path, in the middle of water, but remember the wind-cutter! PerhapSainte will remember the crossing of the Sea of the reeds (Exodus 14) and the Christian symbolism took again this topic of the passage through water as an image of the baptism: you're now baptized pilgrim for a true sending tomorrow!

Preliminary COURSAN - NARBONNE

Description of the course (course not marked out)

Single track: 9,1 kilometres

Leaving the presbytery of Coursan, exit through the Rue du Marché to join on the left the Avenue Frederic Mistral.

Km 0,4: After having crossed the channel bordered of trees of Grand-Vignes, take on the right the Avenue of General de Gaulle (dead end), then always on the right the Chemin de Blanche Fougasse.

Km 0,8: Pass under the railway, and turn at once left towards the district of Pardeilhane.

Km 1,1: At the goose leg, take towards the right to go towards the place known as “La Barquette”.

Km 2,7: Take the small road on the left in direction of the localities “Petit-Rivage” (km 3), “Rivage-Haut” (km 3,3) and which ends on the Ricardelle Canal (km 3,6). Continue this small road on the left and which then crosses the Canal to continue towards the locality of “Petit-Fidèle” (km 4,9).

Cross the Lastours Canal, and continue towards the places known as “Grand-Fidèle” (km 5). Pass to the foot of the cross and continue towards the place known as “Petit-Jalabert” (km 5,6), “Petit-Condom” (km 6), “Marchenoir” (km 6,4), “Petit-Belvèse” (km 6,7).

Km 7: 360 m after the place known as of “Petit-Belvèse”, take on the left to pass under the by-pass, skirt the dechettery, continue straight and pass close to the pumping station.

Km 7,5: Junction with the D.913, continue on 210 metres to take on the left the footbridge which spans the railway. At the end, take on the right the Carnot Avenue. Pass in front of the railway station. At the goose leg, 250 metres further, take on the left the Boulevard Frederic Mistral and climb on the left stairs which carry out towards the Poudrière, the Centre International de Séjour and the Cathedral.

Route of junction towards Pyrenean Piedmont coming from Sète-Béziers. It is acted in fact of the “Domitienne Way”, which comes from Italy through the Montgenèvre Pass and which continues towards Spain. It will be found here or there, as at the Abbey of Frontfroide where it carries also its old name, “Voie Héracléenne”. Indeed, it was, well before the Romans, a terrestrial way between Italy and Cadiz. A walk for those who want to go only to Narbonne, but a longer and hard stage for those who would like to go directly to the Abbey of Gaussan.

Lodging

PORT la NOUVELLE Saint-James Halt

Church hall, Parish Notre Dame de Bon voyage,

7 Rue Rouget of Lisle, 11210 Port la Nouvelle (angle Street Dupleix). Kitchen.

Call in advance:

Father Luc Caraguel, Tel. +33/(0) 6.83.64.50 .11, E-mail: kto.littoralcorbiere @ free.fr

COURSAN Saint-James Halt

Presbytery of Coursan, Parish Notre Dame de la Clape, 7 Rue du Marché, 11000 Coursan.

Abbot De Soos. Tel. +33/(0) 4.68.33.55 .44 or +33/(0) 4.68.33.51 .04. Call 3 days in advance.

NARBONNE

- No pilgrim lodging: see the Tourist bureau or the Centre International de Séjour (reception of individuals only if there is a group already booked), or get information from Mr. Bernard Schürr about the future possibilities of lodging: Tel. 04 68 33 83 46.

- Welcome: Parish, Mayran Abbot

- E-mail: j.mayran@wanadoo.fr

- Mass (followed by the blessing of pilgrims) in the Collegial Saint-Paul,

Rue de l’Hôtel Dieu 11100 Narbonne. Precise information on the spot.

Saint-James halts of the “Way of Pyrenean Piedmont from Narbonne and Carcassonne towards Lourdes and Santiago”

Port la Nouvelle, Coursan, Narbonne, Gaussan, Lagrasse, Rieunette, Notre-Dame de Marceille, Carcassonne , Fanjeaux, Larché, Mirepoix, Le Carlaret, Pamiers, Le Mas d’Azil, Saint Lizier, Alas, Buzan, Portet d'Aspet, Castillon en Couserans, Saint-Bertrand de Comminges, Bagnères de Bigorre, Lourdes, Lestelle Bétharram, Asson, Arudy, Lurbe Saint-Christau, Accous, Mauléon-Soule, Saint-Just Ibarre.

Description at July 18, 2008 partially confirmed on the ground

Complementary info on the www.webcompostella.com site

www.Webcompotella.com

Saint-James halts of the “Way of Pyrenean Piedmont from Narbonne and Carcassonne towards Lourdes and Santiago”

Stage 1 NARBONNE - GAUSSAN Monastère Notre Dame de Gaussan

Description of the courses (not marked out courses, some black arrows and shells)

1. Direct road way through Bizanet: 16,8 km

2. Road way through the Abbey de Fontfroide: 21,2 km

3. Nature path through the Abbey de Fontfroide: 21,9 km

1. and 2. Leaving the Cathedral in Narbonne, cross the Pont (covered bridge) DES Marchands, join the Place DES Pyrenees, take the Rue DES Fours A CHAUX, then on the left the Rue DES Corbières, pass under the railway and turn immediately right. Follow as long as possible this small road which becomes a track (Chemin DE Cap de Pla), skirting the railway on its left side. When the track ends to pass under the railway, continue in the same direction going down towards a track in the bottom of the valley (either by the a little stiff way opposite, or more quietly by a path backwards). This track skirts a career on the left then continues between vines and scrubland. At the ruin, take in front the red track towards a yellow and white silo locatable (km 6,2).

The simplest is to rejoin here the road by crossing the foundation raft, in order to follow this small road on the left skirting the industrial park “Moulin”. Or it is also possible to continue following frontward the (dry) Ruisseau Veyret on its left to avoid a portion of attended road: it will then be necessary to circumvent by the left a died tree across the way and then to follow vine tracks as long as desired, the last access to rejoin the road on the right being a small road 700 m after a house on the left and a ruined tower on the right, little before a ruined castle.

Once on the D.613 follow it on the left till the fork (km 8,7) which leads on the right through the D.224 to Bizanet. Two possibilities are offered at this point, either to turn right towards Bizanet (direct way, possible supply), or to continue straight to pass by the Abbey of Fontfroide (visit advised for those who don't know it):

Continuation 1. Direct way by Bizanet: The road engages into the Combes of Valentine. Pass in front of the farm of Mont Grand. At the entrance of Bizanet, cut left (Rues de Berau and DE LA COTE) towards the centre (km 13), then at the church continue straight by the D.423 (Rue of Chêne) in direction of Saint-Andre de Roquelongue. Pass the cemetery, the “Croix de Narbonnès”, cross the motorway “DES Deux Mers”, overpass the Domains “Les Pradels” and “Gaussan Rosiers”, to arrive at the Monastery of Gaussan located on the right.

Continuation 2. Road way by the Abbey of Fontfroide: At the junction with the D.613, continue thus straight on 4,1 km till the entry of the road called “Voie Domitienne or Héracléenne” (km 12,8) which further leads to the Abbey of Frontfroide 1,6 km (km 14,4).

After the visit return to the carpark, join again the D.613 (km 16) and turn left in direction of St. Laurent de la Cabrerisse. 4 km further, after the Domain of La Chaussée, one can cross on the right through vines towards the Domain of Petit Gaussan. Turn right on the D.423. The monastery is in front of you.

3. Forest path through the Abbey of Fontfroide:

! Crossing the Fontfroide Massif can be dangerous by fire hazards !

Leaving Narbonne, join the Place des Pyrénées, take the Rue des Fours à chaux, then on the left Rue des Corbières, pass under the railway and take opposite Chemin des Fours à chaux. Follow it skirting the industrial park of Plaisance in order to pass over the highway. We are at the entrance of a small wild valley, with increasingly built heights (“Hauts de Narbonne”). Follow the small road which transforms into track and climbs towards the top of Villa de Fargues. Leave a career on the left to join a 4x4 track which goes down on the motorway side. Cross the bridge on the motorway and continue 1 km to reach the Domain of Joncquières (km 7,6).

Continue the small road which leaves the buildings behind, till a gas pumping station. Take there on the left a track suitable for motor vehicles marked out VTT (mountainbike) (“Chemin du Communal”). Follow it on approximately 3 km (overall in crest, it passes 4 square terminals, a water tank “F03”, leaves a red VTT track on the right, goes down on a small collar then goes up close to the Pech du Loup, alt. 274 m). One arrives then at a crossing of tracks (km 12,7) where one goes down to right angle on the right, then again on the right 200 m further, to plunge towards the Abbey of Fontfroide, facing the Hill of Fontfroide surmounted by its cross. Circumvent it by the left to reach the Abbey (km 14,7).

After the visit join the entry of the carpark, and take on the left the track named “Chemin de l'Aragnon” which goes up in a rather abrupt way on the first 170 metres and which then curves in the forest of Fontfroide: follow this track on 1600 metres (at the first crossing go straight, at the second go right) to reach the altitude 224 m (pylon on the top on the left). After crossing the Combe du Désert, take on the right the way which goes down in an abrupt way on 1,5 km towards the Domain of “Saint Martin de Toques”, overhanging the brook of Combe du Désert, facing the castle. Continue straight by the small road which leads in 900 m to the D.613. Follow it on the left on 1 km and take the track on the right which crosses towards the Domain of Petit Gaussan and leads to D.423. The monastery is opposite.

The attention is drawn on the fact that this route is not marked out, and that on the forest parts of route 3, the risks of getting lost exist. Moreover, it uses tracks or paths through zones where the fire hazards are important during summer. Thus this route can be prohibited by the local authorities for reasons of safety. It remains possible in this case to use the road alternative, and in all the cases to mix routes 2 and 3 (road until Fontfroide then mountain: 21,6 km; mountain then road: 21,5 km).

Lodging

MONASTERY NOTRE DAME DE GAUSSAN

Saint-James halt. Tel. +33/(0) 4.68.45.19 .92.

Welcome in a detached house with kitchen. Opening from 15h.

Mass: low at 7 AM, sung at 10 AM. Vespers: 5 PM Sunday, otherwise 5:30 PM (7 PM in summer).

Saint-James halts of the “Way of Pyrenean Piedmont from Narbonne and Carcassonne towards Lourdes and Santiago”

Port Nouvelle, Coursan, Narbonne, Gaussan, Lagrasse, Rieunette, Notre-Dame de Marceille, Carcassonne, Fanjeaux, Larché, Mirepoix, Carlaret, Pamiers, Mas d' Azil, Saint Lizier, Alas, Buzan, Portet d' Aspet, Castillon in Couserans, Saint-Bertrand of Comminges, Bagnères de Bigorre, Lourdes, Lestelle Bétharram, Asson, Arudy, Lurbe Saint-Christau, Accous, Mauléon-Soule, Saint-Just Ibarre.

Description at July 18, 2008 confirmed on the ground.

Complementary info on the www.webcompostella.com site
www.Webcompotella.com

Saint-James halts of the “Way of Pyrenean Piedmont from Narbonne and Carcassonne towards Lourdes and Santiago”

Stage 2 GAUSSAN - LAGRASSE Abbaye Canoniale Sainte Marie de Lagrasse

Single track: 24,6 kilometres

Description of the course (seldom marked out course, some black arrows and shells)

Gaussan. Leave the Abbey of Gaussan and join D.423. Turn right to join 800 m further the D.613. Follow it until the place named “Les 3 Mongettes” (km 2,5) and take the D.61 on the right. Pass a first street, then take on the left a way marked “propriété privée”, leaving it on the left. Follow this vine track, which passes in front of two vine cottages, and joins the D.123 (km 3,5). Follow it towards left on 100 metres and take at the vine cottage the track on the right. It goes 300 m further towards a thicket, than one circumvents by the left, to arrive at the tar vis-a-vis a large masonry.

Domain of FONT-Sainte. If one has a detailed map it is possible to pass in forest climbing the track which passes in front of the Domain, then the chapel St Siméon, a survey tower, a cistern, and goes down to Villerouge LA Crémade (count 1 good km more; map and help available on request from bernard.schurr @ gmail.com).

Otherwise take the track on the left towards Les Olieux (km 5,7) where the tar is found again. Continue until the D.613 (km 6,6). Take right and follow it on 2,6 km, then, at the level of a group of yews, take on the right the track which leads in diagonal to the village of Villerouge LA Crémade (km 10,3).

Villerouge LA Crémade. At the entrance of the borough, take left then again left towards the chapel and the D.106 that one crosses (at the level of the bus stop). 90 metres further, turn right then immediately left to enter the district of “Grange Basse”. 1,5 km further (250 m before the elbow on the left of the road), take the vine track on the left which leads to the D.611 (km 12,8). Follow the D.611 (caution !) on the left over 500 metres (overpass the Domain Les Palais), then take the small road which leaves in skew on the right and leads directly to the St LAURENT DE LA CABRERISSE (km 15,9; possible supply).

St LAURENT DE LA CABRERISSE . Take right in the village towards the church, cross the bridge, and 150 m after, before a small palm tree in a pot, take on the right the street “Chemin DE Margues” which goes to the district “LA Tuilerie”. 400 metres further cross the bridge which spans the brook (“Tournissan”) and turn left in direction of the village of Tournissan distant of 2,9 km (km 19,2). Do not go to the centre of the village, but continue straight the Rue DU Château. At the chapel, take left in direction of the smallholding known as “Terre Rouge” (km 21).

TERRE ROUGE. Leave on the left the small road which leads to the smallholding of “Prat Neuf” to take a track on the right, grey then red, which goes up. 1,2 km further, one joins another track to be followed on the left on 500 m. There, in a frank turn on the left shortly after a stone wall, shells on the ground and on a tree indicate a possible shortcut of a few metres through the vegetation (otherwise continue till the green cistern and take there the most on the right track marked by a yellow dash; the passage by the botanical path being possible but 1,5 km longer). Follow this track (yellow beaconing) on the right. When it starts to go down, take the first path on the left, which leads to the crest and the “foot of Charlemagne” (he had the step less light than you!). Start on the other side the panoramic descent on Lagrasse by a path of scrubland. It leads to a track (to be followed on the right) which one can cut the hairpin, and which leads to Lagrasse by the district of Capucins (km 24,3). Cross the road, circumvent the mediaeval borough by the left passing under the tower, to cross a bridge-stopping on the Orbieu. The entrance of the Abbey is on the right after the “museum” part.

Stage without particular difficulty. A little more road than the preceding stage. The passage by St LAURENT DE LA CABRERISSE offers a possible supply. A very pleasant arrival with a superb view on Lagrasse, by a short woodland to be obviously avoided in the event of forest fire.

A few kilometres North of Lagrasse is Fontcouverte, cradle of Saint Jean-François Régis, the “Saint walker of God”.

Lodging

LAGRASSE (Abbaye Canoniale Sainte-Marie de Lagrasse)

- Reception: Regular Canons of Lagrasse

6 Rive gauche, 11200 LAGRASSE

Tel.: +33/(0) 4.68.58.11.58 E-mail: chanoines @ chanoines-lagrasse.eu

www.chanoines-lagrasse.eu

- Mass: Precise information on the spot. Vespers in Gregorian at 6pm.

Lodging under a large tent with toilets and shower, in free donation

(hostelry under installation), and possible meals in enclosure for men;

Lodging at the camp-site (reception at the village planned for 2009) for women.

Saint-James halts of the “Way of Pyrenean Piedmont from Narbonne and Carcassonne towards Lourdes and Santiago”

Description at July 18, 2008 confirmed on the ground.

Complementary info on the www.webcompostella.com site

www.Webcompotella.com

Saint-James halts of the “Way of Pyrenean Piedmont from Narbonne and Carcassonne towards Lourdes and Santiago”

Stage 3 LAGRASSE - RIEUNETTE Abbaye Sainte-Marie de Rieunette

Single track: 29 or 29,9 kilometres

Description of the course (course marked out red and white GR.36 until the km 7.5; some black arrows and shells then)

Lagrasse (possible supply). Leave the Abbey of Lagrasse by the opposite road, and take the GR. 36 at the end (or short cut vis-a-vis the mediaeval bridge). Follow the GR.36 which goes up to the plate of Castagnère then continues in the wood of Lauza. After 2,2 km, at the goose leg where it leaves on the left towards the forest house, rather take the track on the right-hand side which cuts and further retrieves the GR. This allows an interesting detour through the chapel Notre-Dame DU Carla: for that take after 600 m the path on the right which goes down through the wood. Remarkable sightseeings on the Sou valley which runs 80 metres lower.

Come back from the chapel (km 4,3) following up the small road which brings back to the GR36 at an altitude of 312 m, and again the GR on the right. Continue full west (passage of a collar at 293 m at the km 6 and rise opposite till 350 m) over 2,6 km towards Caunette EN Val. Where the path joins a track close to the road (1 km before the village), leave the GR and take on the right over 160 m this track which leads to the D.42 (km 8,1). Follow the D.42 towards the right (after 600 m it is possible to cut a turn by a track on its left) to join Rieux en val (km 10,5).

Rieux en val. Take on the left the D.110 towards Serviès en val, over 600 m (it is possible if one wishes to pass through the village of Serviès in order to make a supply before crossing the Occidental Corbières; then join the route at Taurize taking the small road under the castle; detour of 700 m). Where the road makes an elbow on the right (shell on a tree), take left the track which continues full west along the brook (Sou), that one crosses while turning left after 500 m (apron before the picnic area, km 11,6) to join after 300 m a house and a calvary. Take left then on the right the small gravel road which leads to the village of Taurize (km 13,1).

Taurize. At the entrance of the village, join the church on the right, and leave opposite following the D.603 until Villetritouls (km 14,6). Cross the village (chapel, fountain) and continue full West (Avenue DE LA Matte) by a road which becomes track. Shortly after an electric transformer, take on the left a wooded path which becomes then a grassy track. At the end, do not cross the apron which leads to a private property, but take on the left the path which leads to Labastide en val. Turn right over the bridge to join the D.310 which one follows then on the left till Villar en val (km 17,5), passing by its insulated chapel (water).

Villar en val. (If one has a detailed map it is possible to avoid the road while passing by paths in the forest, the place named LA Prade, the collar Pas de Madame, and a forest track which goes down directly to the Abbey of Rieunette: map and advices available on request from bernard.schurr @ gmail.com. We indicate the simplest route here). Villar en val is the last consequent village before the Abbey of Rieunette (alt. 264 m, fountain: fill the tank!): cross it and continue over the D.110 towards Molières. After 700 m, right before a bridge in a turn, a track goes up on the right towards a field: it makes it possible to gain a small km on the turns of the road (by taking then the right-hand side branch) but it is in bad condition. After a ruin it joins again the road, to be followed until the Col de Taurize (km 21,4; alt. 498m): one can admire there a last time the panorama towards the Narbonnese to reward itself for the hard rise ! Continue 5 more km and, arrived at the village of Molières (entirely restored by Dutchmen) located on the left below the road, descend, visit its beautiful chapel, leave it on the other hand, take then the path on the left little before the road to go down towards the torrent to be forded. Continue on this track, on the slope opposite to the road. After approximately 1 km, continue the track (on the right) under the old forest houses of Escazilles then take the track which goes up on the left. At the level of the ruined house on floor Jean d'Estève (km 28,2), take the shortcut on the right (before the panel “sauf ayant-droits”, shell). Do not go up to the road but down (shell), join the main track, follow it on the right over 200 m. A panel indicates then “Rieunette” on the left. The Abbey Sainte-Marie de Rieunette (alt. 284 m) is at 500 m.

After the departure from the Canonical Abbey Sainte-Marie de Lagrasse, it is possible to make a detour through the splendid small chapel of Notre Dame DU Carla located downwards. The GR.36 accompanies us over 7.5 kilometres, then the road partly occupies the remainder of the route, Corbières oblige, because not easily passable, if not by the road or through paths currently badly maintained. Venturing outside the road is risked there, especially in period of fire hazard, without counting the risk of mislaying! But the landscape is sumptuous and the comfort is for the arrival at the Abbey Sainte-Marie de Rieunette, where the cordial reception of the Sisters will make you forget the tar.

Lodging

RIEUNETTE (Abbaye Sainte-Marie de Rieunette) Saint-James Halt

- Reception: Moniales Cisterciennes 11250 LADERN SUR LAUQUET

Tel.: +33/(0) 4.68.69.69.06

E-mail: rieunette @ free.fr Internet: www.boulaur.org/rieunette.htm

- Mass: 9 am during the week, 10 am on Sunday.

Offices: Vespers around 4:30 pm, Complies 8:35 pm, Laudes 6:45 am, precise information on the spot.

Lodging: 3 to 5 pl. at the Monastic hostelry. Advise in advance.

Breakfast and evening meal at the hostelry. Free donation.

Saint-James halts of the “Way of Pyrenean Piedmont from Narbonne and Carcassonne towards Lourdes and Santiago”

Description at July 18, 2008 confirmed on the ground. Complementary info on the www.webcompostella.com site

www.Webcompotella.com

Saint-James halts of the “Way of Pyrenean Piedmont from Narbonne and Carcassonne towards Lourdes and Santiago”

Stage 4 RIEUNETTE - NOTRE-DAME DE MARCEILLE

Single track with alternatives: 20,9 kilometres

Description of the course (course marked out yellow circle and dash from Rieunette to Ladern, orange after St Hilaire, not marked out elsewhere)

Abbey Notre-Dame de Rieunette. Go down the arrival track. At the T with the right-hand side track, those who choose the shortest way will take left to join and follow the D.110 in valley until Ladern SUR Lauquet (5,1 km). Otherwise rising 200 m up (quickly forgotten), the others will follow a splendid crest way until Ladern (6,8 km). For that, while following the yellow circle and dash beaconing, take the track on the right-hand side from where you arrived the day before, rise up the shortcut on the left without caring of the yellow cross, and join the road (shell). Cross it and rise opposite the forest road Co DE Vincent, which allows a last glance on Rieunette. After a 500 m flat portion direction North-East, the beaconing leaves the forest track and asks you to climb a very stiff track. Rather take (cf. shell) the track which goes up in skew on the left, less stiff shortcut where you retrieve the beaconing on top. Follow on the left the crest, initially in underwood (boxwood), then panoramic through a superb vegetation (yews, cedars…). At the yews keep left in crest. After the descent, at the olive grove, follow the beaconing on the right which brings back to the D.110. Follow it on 600m to enter Ladern SUR Lauquet.

Ladern SUR Lauquet (km 6,8). Take left at the entrance of the borough and at the small blue bench, always skirting the Lauquet river. Cross the bridge and turn right at its end. Continue this small road over 1,8 km, passing in front of a calvary and of a cross in stone.

By the T of the tar (km 8,6), take right then continue straight over 2,4 km (thus leaving Rey on the left and taking the prohibited direction along the river). Take right at the end to join the D.51 little before St-Hilaire. Follow it on the right over 100 m and turn left at the calvary vis-a-vis the garage to enter Saint-Hilaire through the D.104.

Saint Hilaire (km 11,9). Visit the cloister (pilgrim tariff under negociation). Leave it by the rising staircases to see the cellars where the monks created the Blanquette de Limoux, and take opposite the direction of the cemetery. Take the road on the left of the cemetery, skirting it, to join the D.104 through the Pech Sainte-Marie (do not to take the tracks which leave rightwards).

D.104 (13,1 km). Follow the orange beaconing on the right which follows the road over 500 metres then turns left and follows a small crest dominating the village of Gardie and offering sights on the Montagne Noire to the North. At the hairpin, do not care about the shell as long as the front way has not been cleared of undergrowth, but go down following the beaconing to the small road (leave the beaconing then) and join Limouzy 500 m on the right (km 15,9). Overpass these houses and continue the small road over 600 m. When one starts to see the buildings of the Domain “Fages” (300m before), an indication on an electric post will make you climb the slope of the road on the left 9 m after (if it looks too difficult to you, no other choice than following the road towards Pieusse and Limoux…).

Domain of “Fages”. Skirt the vine by the left to circumvent it (you are in the Domain of the Blanquette de Limoux, respect the vines, from that depends the future of this way!). Then skirt the field with the scrubland on the left: do not take a track which penetrates in it on the left but keep going flat to join a small pass, always leaving the field and the buildings on the right. Descend the other side on a grassy track left of a vine. At the end, take the track marked on the left by two cement posts, which goes up through the wood. At the fork, take right (shell). The track brings to a tree with stones and an orange-yellow beaconing on it (km 17,7). Here two possibilities (respectively 4,3 and 3,2 km):

- those who prefer the track and the road in valley will take left: little before the end of the field take the first track on the right, in order to descend the small valley on the right. It arrives at the Domain of Carliqui and finishes as a road over 2,6 km to arrive at Notre-Dame de Marceille.

- those who like the small panoramic paths through the scrubland will take on the right then will rise straight towards two cement posts to the top of the hill (326 m, first panorama on the Catalan and Ariégeoises Pyrenees from the top of the tank). 50 m below, take a small not very visible path on the left (shell). It arrives at a field: skirt it by the right-hand side then join the vine above and skirt it by its left-hand side (one can also there join the preceding road on the left). At the end of the vine, on the right of the rock, leave it on the left and take there the path which goes up (shell). Leave the top of this second hill (326 m, other panorama) on the right to arrive on a track which goes down opposite (skirting a hangar, then crossing the plateau Pech de Marceille), to arrive just on the Sanctuary Notre-Dame de Marceille (km 20,9).

The Corbières are now behind us, leaving anchored in the memory the wild beauty of the crossed places. Here, the risks, more moderated, are divided between the road (fortunately very little attended!), vipers, possible mislaying if one is not attentive, and fire hazards. During the way, the Abbey of Saint-Hilaire deserves a stop: a particular reception will be reserved to the pilgrim with his créanciale.

Lodging

SANCTUARY NOTRE-DAME DE MARCEILLE Saint-James Halt

- Reception: Fraternity of the Brothers of Notre-Dame.

Tel. +33/(0) 4.34.93.00.30 E-mail: ndmarceille @ aliceadsl.fr

Free donation, 7 pl. or more, Invitation to share the meal and the prayer.

Saint-James halts of the “Way of Pyrenean Piedmont from Narbonne and Carcassonne towards Lourdes and Santiago”

Port Nouvelle, Coursan, Narbonne, Gaussan, Lagrasse, Rieunette, Notre-Dame de Marceille, Carcassonne, Fanjeaux, Larché, Mirepoix, Carlaret, Pamiers, Mas d' Azil, Saint Lizier, Alas, Castillon in Couserans, Buzan, Portet d' Aspet, Saint-Bertrand of Comminges, Bagnères de Bigorre, Lourdes, Lestelle Bétharram, Asson, Arudy, Lurbe Saint-Christau, Accous, Mauléon-Soule, Saint-Just Ibarre.

Description at July 18, 2008 confirmed on the ground. Complementary info on the www.webcompostella.com site

www.Webcompotella.com

Saint-James halts of the “Way of Pyrenean Piedmont from Narbonne and Carcassonne towards Lourdes and Santiago”

Stage of connexion CARCASSONNE - NOTRE-DAME DE MARCEILLE

Single track: 22.7 kilometres

Description of the course (not marked out course)

Notre-Dame de L’Abbaye. Descend Rue Trivalle, take the first street on the left then right and the first path on the left, between the walls of the Cité and gardens. Go back to the street only when arriving at the church St-Gimer. Pass right of it and take opposite the street which leads to the Route DE St-Hilaire and the Domaine d’AURIAC. Follow the Route DE St-Hilaire and its yellow bus stops. At the last bus stop right before the roundabout take on the right towards the Lycée Agricole Charlemagne (km 1,7) then retrieve the D.342 skirting a vine, follow it carefully, and pass over the motorway.

Domaine d’Auriac (km 3,7). After the tower and the entrance of the parc, take left direction Cavanac. The Route DE St-Hilaire becomes D.104: follow it (golf on the left) over 1,8 km, being very careful (if necessary use the golf track on the left) ! Arrived at a bridge over the brook (“TORON”), turn right towards the Domain of La farguette then follow immediately left a grassy track that goes in direction of an isolated pine and an antenna. Continue it through the vineyards and cross the D.104. Continue straight through the allotments of Cavanac by Avenue DE L’Estrade and the Ancien Chemin de St- Hilaire. At the end, continue the track opposite and go down on the D.204 (km 7,3). Follow it over 200 m before taking at the panels « Zone 30 ; 7.5 T » the small road on the right. Before the first allotments, take a gravelled track on the left, which becomes grassy, and goes down towards Couffoulens. At the bottom, take the road over 100 m on the right to pass under the railway.

Couffoulens (km 8,9). Cross the Lauquet and circumvent the castle by the left (Côte de Patari then Rue Victor Hugo) and join the D.143 (km 9,1) which one follows left over 1,5 km. After the isolated house “Lury”, cut by a track in skew on the right, which passes under wood, crosses vines, and leads to Cornèze.

Cornèze (km 11,6). Cross the village, follow again the D.143 over 600 m, and, just before a group of bamboos, take the track in skew on the right, which crosses fields and the railway, and will lead you to the entrance of Pomas.

Pomas (km 14,7). Cross the village (water by the church on top), and at the “commerce multiservices” (shop), head towards the station. Continue this street which becomes track right of the last hangar, and skirts the railway over 1,5 km. It joins then the D.504 which one follows left. After 1,3 km, at a bridge over the brook, a track continues straight towards the Domain and chapel of St André, but it is private. Rather continue on the road, which passes close to a huge tree, and offers sometimes the possibility to walk along the vines, until the oratory of Pieusse (km 20,7). It is a St James calvary which thus indicated an important crossroads for the pilgrims: note on the right the “Chemin DE LA Barque” to the end of which the pilgrims crossed Aude on a boat, at the time when the only bridge was in Limoux 5 km away.

Pieusse (km 21). Continue straight without going up to the village. One follows the river Aude to arrive at the Domain of Bride, which one crosses to go up by a track to the road which comes from the shopping centre downwards. Cross it and climb opposite a small tarred way which will carry you out, following the yews, to Notre-Dame de Marceille.

Pleasant departure from the CitE of Carcassonne following its walls and through vines, although the peripheral traffic is there and requires great caution. Then the course follows tracks and minor roads along right bank of Aude, with an obliged St James’ stop at the Oratoire de Pieusse.

Lodging

SANCTUARY NOTRE-DAME DE MARCEILLE Saint-James Halt

- Reception: Fraternity of the Brothers of Notre-Dame.

Tel. +33/(0) 4.34.93.00.30 E-mail: ndmarceille @ aliceadsl.fr

Free donation, 7 pl. or more, Invitation to share the meal and the prayer.

Saint-James halts of the “Way of Pyrenean Piedmont from Narbonne and Carcassonne towards Lourdes and Santiago”

Port Nouvelle, Coursan, Narbonne, Gaussan, Lagrasse, Rieunette, Notre-Dame de Marceille, Carcassonne, Fanjeaux, Larché, Mirepoix, Carlaret, Pamiers, Mas d' Azil, Saint Lizier, Alas, Castillon in Couserans, Buzan, Portet d' Aspet, Saint-Bertrand of Comminges, Bagnères de Bigorre, Lourdes, Lestelle Bétharram, Asson, Arudy, Lurbe Saint-Christau, Accous, Mauléon-Soule, Saint-Just Ibarre.

Description at July 18, 2008 not confirmed on the ground. Complementary info on the www.webcompostella.com site
www.Webcompotella.com

Saint-James halts of the “Way of Pyrenean Piedmont from Narbonne and Carcassonne towards Lourdes and Santiago”

Stage 5 NOTRE-DAME DE MARCEILLE – PROUILHE / FANJEAUX

Single track: 24.7 km for Prouilhe, 25.1 km for Fanjeaux

Description of the course (marked out red and yellow GRP from Routier till Belvèze, blue and yellow from Ferran till Brézilhac, red and white GR78 on the end, rare arrows and black shells elsewhere)

Notre-Dame de Marceille. Go down the “Sacred Way” (Voie sacrée) passing in front of the miraculous source, cross a small bridge and before joining the road, cut on the right towards a street which turns (houses on the left, fields on the right). Follow it until the railway which one crosses on the right passing below. At the exit of the passage under way, go up left over this mixed bridge railway/pedestrians to cross the Aude river. Go down and follow the rue du Pont and the rue dES Acacias skirting the railway.

Hamlet of Villedieu. Skirt the houses and go down by the small road (after the tank, km 4,4). Join the D.102 and follow it on the right over 1 km (caution !), leaving Pauligne on the left. After the triangular panel, take left towards an isolated walnut tree a vine track which retrieves the road 500 m further. Follow it again over 2,8 km then take the D.702 on the right towards Routier.

ROUTIER. Under the village, after the bridge, take the track on the left (shortcut) to go up to the village (to the standard lamp left and then right; water in the small park 100m left on the road). Facing the door of church (km 11,4), follow the red and yellow beaconing which passes on the left (north) of the church then directs towards Montmaur (splendid “path of the vine growers”). If you see mills, you do consider yourself as Don Quichotte !: follow the panel if you wish to visit them then return on the GR which will lead you to the entrance of Belvèze DU Razès.

Belvèze DU Razès. Move towards the centre, and on the D.18 (Allée DES Platanes) follow it on the right until the “Gendarmerie” (antenna; km 15,3) and take there the D.102 until Gramazie.

Gramazie. A pilgrim pompor will offer water to you, then visit if possible the church (km 16,6), and follow the Route de Ferran. 500 m after the bridge, take the small road on the left. From the cemetery (km 17,9) follow straight the blue and yellow beaconing towards Brézilhac (one passes on the right side of a pond, and at the tar take left). You are at the country of St Dominic, which has thousand times pressed these ways of its poor sandals… One leaves the village of Brézilhac on the right, and at the crossing with the D.63 which carries out to it (km 20,6), two possibilities are offered, according to whether you join Prouilhe, place of foundation of the first monastery of Dominicans sisters, or Fanjeaux top of the hill, where lived St DomINIC.

Towards Prouilhe: Go up opposite till a cross surrounded by roses and take on the right towards Lasserre de Prouilhe. The road crosses a brook, and then goes up. On top, leave a track which goes up on the left to the top of the hill and take the flat one just after, at right angle towards the left. It arrives on the right of the Domain of Tisseyres and continues straight as a road (“Chemin DE St DomIniQUE”). 250 m after, take right to go down towards the Monastery of Prouilhe opposite (a shortcut along the wall avoids the detour by the roundabout).

Towards Fanjeaux: take the D.63 on the left over 250 m, then the track on the right which goes up to the top of the hill. Continue opposite, you are on the GR78 freshly marked out… with St James shells and which will accompany you in all the crossing of Ariège. Arrived at the main road, follow it over 100 m towards Fanjeaux. It joins at a calvary the D.119 which one follows over 100 m to take immediately left a parallel track which goes up directly to the village. The convent is located on top of the village close to the Halles.

Very pleasant undulating course of tracks and minor roads, which moves away from the mountain for better contemplating it, and will leave us a first impression of Spain. One is still largely in the vineyards of Aude but already the vegetation changes…

Lodging

PROUILHE

Monastery Ste Marie (Dominican Sisters)

- Reception: Sœurs DominicAInES DE Prouilhe, 11270 FANJEAUX (Aude)

Tel. +33/(0) 4.68.11.22.66 E-mail: accueil @ prouilhe.org

- Mass and Offices: Precise information on the spot.

- Lodging and diner in free donation.

FANJEAUX

CONVENT St DomIniQUE (Dominican Sisters)

- Reception: Sœurs DominicAInES, rue du Four, 11270 FANJEAUX (Aude)

Tel. +33/(0) 4.68.24.70.16

- Lodging in free donation, 14 places.

- Mass and Offices: precise information on the spot.

- Meal on the spot. Possibility of breakfast from 7 am.

Saint-James halts of the “Way of Pyrenean Piedmont from Narbonne and Carcassonne towards Lourdes and Santiago”

Port Nouvelle, Coursan, Narbonne, Gaussan, Lagrasse, Rieunette, Notre-Dame de Marceille, Carcassonne, Prouilhe-Fanjeaux, Larché, Mirepoix, Carlaret, Pamiers, Mas d' Azil, Saint Lizier, Alas, Castillon in Couserans, Buzan, Portet d' Aspet, Saint-Bertrand of Comminges, Bagnères de Bigorre, Lourdes, Lestelle Bétharram, Asson, Arudy, Lurbe Saint-Christau, Accous, Mauléon-Soule, Saint-Just Ibarre.

Description at July 18, 2008 confirmed on the ground.

Complementary info on the www.webcompostella.com site

www.Webcompotella.com

Saint-James halts of the “Way of Pyrenean Piedmont from Narbonne and Carcassonne towards Lourdes and Santiago”

Stage 6 PROUILHE / FANJEAUX – LARCHE / MIREPOIX

Single track: Fanjeaux - Mirepoix 25 kilometres (+ 2 km from Prouilhe, - 4 km for Larché)

Description of the course (course marked out red and white GR78 starting from Fanjeaux and stylised arrow-shells starting from the entrance in Ariège)

Prouilhe. Those who slept in Prouilhe will rise straight towards Fanjeaux by the D.802.

Fanjeaux. Go down from the village towards the arrival of the main road (shops) and rise opposite by the GR. 7/78 (watershed) which will accompany you all the way in Ariège (see the continuation of the routes on the page “Further Stages”). It stays practically all way in crest, passing left of the Pech de Mû hill (relay), through the village of Hounoux (bakery), before making an elbow to go down towards the Chapel of Malegoude.

Malegoude. Cross the D.119 (beware of the traffic !) and continue the GR. towards Larché, or Mirepoix 3,9 km further, reached crossing its bridge over the Hers.

See the continuation of the routes on the page “Further Stages”.

Lodging

LARCHE and MIREPOIX

St James Halt in family

Marie et Jean, Larché, 09500 Mirepoix

Tel. +33/(0) 6.77.39.84.23

Lodging in free donation, meal in family, and domestic tasks sharing.

Saint-James halts of the “Way of Pyrenean Piedmont from Narbonne and Carcassonne towards Lourdes and Santiago”

Port Nouvelle, Coursan, Narbonne, Gaussan, Lagrasse, Rieunette, Notre-Dame de Marceille, Carcassonne, Prouille-Fanjeaux, Larché, Mirepoix, Carlaret, Pamiers, Mas d' Azil, Saint Lizier, Alas, Castillon in Couserans, Buzan, Portet d' Aspet, Saint-Bertrand of Comminges, Bagnères de Bigorre, Lourdes, Lestelle Bétharram, Asson, Arudy, Lurbe Saint-Christau, Accous, Mauléon-Soule, Saint-Just Ibarre.

Description at July 18, 2008 confirmed on the ground.

Complementary info on the www.webcompostella.com site

www.Webcompotella.com

Saint-James halts of the “Way of Pyrenean Piedmont from Narbonne and Carcassonne towards Lourdes and Santiago”

Stages 5-6 NOTRE-DAME DE MARCEILLE – MIREPOIX straight

Single track: 33 kilometres

Description of the course (course not marked out until Gueytes, yellow PR then, then Voie Verte)

Cross the route dE Carcassonne (D.118; possible provisioning). Note that 4 km on the right is the village of Cépie where lived Rene Voillaume surrounded by Petits Frères DE L’ Évangile and Petites Sœurs DE Jesus, which it founded in the spirit of Charles de Foucauld. Take almost opposite (on the right) the Rue Parmentier then the Rue Anatole France which leads to the D.623. Cross it to take opposite (km 1,6) the Chemin de Bel Air. Continue always straight by this small road which goes up then becomes track. On top greet a last time N.D. DE Marceille in your back, and continue towards the Domain of Couloumiers. Cross the D.102 shortly after, turn right and take 100 m further on the left a small road which leads to the DomainE DES Pins. Circumvent it then at the crossroads turn left (full South) over 300 m, then take on the right the track which skirts the south limit of the wood. Continue and pass in front of the DomainE DE LA Bastide. The road joins the D.214 which one follows over 300 m and continue always straight on a track which becomes a road in the vicinity of the Domain DU Soulié and runs towards the circular village of Loupia.

Loupia. Leave the borough on the right and at the calvary turn left. At the electric transformer cross the D.626 and continue opposite by the D.220. Cross the D.52 at the calvary and always continue straight without going to the village of Villelongue d'Aude. At the following crossing, take the small road on the right and continue always straight: go down to cross the brook of Cot and to go up opposite towards LA Lauzette then by road until Pomy.

Pomy. Retrogress 100 m on the D.44 and, between the bridge and the chapel, take a track which goes up on the right. Always continue frontward, pass a collar at 500 m and then the houses of Melliès. 800 m after, do not take the small bridge on the right which brings back to the D.626, but turn left then immediately right. Go down towards the D.30 which one crosses. Turn right after the pumping station, skirting the river. Then join the D.626 and at the calvary 250 m further, turn right to enter Peyrefitte DU Razès.

Peyrefitte DU Razès. Pass left of the church and at the exit of the village, continue by a track which carries out to GUEYTES-ET-Labastide (St James stoup in the church). Exit on the West side (yellow beaconing) and continue on the right in the turn towards the Domain of LA Crémade which one overpasses following the beaconing. Skirt a wood and join the D.18 which one crosses. Rise opposite on the “Voie verte” (old railway) which one follows on the left towards Caudeval (castle).

Between Caudeval and Moulin Neuf the “Voie verte” enters into Ariège and becomes marked out until Mirepoix.

See the continuation of the routes on the page “Further Stages”.

Lodging

GUEYTES

Reception planned for 2009. See at the town hall.

MIREPOIX

St James Halt in family

Marie et Jean, Larché, 09500 Mirepoix

Tel. +33/(0) 6.77.39.84.23

Lodging in free donation, meal in family, and domestic tasks sharing.

Saint-James halts of the “Way of Pyrenean Piedmont from Narbonne and Carcassonne towards Lourdes and Santiago”

Description at July 18, 2008 not confirmed on the ground.

Complementary info on the www.webcompostella.com site

www.Webcompotella.com

Saint-James halts of the “Way of Pyrenean Piedmont from Narbonne and Carcassonne towards Lourdes and Santiago”

Connexions towards Arles Way, Somport Pass and the Aragonese Way

S^te COLOME / ARUDY - OLORON S^te MARIE / LURBE S^tCHRISTAU / ESCOT

Description of the courses

The sector Sainte Colome - Arudy - Louvie Juzon is a crossroads of Ways of S^T James, witness of a past where the pilgrims crossed in all directions, in the search of a favourable passage of the Pyrenees. Make your choice and do not follow too quickly the first shell:

-1. Sainte Colome - Sévignacq - Buzy - Oloron Sainte Marie: it is the Pyrenean Piedmont Way, which crosses the Way of Arles in Oloron and continues towards Mauléon and S^T Jean Pied de Port (crossing the Pyrenees towards RonceSVALLES or continuation towards Hendaye to catch the Camino del Norte): blue and yellow beaconing (as GR + shells) until Buzy then light arrow-shell beaconing until Oloron. Description on http://vppyr.free.fr.

-2. Sainte Colome - Arudy - Bois DU Bager - Lurbe S^T Christau: approx. 21 km. Direct connexion with the Way of Arles (towards Somport Pass) in Lurbe S^T Christau following the D.918 without large level changes (alt. max 500m). Described hereafter. Nonofficial light beaconing by pale yellow painted arrows.

-3. Sainte Colome - Louvie Juzon - Marie Blanque Pass - Escot: approx. 25 km. Direct connexion with the Way of Arles in Escot by the D.294 and the Marie Blanque Pass (1035 m). Described hereafter. No beaconing.

-4. Sainte Colome / Arudy - Louvie Juzon - Laruns - Gabas…: it is the way of immediate crossing of the Pyrenees through the Ossau Valley, either at the Peyrelue Pass (1847 m, close to the Pourtalet Pass), or at the Col DES Moines (2169 m, with descent on Somport Pass), to join Jaca through Sabiñanigo. Blue and yellow beaconing (as GR + shells) in France, then white and yellow (as GR) in Spain. Didactic panels and small guide available from the Tourist office of Vallée d'Ossau in Arudy.

This page describes the direct connexions with the Way of Arles (routes 2 and 3) in order to cross the Pyrenees at the Somport Pass (1632m) and continue to Jaca on the Aragonese Way.

Ste Colome - Arudy - Bois DU Bager - Lurbe S^T Christau: approx. 20 km from Arudy

At the exit of Sainte Colome descend the St James path on the left indicated “Louvie-Juzon”. One reaches a small asphalt road which one follows on the right (give up then the blue and yellow beaconing for Louvie-Juzon). After 400 m one crosses the main road then the opposite bridge, and one enters the village by the D.287. The presbytery is little before the church along the channel.

To leave Arudy, join the old station (do not follow the other St James marks), cross the old railway on its right (yellow arrows on the ground) and pass between the two hangars opposite. At the calvary take opposite the D.918 towards S^T Christau (today’s stage more or less follows this road). After the last house on the left one can follow the road by a path arranged just above, then take again the road at the picnic area and continue (one follows far above the Gave d'Ossau). At the following picnic area always continue on the road. One passes close to the Gîte Passiflor-Art (Ph. 05.59.05.89.81).

1km after, at the first yellow panel of “Petite Randonnée” (PR), one can continue on the road, or if one wants to walk in forest (and gain 1 km but not necessarily in time), take on the left the track which goes up through the wood cut (yellow arrows; attention, muddy and encumbered route): at the goose leg (Fork junction) take then the track on the right, cross brooks and continue overall straight. Gone down to a flat area close to a little boxed torrent, follow it on the right towards the D.918 if one is not too bold or nimble. The shortcut by the way continues on the left but is very encumbered by the vegetation over 500m (trees transversely, carefully follow the arrows !): it climbs and retrieves in crest the yellow path PR; at the following PR junction, take left. One passes very close to the road then shortly after the milestone 140. On the following crest take the track towards the left (which arrives from the road: if one returned or remained on the road, possibility of joining there). At the yellow panel turn right then follow the watershed (“palombières”: wood-pigeon shooting areas in autumn). At the fork junction take left, then straight. At the following “palombière”, go down on the left. The road is joined (milestone137).

Just after the Gîte Dutter (km 135,5, long-term lodging only), possibility of taking on the left (small bridge) a small parallel road on the opposite slope of the valley (same distance). Both meet at a white cross little before S^T Christau, where one joins the GR65.3 (Way of Arles) coming from the chapel (closed…). To join Lurbe (rooms for rent) or continue to Escot (1h) and Sarrance (2h45), follow the GR. Or for the HOtel DES VALLEES (dormitory and pilgrim price, Ph. 05.59.34.40.01) continue straight 1km on the road until the crossroads.

Sainte Colome - Louvie Juzon - Marie Blanque Pass- Escot: approx. 23 km from Louvie Juzon

At the exit of Sainte Colome descend the St James path on the left indicated “Louvie-Juzon”. One reaches a small asphalt road which one follows on the right. After a turn on the right, take on the left a sunken lane surrounded by stone walls and follow it until the bottom. Arriving behind the dechettery take on the left a path at right angle (don’t go until the road). It passes behind a material deposit and private properties, then crosses wood and meadows, to arrive at Louvie Juzon (basic pilgrim refuge near the town hall).

From the Square of Louvie Juzon, follow the street westwards and reach the road of Pau. Pass the bridge, turn left, and follow the road again. After the last houses, the road skirts a slope-rock. When it finishes and after a few metres locate on the right an underpass arranged in the slope of an old railway; and cross it. At his exit on the left one joins the old railway which one easily follow over approximately 1.5 km (till now one followed the yellow and blue beaconing of Vallée d'Ossau). Just after having passed very close to the mountain (under the high-tension line), vis-a-vis the castle of Castet on the other bank, take on the right a track which goes up regularly (with some turns) towards the Plateau DU Bénou: one joins in a hairpin the D.294 road leading to the Plateau, thus avoiding the detour through Bielle. Pass the village of Bilhères and the Chapel of Houndas. 1 km after, on the plateau of Benou, either follow the D.294 on the left (sinuous), or follow the track on the right (more direct) which skirts the northern limit of the plateau (through the farms of Plateau DE Roland and Plateau DE Técouère): they pass respectively on the left and on the right of the characteristic cone Turon DE Técouère, to meet at the Marie Blanque Pass (1035m). Go down towards the Aspe Valley following the D.294. One will pass the Gîte d’étape Marie Blanque (possible stop, Tel. 05.59.34.41.09). The road joins in Escot the GR 65.3 (Way of Arles) (which one will follow for 1h45 approximately to join Sarrance).

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Saint-James halts of the “Way of Pyrenean Piedmont from Narbonne and Carcassonne towards Lourdes and Santiago”

www.Webcompotella.com

Saint-James halts of the “Way of Pyrenean Piedmont from Narbonne and Carcassonne towards Lourdes and Santiago”

Further Stages in Ariège, Haute-Garonne, Pyrénées-Atlantiques

MIREPOIX - PAMIERS - S^tBERTRAND - LOURDES - ARUDY - OLORON - HENDAYE

The courses in Ariège and following are generally marked out, GR. 78 red and white in Ariège, small yellow arrows with shells on the alternatives and then, GR. 10 red and white of St Jean Pied de Port in Hendaye, plus some beaconings of local associations. One will find on line the existing descriptions:

- http://vppyr.free.fr, until St Jean Pied de Port (descriptions, charts and profiles), with the personal updates hereafter, based on the practise of the way in Octobre 2007.

- http://www.ariege.com/cheminstjacques/assoc/index.html: diagrams of Association Ariégeoise of Amis of St Jacques, until Col of Somport (or to download file pdf).

- From St Jean Pied de Port to Hendaye to join the Camino del Norte, it is possible to follow the GR. 10: see for example http://www.tourisme64.com/1-11573-Le-GR10-cote-Pays-basque.php or http://www.gr-infos.com/gr10a.htm (description and charts).

Update at November 1^st 2007 of the courses described on http://vppyr.free.fr:

Stage 7:

Mirepoix-Pamiers makes 34 km instead of 38 according to other sources' (and that is probable). It is possible to shorten the stage while stopping in Carlaret or while following small roads using the chart. The layout of marked out Way was modified compared to certain editions of charts IGN. In particular by leaving Mirepoix, to follow following left at the end of the bridge the beaconing arrow-shell then the way which remains with more close to Hers: that avoids the road and one almost joined the GR. opposite Senesse.

Stage 8:

Évêché, rather than to go up in Castela, to leave vis-a-vis the cathedral by the mediaeval door for, while taking on the left, to join the bridge.

At the top of the hill with 481m, one falls on a quite locatable antenna-relay, the water tower is appreciably further.

Pamiers - Mas d' Azil by the road of Pas of Roc (beaconing arrow-shell) is done in 31 km.

Stages 13 and 14:

One will find no supply between St Bertrand de Comminges and Esparros (if one passes there!). It is advised to make provisions with Loure-Barousse. If not the stores closest to the course are in SAINT LAURENT de Neste and Hèches (2 km of the way).

De Tibiran-Jaunac with Lombres, there is an alternative at the passage by Génerest. It is about the old GR. 105 of Vallée d' Aure, as badly marked out as the other, but one can follow the local cultural beaconing on the right of the church, direction the cave.

In Nestier the passage by Calvaire of Mont Arrès is impossible to circumvent for the pilgrim (to follow the panels). One can then continue by the path behind the summit chapel to join the pretty small road which leads to the church of Hautaget, where one finds the GR. 200m afterwards.

Stages 15 and 16:

The way was modified. For the farms of TOUAU it is necessary to pass Col de Coupe 732m where one joined D26 which comes from Col de Luquet and goes in Esparros. At the collar, to take the way marked out on the left to go down to the village from Esparros (it avoids the described road).

The GRP Tour OF Baronnies, as its name indicates it, you makes visit Baronnies, but not go with St Jacques by the shortest way (moreover the beaconing is sometimes defective). The turning-grimpette by “Batsère 430 m” can be avoided, by joining directly the “bridge 369 m” by the small road of Espèche. In the same way one can avoid Benque and the entry in Bourg de Bigorre to slip by directly on Bonnemazon.

The Tour OF Baronnies is justified however fully for the pilgrim by the passage by Abbaye of Escaladieu (dependence-relay of Hôpital Sainte Christine of Somport; admission free with the créanciale). After the visit, to avoid returning on Bonnemazon and Bourg de Bigorre, one will find on other bank of Luz (river of the small valley of Escaladieu), a forest track parallel to the brook marked out GR. Following it towards West one rises up without problem on the D.139 at the level of Durban. Continues then in crest on the road towards Castillon.

One can still avoid rising to Uzer (lodging): where one has to go stiff down in the brook (embarrassing crossing) between Bettes and Uzer, continuing straight on the road one arrives directly at the road of Liès. If not, from Uzer, go down directly towards the D.28 (twice left), then take the road of Liès.

From the Palomières Pass, take the track which goes up towards Bernadaus, follow it over 500 m before obliquing towards West to go down towards Gerdes.

Stage 17:

The Notre-Dame welcome proposes (providing a map) a 4^th route in addition to those proposed, through Neuilh and Les Angles: entirely by small roads but very wild; much less mountainous than the others. It is the way of the annual pilgrimage of Bagnères to Lourdes:

From the Notre-Dame welcome skirt the hill on your left on the D.88 until the riding school / dechettery of Pouzac. There follow the red, green and blue marked out path until after the camp-site (without entering in Pouzac), and then the road (D.26). At the following small valley, go up towards Neuilh by the D.18, then in direction of the panoramic area of Croix BLANCHE and go down again towards Artrissot ez Angles. Arrived on the D.17 follow “Les Angles” on the right, and in LES Angles follow the torrent on the left (never follow the panels “Lourdes” !), pass a very light pass, and one enters into Lourdes through Anclades.

Stage 18:

The stage is now marked out GR, then arrow-shells.

Exit at the far end of the Sanctuary (“Porte DE la prairie”), take left towards the camp-site and follow there the GR beaconing, parallel to the Gave (river), which makes you cross the forest.

After the car park of the caves of Bétharram, take the road on the right-hand side at a goose leg without beacons.

The old railway which leads to Asson is to be taken 100 m before the “Pont Latapie”.

To leave Asson, the way has also been modified: pass in front of the church, walk 200 m on the D.126, at the mini-market take on the left a track which makes cross the D.35 at a calvary.

Stage 19:

Stage from now on very well marked out yellow and blue like the GRs, with yellow shell panels on a blue background (colours of the Way of St James !). For the junctions towards Arudy and Louvie-Juzon, the Ossau and Aspe Valleys (Way of Arles), well indicated at the exit of Sainte Colome, refer to the description “connexions towards Arles Way” given before.

In Mifaget, take vis-a-vis the church a small road (westwards), then further a small path (“Cami deù Segnou”) which follows the old Way then becomes a track and leads to Foura. To pass on its right, cross a brook, go up towards a track.washboard (General)