The Via Turonensis is one of the four French routes leading to Santiago de Compostela, from Paris to the Pyrenees. Here is a brief history of this iconic route :
Medieval origins
The Via Turonensis takes its name from the city of Tours (Turonum in Latin), a major stop on the pilgrimage route in the Middle Ages. From the 9th century onwards, pilgrims set out from Paris to visit the relics of Saint Martin in Tours, before continuing on to Santiago de Compostela. In the 12th century, with the rise of the cult of Saint James, the route became more organised and developed into one of the main pilgrimage routes in Europe.
Historical route
Paris: The Saint-Jacques Tower, the traditional starting point, with Notre-Dame Cathedral as the place where pilgrims receive a blessing.
Tours: A key town, where pilgrims pay homage to Saint Martin before crossing the Loire.
Poitiers: Another important stop, with Saint-Pierre Cathedral and its history linked to the Way of St James.
Bordeaux: A welcoming town for pilgrims before crossing the Landes.
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port: The final stop in France before crossing the Pyrenees via the Col de Roncevaux.
History and Heritage
The Via Turonensis is dotted with abbeys, churches, hospices and medieval bridges, all bearing witness to the welcoming of pilgrims.
Over the centuries, the route has been maintained by the kings of France, bishops and local communities.
Today, it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France).
Today
The Via Turonensis remains a popular route, valued for its spiritual, cultural and tourist appeal.
It is signposted (with scallop shells and yellow arrows) and offers accommodation specifically for pilgrims.
The Via Turonensis is one of the four French routes leading to Santiago de Compostela, from Paris to the Pyrenees. Here is a brief history of this iconic route :
Medieval origins
The Via Turonensis takes its name from the city of Tours (Turonum in Latin), a major stop on the pilgrimage route in the Middle Ages. From the 9th century onwards, pilgrims set out from Paris to visit the relics of Saint Martin in Tours, before continuing on to Santiago de Compostela. In the 12th century, with the rise of the cult of Saint James, the route became more organised and developed into one of the main pilgrimage routes in Europe.
Historical route
Paris: The Saint-Jacques Tower, the traditional starting point, with Notre-Dame Cathedral as the place where pilgrims receive a blessing.
Tours: A key town, where pilgrims pay homage to Saint Martin before crossing the Loire.
Poitiers: Another important stop, with Saint-Pierre Cathedral and its history linked to the Way of St James.
Bordeaux: A welcoming town for pilgrims before crossing the Landes.
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port: The final stop in France before crossing the Pyrenees via the Col de Roncevaux.
History and Heritage
The Via Turonensis is dotted with abbeys, churches, hospices and medieval bridges, all bearing witness to the welcoming of pilgrims.
Over the centuries, the route has been maintained by the kings of France, bishops and local communities.
Today, it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France).
Today
The Via Turonensis remains a popular route, valued for its spiritual, cultural and tourist appeal.
It is signposted (with scallop shells and yellow arrows) and offers accommodation specifically for pilgrims.
The Via Turonensis is one of the four French routes leading to Santiago de Compostela, from Paris to the Pyrenees. Here is a brief history of this iconic route :
Medieval origins
The Via Turonensis takes its name from the city of Tours (Turonum in Latin), a major stop on the pilgrimage route in the Middle Ages. From the 9th century onwards, pilgrims set out from Paris to visit the relics of Saint Martin in Tours, before continuing on to Santiago de Compostela. In the 12th century, with the rise of the cult of Saint James, the route became more organised and developed into one of the main pilgrimage routes in Europe.
Historical route
Paris: The Saint-Jacques Tower, the traditional starting point, with Notre-Dame Cathedral as the place where pilgrims receive a blessing.
Tours: A key town, where pilgrims pay homage to Saint Martin before crossing the Loire.
Poitiers: Another important stop, with Saint-Pierre Cathedral and its history linked to the Way of St James.
Bordeaux: A welcoming town for pilgrims before crossing the Landes.
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port: The final stop in France before crossing the Pyrenees via the Col de Roncevaux.
History and Heritage
The Via Turonensis is dotted with abbeys, churches, hospices and medieval bridges, all bearing witness to the welcoming of pilgrims.
Over the centuries, the route has been maintained by the kings of France, bishops and local communities.
Today, it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France).
Today
The Via Turonensis remains a popular route, valued for its spiritual, cultural and tourist appeal.
It is signposted (with scallop shells and yellow arrows) and offers accommodation specifically for pilgrims.
The Via Turonensis is one of the four French routes leading to Santiago de Compostela, from Paris to the Pyrenees. Here is a brief history of this iconic route :
Medieval origins
The Via Turonensis takes its name from the city of Tours (Turonum in Latin), a major stop on the pilgrimage route in the Middle Ages. From the 9th century onwards, pilgrims set out from Paris to visit the relics of Saint Martin in Tours, before continuing on to Santiago de Compostela. In the 12th century, with the rise of the cult of Saint James, the route became more organised and developed into one of the main pilgrimage routes in Europe.
Historical route
Paris: The Saint-Jacques Tower, the traditional starting point, with Notre-Dame Cathedral as the place where pilgrims receive a blessing.
Tours: A key town, where pilgrims pay homage to Saint Martin before crossing the Loire.
Poitiers: Another important stop, with Saint-Pierre Cathedral and its history linked to the Way of St James.
Bordeaux: A welcoming town for pilgrims before crossing the Landes.
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port: The final stop in France before crossing the Pyrenees via the Col de Roncevaux.
History and Heritage
The Via Turonensis is dotted with abbeys, churches, hospices and medieval bridges, all bearing witness to the welcoming of pilgrims.
Over the centuries, the route has been maintained by the kings of France, bishops and local communities.
Today, it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France).
Today
The Via Turonensis remains a popular route, valued for its spiritual, cultural and tourist appeal.
It is signposted (with scallop shells and yellow arrows) and offers accommodation specifically for pilgrims.
The Via Turonensis is one of the four French routes leading to Santiago de Compostela, from Paris to the Pyrenees. Here is a brief history of this iconic route :
Medieval origins
The Via Turonensis takes its name from the city of Tours (Turonum in Latin), a major stop on the pilgrimage route in the Middle Ages. From the 9th century onwards, pilgrims set out from Paris to visit the relics of Saint Martin in Tours, before continuing on to Santiago de Compostela. In the 12th century, with the rise of the cult of Saint James, the route became more organised and developed into one of the main pilgrimage routes in Europe.
Historical route
Paris: The Saint-Jacques Tower, the traditional starting point, with Notre-Dame Cathedral as the place where pilgrims receive a blessing.
Tours: A key town, where pilgrims pay homage to Saint Martin before crossing the Loire.
Poitiers: Another important stop, with Saint-Pierre Cathedral and its history linked to the Way of St James.
Bordeaux: A welcoming town for pilgrims before crossing the Landes.
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port: The final stop in France before crossing the Pyrenees via the Col de Roncevaux.
History and Heritage
The Via Turonensis is dotted with abbeys, churches, hospices and medieval bridges, all bearing witness to the welcoming of pilgrims.
Over the centuries, the route has been maintained by the kings of France, bishops and local communities.
Today, it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France).
Today
The Via Turonensis remains a popular route, valued for its spiritual, cultural and tourist appeal.
It is signposted (with scallop shells and yellow arrows) and offers accommodation specifically for pilgrims.
The Via Turonensis is one of the four French routes leading to Santiago de Compostela, from Paris to the Pyrenees. Here is a brief history of this iconic route :
Medieval origins
The Via Turonensis takes its name from the city of Tours (Turonum in Latin), a major stop on the pilgrimage route in the Middle Ages. From the 9th century onwards, pilgrims set out from Paris to visit the relics of Saint Martin in Tours, before continuing on to Santiago de Compostela. In the 12th century, with the rise of the cult of Saint James, the route became more organised and developed into one of the main pilgrimage routes in Europe.
Historical route
Paris: The Saint-Jacques Tower, the traditional starting point, with Notre-Dame Cathedral as the place where pilgrims receive a blessing.
Tours: A key town, where pilgrims pay homage to Saint Martin before crossing the Loire.
Poitiers: Another important stop, with Saint-Pierre Cathedral and its history linked to the Way of St James.
Bordeaux: A welcoming town for pilgrims before crossing the Landes.
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port: The final stop in France before crossing the Pyrenees via the Col de Roncevaux.
History and Heritage
The Via Turonensis is dotted with abbeys, churches, hospices and medieval bridges, all bearing witness to the welcoming of pilgrims.
Over the centuries, the route has been maintained by the kings of France, bishops and local communities.
Today, it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France).
Today
The Via Turonensis remains a popular route, valued for its spiritual, cultural and tourist appeal.
It is signposted (with scallop shells and yellow arrows) and offers accommodation specifically for pilgrims.