Today, I invite you to discover one of the most visited long-distance hiking trails in France, the GR 654, more commonly known as the Camino de Compostela.
Discovering the GR 654
The route of the GR 654 stretches over more than 1750 kilometers of marked trails and connects Namur, in Belgium, to Montreal-du-Gers in the South-West of France. It allows you to reach Santiago de Compostela via the Vezelay route (or Lemovicensis), because this route passes through the city of Limoges.
If you decide to do all or part of this hike, you will discover many historical places to visit as well as landscapes of remarkable beauty. You will take in particular the canals of the Meuse and the Marne, you will also discover the Champagne hillsides, which I know well from having visited several Champagne cellars there, in the Reims region.
Around these 1750 kilometers of marked trails, I invite you to discover some unmissable places:
In Namur, the Belfry is a rather remarkable building, also called Tour Saint-Jacques, which once protected the city and provided protection in the event of an attack.
On the French side, many visits are to be expected, I can mention the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Reims which I know particularly well, as well as the Palais du Tau which is attached to it, it once served as a residence for the Kings of France and is today transformed into a museum. You will find temporary exhibitions as well as explanations relating to the creation of the Cathedral and the events that have taken place there over the centuries.
Another religious building to visit is the Basilica of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine in Vezelay, listed since 1979 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Throughout this long-distance hiking trail, you will discover typical villages, this is particularly the case for that of Gargilesse, in the department of Indre, which I advise you to visit. It is indeed one of the most beautiful villages in France, crossed by the Creuse, which inspired George Sand who settled there in 1857, her house is today an exceptional place to visit.
Many other places are to be seen along these 1750 kilometers of hiking:
- Limoges Abbey
- The Cathedrals of Périgueux and Bourges
- The Eternal Hill of Vézelay
- The Cathedral of Chalons-en-Champagne
Some practical tips
If you want to do part of this long-distance hiking route or divide your stay into several stages, be aware that there are topo-guides allowing you to concentrate tourist and practical information on a single section of this trail.
In order to properly prepare for your hike, some advice is however necessary.
First advice to give yourself if you plan to venture on a long-distance hiking trail: do not neglect your physical preparation. Indeed, there is nothing worse than finding yourself in difficulty after a first big day of walking. If you are rather very sedentary and not inclined to sports activities, take advantage of all the times of the day you can have to walk, prefer the stairs to the elevator for example...
Second essential advice: find out about the type of path you want to take and bring a map to help you find your way.
Also don't forget to choose your equipment carefully, especially your pair of shoes, I advise you to practice walking several days before your departure in order to avoid the pitfall of new shoes, painful blisters...
Last advice, check the weather before leaving and adjust your equipment if necessary (windbreaker, waterproof pants, etc.). If you are going for several days, find out about the accommodation available throughout your hike, and do not hesitate to book in advance for more peace of mind.
Here's to this presentation of the GR 654 and the essentials to know before embarking on a Great Hiking Trail.
