A Taste of the Camino

Today we decided to find the Camino route that goes through Montpellier. It is one of the four major French Camino routes - the Arles route or Camino Tolosana - from Arles to Toulouse.  It is way marked as the French GR 635, and we'd seen the waymarks a couple of days ago on our way into town.

We set out from our apartment and walked 30-35 min (east towards town) to the Astruc tram stop. There we picked up the GR way markings, and set off along the paths in a north-westerly direction. It was our intent to walk to the village of Grabels, about 12 km away.

We were both so happy to once again be walking with a pack on a Camino route.  The GR 653 markings were very clearly placed, easy to see and fairly 'fresh'.  Note the red and white stripes on the left side of overhead arch.  

It was exciting to see our first Camino sign - yellow starburst on left and European Union symbol on right.  In France GR stands for Grand Randonnee or one of hundreds of walking routes that cross the country.  The GR 653 is the Arles Camino route.  

The route we followed was quite varied - sometimes on cycle paths, or beside tram lines or roads, and sometimes along quiet treed paths.  At one point we crossed a bridge over a round-about and realized that, although we'd been walking 90 minutes, we were really very close to home. Gave us a new perspective on where we live!

Marion checking out some olive trees along the trail.

The fruits of her labours! (maybe not quite ready for picking??)

More reassuring markers along the way.

A little bit of country trail.

But how far away from civilization are you if there are Food Trucks? This one was in Malbosc suburb, and close by we found a café for a coffee and pastry - surely a critical part of any Camino!

Onward to another tram stop and then we branched off to the northwest towards the village of Grabels.  Finally got to inner old village - narrow streets - 

- leading to the church, which all pilgrims would want to visit. 

Camino way marker outside old church, with fountain (non-potable) in square.

Very nice pilgrim gate to the church garden, and although pilgrims are invited to come in to stamp their credentials (during hours we we there), the gate was locked (alternative stamp available at local butcher shop). 

We headed off to find main street, but everything there was closed, perhaps because it was around 2:20pm, and maybe they'd be opening again at 3-3:30 for evening trade.  Made our way to bus stop and rode home on bus and tram.

We saw no other walkers all day, but once, when we were crossing a road, a dump truck with 3 guys in it honked and waved vigorously, so I'm sure they were sympathetic to pilgrims, (probably not because we are a couple of young chicks!!).  It was great to have even a one-day walk on a Camino route.  Do we get the T-shirts now?? 

Bon Chemin

Wendy et Marion