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| The Route to Santiago de Compostela |
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| Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, begun in the 10th century and especially from the 11th and 12th centuries, used four itineraries. Those who came from Denmark passing through Paris, Poitiers, then Bordeaux and Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port before crossing the Pyrénées, passed through Charente-Maritime from North to South. |
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 The Main Stages
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| This ‘Grand Chemin’ (Great Route), as it was called in the Middle Ages, linked Aulnay-de-Saintonge to Mirambeau, 125km away. It passed through the communes of Saint-Jean-d’Angély, Fontcouverte, Saintes, Pons and Saint-Genis-de-Saintonge. The route follows the ancient Roman road, in the middle of breathtaking preserved countryside. |
A Cultural Pilgrimage |
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The path invited the pilgrims of yesterday as it does the hikers of today to discover landscapes and historical monuments, some of which are listed World Heritage sites by UNESCO. Among the sites that are not to be missed are the Roman church of Saint-Pierre-de-la-Tour (11th c.) in Aulnay, the Abbaye Royale (11th c.) of Saint-Jean-d’Angely, the Sainte-Eutrope basilica (12th c.) in Saintes and the Hôpital des Pèlerins (12th c.) in Pons. Walking the route of Saint-Jacques also provides the opportunity to discover the old wash-houses and the remains of Roman aqueducts. |
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