Follow in the footsteps of 13 saints along the pilgrimage routes
The patron saints of travelers travel through the book by Robert Bared, entitled “The Saints. Spiritual Adventure and Representation.” What if you, in turn, followed the paths taken by these exemplary Christians?
Robert Bared’s recently released work, entitled The Saints. Spiritual adventure and representation, inspired The Pilgrim who noted the numerous saints included in this book and giving birth to a pilgrimage route. They could therefore be a source of inspiration for future walks. (Editor’s note: These paths are not cited in this book, but we indicate, for each, the resources available on our website). We will cite thirteen of them, respecting the chronological order adopted by the author.
Michel Archangel: The paths of Mont-Saint-Michel
Eleven paths to Mont-Saint-Michel (3900 km in total) starting from Winchester, Cherbourg, Barfleur, Caen, Amiens via Rouen, Orléans via Chartres, Paris, Clisson, Angers , Tours and Saint-Malo.
Peter (died c. 64): the Via francigena and the Via ligeria
There Via francigenafrom Canterbury (Great Britain) to Rome (2000 km), and the Via ligeriafrom Saint-Pierre de Nantes to Saint-Pierre de Rome (2098 km).
James the Greater (died v. 44): the path to Santiago de Compostela
Four major routes in France (departing from Paris, Vézelay, Le Puy-en-Velay and Arles), one main route (the Camino francés) and several others in Spain, and many paths from all over Europe.
Mary Magdalene (1st century): a saint from Provence
A 222 km route from Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer (Bouches-du-Rhône) to Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume (Var).
Veronica (1st century) in Gironde and the Lot
A 500 km journey in the footsteps of Saint Veronica and Saint Amadour, from Soulac-sur-Mer (Gironde) to Rocamadour (Lot).
Agathe (died in 251) in Puy-de-Dôme
A 100 km loop that crisscrosses Puy-de-Dôme to learn about the life of Saint Agathe.
Martin (316-397): from Poitou to Touraine
A 500 km loop in Touraine-Poitou formed by 3 paths (the path of the bishop of Tours, the path of the Summer of Saint-Martin, the path of Ligugé) and four major European paths (the path of Szombathely , the path to Trier, the path to Utrecht, the path to Zaragoza) in the footsteps of Saint Martin of Tours.
Bruno (c. 1030 – 1101): the monastery of Grande-Chartreuse
An 8 km route in the Chartreuse massif, around the Grande-Chartreuse monastery founded by Saint Bruno.
Francis of Assisi (1181-1226): the path to Assisi
A 1500 km path linking Vézelay to Assisi, following in the footsteps of two companions of Saint Francis who made this journey to found the first Franciscan settlement in Vézelay.
Joan of Arc (1412-1431): an itinerary in the Loiret
An 80 km route from Cléry-Saint-André to Gien (Loiret), connecting the places which marked the life of Joan of Arc.
Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556) in Spain
A 650 km path that the knight Ignatius of Loyola traveled in 1522, from Loyola to Manresa (Spain).
Vincent de Paul (1581-1660) in Yvelines
A 9.5 km trail in the footsteps of Saint Vincent de Paul, in the Versailles plain (Yvelines).
Thérèse of Lisieux (1873-1897) in Normandy
Several routes (in Alençon, in Lisieux, and from Alençon to Lisieux), linking the places where Saint Thérèse and her parents, the Martin couple, lived.
