THE WAY OF SAINT JAMES OF COMPOSTELA

Varaire, a historic stopover between Cajarc and Cahors

In Varaire, a village crossed by three GR®, you are first on the most famous of them, the GR®65 . You have 1208 km left to reach Santiago de Compostela, having left 15 days earlier from Puy-en-Velay (or Geneva Via Gebennensis).

You will have crossed the Haute-Loire and the Aubrac, discovering the Lot and this Causse du Quercy classified as a UNESCO world heritage site, so special with its downy oaks everywhere and its stones everywhere too. The farmers say here: "the stones, they grow in the fields".

After Figeac and its celebrity Champollion, after Cajarc and its celebrities, Sagan, Coluche and Pompidou, the Limogne region awaits you, more discreet and yet so lively, for a beautiful stopover which will allow you to discover a large quantity of elements of rural heritage built in dry stone, low walls, cazelles and gariottes and beautiful dolmens, some of which are listed.

Two other GR ®

The GR ® 36 opens the doors of the Pyrénées Orientales to you, passing through the region via Saint Cyr Lapopie, Villefranche de Rouergue, Cordes sur Ciel, Carcassonne, the peak of Bugarach to finish at Bourg-Madame and Puigcerdà on the Spanish side. You will have crossed France from North to South, from the beaches of Normandy to the foothills of the Pyrenees.

The GR®46 opens the doors of Toulouse to you, passing through the region via Saint Cyr Lapopie, Caylus and Saint Antonin-Nobleval. From the Loire Valley, with its vineyards and majestic castles, to the green hills of Berry, each stage offers unique panoramas. A descent from Tours to Toulouse for a journey back in time through the history of France.

All pilgrims, walkers, hikers, cyclists or horse riders are welcome at L'Escale de Varaire.

More personal message to pilgrims staying at L'Escale de Varaire

On the reason for being of a Credential

On the Way of Saint James, the Credential is essential to prove your status as a pilgrim and to access the accommodation and special rates dedicated to you because doing the Way of Saint James is not a hike like the others!...

In the past, bishops issued pilgrims with a certificate that allowed them to travel, while authenticating their status as pilgrims.

It allowed the distinction between true pilgrims and those who took to the road to flee their family or their military duties... This letter of credence attested to the status of pilgrim of the person who held it, inviting the various authorities, the Church and all the men encountered along the way to offer him help and protection.

Today, it allows us to distinguish the true pilgrim from the simple tourist on a hike. It invites us to respect the people who welcome you and the operating rules of their accommodation.

The crédencial (issued by associations and other secular structures) or the créanciale (issued by the Church) are the heirs. It is not obligatory to be Christian to apply for it. It must be stamped at each stage by your host, a tourist office, the parish priest, the town hall or the police.

It allows the contemporary pilgrim, walker, cyclist or rider going to Compostela:

✨ to access the lodgings reserved for him with the benefit of special rates (mandatory document in Spain and recommended in France as well as in other countries),

✨ to obtain the Compostela (pilgrimage certificate) upon arrival in Santiago de Compostela (issued under certain conditions),

✨ to keep a pleasant memory of his unforgettable journey…

Pilgrim! On the Way of Saint James, you agree to respect the infrastructures that are set up voluntarily and/or selflessly at your disposal. You help as much as possible with the maintenance of the lodgings by leaving your financial contribution. You are respectful of the times indicated to you for the closures of the shelters. You are also respectful of nature, of other people's property, and of the hospitality of the people who welcome you.

Have a good trip, Ultreia e sus eia!