Backpacking to Compostela

A family hike from Le Puy-en-Velay to Santiago de Compostela.

A legendary 1,000 mile route seen through the eyes of a child.

It took Aurélie, Laurent and their two children four months to walk to Santiago de Compostela, taking the most famous route: from Le Puy-en-Velay to Cahors, then from Cahors to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. This was an amazing family project in which the voyage itself became the best school of life possible: both parents and children learned to develop an openness to others, to share, and to observe nature. They recount their adventures in four sections:

1. Logbook – a day-by-day account of their trip, full of anecdotes.

2. Discovery – information and photos concerning the nicest scenery, places to see, traditional cuisine, festivals… everything they encounter along the age-old route.

3. “Mum/Dad! What is… ?” – The answers to questions the children ask about history, religion and culture.

4. Thinking about Nature – lots of ideas and tips for what to do along the route or when you need to summon up the energy to face up to difficult conditions.