3 Quiet Rules on How to Walk the Camino in France (Via Podiensis · GR65 · Chemin du Puy)
- Camino Way of Life
- Dec 18, 2025
- 3 min read
If you’ve ever dreamed of walking the Camino de Santiago in France—on the Via Podiensis (GR65 / Chemin du Puy)—you know it’s more than just a hike. It’s a journey of trust, patience, and presence. Over the years, I’ve discovered three simple, quiet rules that make the GR65 Camino not only manageable but profoundly transformative.
Rule #1 — Trust the Waymarking
One of the first lessons of the Camino is simple: trust the path.
The GR65 is marked with red and white blazes, quietly guiding you from village to village, field to field. Thanks to the devoted efforts of volunteers, the marking system is both easy and excellent. You’ll quickly notice how your eyes sharpen, spotting a blaze from far away—on a rock, a tree, or a village corner. It almost becomes a game: a tiny victory every time you catch a sign before you start doubting yourself.
Red and white signs appear just when you begin to wonder if you’ve lost your way. And if you miss one, it’s usually because you were deep in thought, or laughing and talking with a fellow pilgrim. Missing a blaze is part of the Camino, too. Step after step, the way reveals itself, teaching you to trust what is already guiding you, even when your mind questions it.
Rule #2 — Trust You’ll Find a Bed
Another lesson the Camino teaches is to trust that a place to rest will appear, even if it’s not what you imagined.
Not every night will be a private room or perfectly quiet. Sometimes it’s a dormitory full of snoring pilgrims. Sometimes you may need to walk a little further to the next village. And yet, there will always be a roof, a warm welcome, a meal, and a chance to rest your tired body. Often, these unexpected nights become the most memorable, filled with stories and laughter that no private room could provide.
The Camino provides—but rarely on our exact terms. Part of the magic is learning to let go of control and embrace whatever arrives with gratitude.
Rule #3 — Embrace the Whole Experience
The Camino is not meant to be curated or comfortable. It asks you to meet every moment honestly, whether it’s joy or fatigue, ease or struggle.
There will be laughter and long stretches of silence, days that feel effortless and days that make you question why you came at all. Blisters, wrong turns, and moments of wanting to quit are all part of the experience.
By embracing the full spectrum—the beauty and the discomfort—you allow the Camino to do its quiet work: to steady you, to undo you, and ultimately, to open you. Almost without noticing, you arrive changed.
Walking the Camino with Trust
Follow these three quiet rules:
Trust the waymarking
Trust you’ll find a bed
Embrace the whole experience
Do this, and the Camino will guide you in ways you never imagined. The path will reveal itself. The nights will provide rest. The moments of struggle and joy will shape you.
If you’re planning your own journey, Rob’s Camino Guide: Walking the Via Podiensis made simple is a practical, trusted resource for walking the Via Podiensis with confidence while leaving space for the Camino to work its quiet magic.
You don’t just walk the Camino—the Camino walks you home.
Kate
About me
Hi, I'm Kate.
I’m a pilgrim, and I love walking the Via Podiensis (also known as the GR65 or Le Puy route).
Pilgrimage is my passion, and this route in particular holds a special place in my heart. I regularly share reflections, experiences, and practical tips on our Facebook group dedicated to the Via Podiensis.
It’s a welcoming space, full of encouragement and advice—a lovely place to start preparing for your Camino. Come join us!
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