Lessons and Tips from My Camino Journey on the Via Podiensis (GR65) 🥾✨
- Camino Way of Life
- Oct 24
- 4 min read
Walking the Camino de Santiago through France — especially the Via Podiensis (GR65) from Le Puy-en-Velay to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port — is a life-changing adventure.Whether you’re preparing your first pilgrimage or simply dreaming of one, these insights and lessons from my own journey may help guide your steps.
1. Take Your Time
Don’t rush your Camino. Avoid booking every night before you begin — you’ll want to feel the rhythm of the route first. Start gently with shorter stages and gradually increase distance as your energy grows.
Many gîte owners along the GR65 are happy to help with phone calls or logistics, even if your French isn’t perfect. Booking only the first 3–5 nights, then reserving as you go, allows for flexibility — and that’s where the Camino’s magic often happens.
🗓️ When to walk: May and September are the most popular months, followed by June. A little advance planning (and a flexible mindset) will make your experience far more relaxed.
2. Trust the Waymarking
Even if you’ve never walked in France, the GR65 waymarking is exceptional — clear, consistent, and reassuring. The iconic red-and-white blazes guide you through forests, farmland, and historic villages.Most navigation errors happen only when you’re lost in conversation or deep in thought!
👉 Learn more: Waymarking on the Via Podiensis
3. Stay in Gîtes
Gîtes d’étape are at the heart of the French Camino experience. Many offer demi-pension (dinner and breakfast included), where you’ll share delicious, home-cooked meals and stories with fellow pilgrims.
It’s a lovely chance to taste traditional French cooking and experience local hospitality.That said, occasionally skip demi-pension if you want more control over your meals — for example, if you need extra protein or more vegetables.
👉 Learn more: The Gîte Experience on the Via Podiensis
4. Always Carry a Day’s Supply of Food
A small picnic can save your day. Pack cheese, sausage, nuts, and fruit — just in case village shops are closed or there’s a long stretch without services.
5. Pack Light and Smart — Camino Tips Included 🪶
Even if you’re using a bag transport service, you should still be able to lift and carry your pack. The Camino is long — every extra kilo adds up. Focus on essentials that make the journey easier, lighter, and more comfortable.
My Camino packing essentials and favorite hacks:
Merino wool clothing (socks, underwear, or base layers): temperature-regulating, odor-resistant, moisture-wicking, and soft on the skin.
Layer your clothing — mornings can be chilly, afternoons warm, and evenings cool again.
Hiking poles for tricky descents, muddy trails, or balance on uneven ground.
A lightweight sleeping liner, since most gîtes provide blankets but not always freshly washed ones.
An OPINEL pocket knife (easily found in Le Puy or along the way) for meals, snacks, or impromptu picnics.
Reusable containers for salads or leftovers, and a few clothes pins to dry items on your pack.
A small S-hook for hanging your backpack in dormitories.
A small notebook for notes, reflections, or sketches — it often becomes your dearest companion.
The goal isn’t to carry everything you might need — only what you truly will.Lightness isn’t just physical; it’s part of the Camino mindset.
6. Communication
About 95% of daily interactions along the GR65 are in French.Even a few basic phrases go a long way — and locals deeply appreciate your effort.Language fatigue is real, so give yourself time to rest and adapt.
👉 Helpful resource: French for Pilgrims (GR65)
7. Prepare Before, Then Let Go
Before your walk, prepare well — study maps, guides, and basic logistics. But once you set foot on the trail, let go.
I met people clutching guidebooks and phones, constantly checking GPS — but the Camino rewards presence more than perfection.Trust the waymarking, your instincts, and the rhythm of your steps.
For preparation, these resources can help:
A beautifully designed, 87-page guide covering every stage from Le Puy to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, including maps, elevation profiles, gîte listings, services, and WhatsApp contacts. Built from 12+ years of experience creating trusted tools for pilgrims.
Designed by a native French speaker and Camino pilgrim, this course focuses on real-life French for pilgrims — from gîte check-ins to trail emergencies — helping you connect authentically with locals and fellow walkers.
8. The Real Lesson of the Camino
Every day on the Camino holds lessons — some practical, others deeply personal.You’ll learn to listen to your body, to the wind, and to the silence between footsteps.
Wherever your journey leads, may you walk far, eat well, listen deeply, and savor every single moment. 🌿
About me
I’m Kate — a pilgrim, writer, and lover of slow journeys. The Camino de Santiago, especially the Via Podiensis in France, has deeply shaped the way I move through the world: with curiosity, lightness, and gratitude. Through Camino Way of Life, I share practical guidance and heartfelt reflections to help others prepare for their walk while staying open to the quiet transformations that unfold along the way. To me, the Camino isn’t just a route — it’s a living path of awareness, presence, and renewal.
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