After a few days enjoying Paris, and getting over jetlag, it was time to head across to the Burgundy region ready for the start of my walk along the Chemin de St Jacques from Cluny.
I'd already had a taste of the way of St James in Paris when I explored the little park around the
Tour St-Jacques which was recently restored.
I think I enjoy large train stations almost more than airports- and the Gare de Lyon didn't disappoint with its vitality and colour.
I was taking two trains to get to Burgundy, and then a French friend was picking me up for a 30 minute car ride to his small village. Laroche-Migennes was the first of my train destinations.
It was another French place with spring in full abundance.
I'm a fan of long station platforms as well :-)
A few hours later I was in my friend's house, and they had a statue of St Jacques in the bedroom. He was watching over my transition from tourist to pilgrim...
Next morning I took a walk around the village and nearby countryside. There was a good frost early on, but sunshine as well. The little rounded hills provided a wee taste of the bigger hills soon to come further south in this Burgundy (Bourgogne) region.
And there was another hint of what was to come in this little village: there was a balise on the tree as this village was also on the chemin towards Compostelle.
These were the small markings I was soon going to have to keep a close eye out for so I could find my way along the Cluny Chemin.
There'll be a blog developing over the coming weeks with more about my Cluny Chemin, but it isn't up and running yet....
I can remember how nice it was to get the first "yellow arrow"... it is incredible how being so far away from Santiago, there is a sign leading you there.
ReplyDeleteWonderful pictures and very nice telling as well.
Warm regards from Buenos Aires,
Cris M
Cris, you can't follow yellow arrows on the Cluny route though- they might be some regional trail that will lead you who knows where! The shell balise is very important on the Cluny route, and shows the direction you must take as well- whereas on the CF it is more decorative. In some parts of the route the red and white GR balise is also used, but the two routes don't always coincide so you have to be careful!
DeleteI love taking the train in France. The large stations such as Gare de Lyon are always exciting, great for people watching. Anticipating the arrival of the train in small "gares" in in villages and towns is also exciting. Two minutes to get our bikes, paniers and us on before the whistle!
ReplyDeleteMichèle
Ahhh yes have been there with the bike etc in some stations in the Loire- working out where the bike carriage will stop is also tricky sometimes!
DeleteI have been to the Gare de Lyon and caught one of them really fast trains they have!
ReplyDeleteSimon, not far from the village I was staying in, the TGV track passed by, and we went and waved from the overbridge to a few trains passing underneath. And the train drivers always tooted back!
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