Also called the Arles Way, the Via Tolosana is one of the four main routes of the road to Santiago de Compostela. It’s the second busiest Jacquaire route (route of St. Jacques) in France. It leads 800 kilometres (497 mi) from Arles to the Col du Somport on the Spanish border, with 13,500 metres (44,300 ft) of elevation gain. You’ll cross three regions and eight departments: Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur (Bouches-du-Rhône) Occitanie (Gard, Hérault, Tarn, Haute-Garonne, Gers) and Nouvelle-Aquitaine (Hautes-Pyrénées, Pyrénées-Atlantiques).

The route owes its name to the city of Toulouse, which it crosses at roughly the half-way point. You can travel it in both directions: towards Compostela as a pilgrimage, or towards Rome for its history. The path mainly follows Roman roads and medieval paths.

Undertaking a pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago means embarking on a unique spiritual and physical journey through extraordinary landscapes; it’s a rich and diverse experience. From the green plains of the Camargue to the valleys of the Pyrenees, each stage abounds in natural beauty. The Via Tolosana passes through historic towns such as Arles, Montpellier, Toulouse and Auch, as well as picturesque small villages. Saint-Gilles, Lunas, Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert and Borce are full of charm and local traditions, adding a cultural dimension to your journey.

This Collection guides you along the entire route in seven stages, ranging in length from 95 to 140 kilometres (59 to 87). You’ll find a railway station in each stopover town, with the sole exception of the final destination at the Col de Somport. Here, you can retrace your steps to Bedous, where the nearest train station on the French side of the border is located. Alternatively, the Pyrénées-Atlantiques interurban network offers at least four buses per day, which connect the pass to Bedous. Each section requires approximately one to two weeks of walking. The entire route varies from two to four months, depending on your walking level and the chosen pace.

Along the way, there are numerous accommodation and catering options. Depending on the time of year, I recommend booking your stay well in advance. For the more adventurous, wild camping is tolerated throughout the route.

Although passable during a large part of the year, the most pleasant period is from June to October, when you’ll benefit from longer, sunnier days. For the final part of the route, choose the summer period, when it’s snow-free. As for equipment, bring warm, waterproof clothing at all times of the year and pack according to the seasons.

All that remains for is to wish you a superb adventure at the foot of the Pyrenees!