The Practical Guide to Following the Tours Way to Compostela

The Miam Miam Dodo Tours and Paris Way guide accompanies pilgrims and hikers on one of the major French routes to Santiago de Compostela. This route, also known as the Via Turonensis, connects Paris to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, at the foot of the Pyrenees, before the possible continuation to Spain and the Camino Francés.

This guide covers the two main branches of the Tours Way: the Paris-Chartres-Tours branch and the Paris-Orléans-Tours branch. It allows you to choose your itinerary according to your starting point, your preferences, and the desired stages.

A Historic, Accessible, and Heritage-Rich Route

The Tours Way is one of the oldest routes to Santiago de Compostela. It was once very popular with pilgrims coming from northern France and Europe. Its route crosses areas with remarkable heritage, featuring numerous religious buildings, historical monuments, and examples of Romanesque art.

From a physical standpoint, this route is known for its moderate terrain. It is therefore particularly suitable for walkers looking for a gradual, accessible, and easily divisible Camino de Santiago. Its proximity to several railway lines also makes it possible to organize the journey into several stages or to repeat the route year after year.

A Miam Miam Dodo guide designed for self-sufficiency

The Miam Miam Dodo guide is particularly appreciated by pilgrims for its practical information. It helps you know where to sleep, where to eat, where to resupply, and how to plan your stages. The detailed maps, plans, distances, and difficulty ratings allow you to prepare each day of walking with greater peace of mind.

This guide is ideal for long-distance hikers, Camino de Santiago pilgrims, and walkers who wish to travel independently on the Paris-Tours route. For cyclists, certain sections can be adapted, notably the greenway along the Loire River between Orléans and Tours.

Guide Highlights

• Guide dedicated to the Tours Way / Via Turonensis
• Route from Paris to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
• Two branches included: Paris – Chartres – Tours and Paris – Orléans – Tours
• Detailed mapping with 166 maps
• Accurate 1:37,000 scale
• Distances, elevation gains, and difficulty levels
• Historical and religious information
• List of 750 accommodations
• Approximately 500 restaurants and services
• Practical guide for planning a self-guided pilgrimage
• Itinerary easily divisible thanks to the proximity of the rail network

FAQ

Which Camino de Santiago route does this Miam Miam Dodo guide cover?

This guide covers the Tours Way, also known as the Via Turonensis, between Paris, Tours, and Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. It includes the Paris-Chartres-Tours and Paris-Orléans-Tours branches.

Does this guide help with planning accommodation along the route?

Yes, the guide lists numerous accommodations, restaurants, and services useful to pilgrims. This is one of the main strengths of the Miam Miam Dodo guides.

Is the Tours route difficult?

The Tours route is considered one of the most physically accessible routes to Santiago de Compostela, with generally moderate terrain. However, it remains a long-distance route that requires good preparation.

Can the Tours route be done in stages?

Yes, this route is easy to break down. Its proximity to several train lines makes it possible to organize the journey in sections, over several trips or even several years.

Is this guide suitable for cyclists?

The guide is primarily intended for walkers and pilgrims. While some sections can be adapted for cycling, particularly the greenway along the Loire River between Orléans and Tours, the entire route is not always suitable for cycling.