The Landes department is located at the crossroads of the four major routes that lead pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela. The Via Turonensis crosses the Landes forest and its great UNESCO-listed sanctuaries, while the Coastal Way, nicknamed the “English Way,” holds lesser-known treasures. Let’s explore!
THE VIA TURONENSIS: from Saugnacq-et-Muret to Sorde-l’Abbaye
It is the oldest route to Compostela, already featured in Aimery Picaud’s Pilgrim’s Guide in the 12th century. Coming from Tours, in Indre-et-Loire, the path crosses part of the Landes de Gascogne Regional Natural Park and its immense pine forest, interspersed with ‘airiaux’ (traditional Landes dwellings) and typical villages. After Dax, France’s first thermal spa town, you discover Sorde-l’Abbaye, at the crossroads of the Basque Country, Béarn, and Chalosse. Founded by the Benedictines in the 12th century, the abbey was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1998. A path of silence, beauty, and meditation.
– Saugnacq-et-Muret > Sorde-l’Abbaye: 150 km
THE VIA LEMOVICENSIS: from Captieux to Sault-de-Navailles
A route for those seeking lost and wild paths! The Way of Vézelay, also called the “Via Lemovicensis,” connects Vézelay (Burgundy) to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port (Basque Country). The route crosses the interior of the Landes, the Armagnac region, Mont-de-Marsan, and the rolling landscapes of Chalosse. A beautiful 90 km journey through Landes territory, culminating in a visit to Saint Sever Abbey, named after the evangelizer of Gascony beheaded in the 5th century, and classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site. In Hagetmau, the medieval crypt of Saint-Girons is also worth a visit. This 12th-century Romanesque gem served as a place of meditation for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela.
– Captieux > Sault-de-Navailles: 90 km
THE VIA PODIENSIS: from Aire-sur-l’Adour to Pimbo
The Way of Le Puy (or Via Podiensis) is certainly the most frequented route of the Way of St. James by pilgrims. Coming from the Massif Central, the Way of Le Puy crosses the southeast of the Landes and its sanctuaries. Between Aire-sur-l’Adour and Pimbo, on the border of the Landes and Pyrénées-Atlantiques, two major sites await discovery. Since the Middle Ages, the church of Aire-sur-l’Adour has continued to attract pilgrims who gather at the sarcophagus of Saint Quitterie, a Visigothic princess secretly baptized. At the borders of the Landes and Béarn, Pimbo is the oldest bastide in the Landes, founded in 1268 by the English around its imposing collegiate church of Saint-Barthélemy.
– Aire-sur-l’Adour > Pimbo: 35 km (Way of Le Puy – GR®65)
THE COASTAL WAY: from Sanguinet to Tarnos
This is the modern pilgrims’ route, known as the “English Way.” The path runs along the Atlantic coast to the entrance of Bayonne, alternating between beaches, lakes, and pine forests. This secondary route of the Compostela pilgrimage takes you through some of the most famous seaside resorts in the Landes: Mimizan, Saint-Girons, Vieux-Boucau, Hossegor… The Templars left many traces, particularly in [ Moliets et Maâ ] [ /cinq-endroits-connus-ou-meconnus-a-visiter-autour-de-moliets-et-maa ]. At the place called “Tuc de la Citadelle,” a Templar commandery welcomed pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. The Commandery no longer exists, but the chapel has been restored and offers a true haven of peace and serenity.
– Sanguinet > Tarnos: 150 km
photo@Stefan Schweihofer, pixabay
