So You Want to Learn About the Via Podiensis?

While I didn’t make it back to the Via Podiensis this summer, it has been a huge point of emphasis for me over these past few years, as we prepared the Cicerone guidebook for launch, and now an upcoming reprint. The guidebook, of course, is a great way to learn about the route, but if you’d like to whet your appetite, or build on what you’ve learned there, I can offer a couple of options for you:

The Camino Podcast Via Podiensis Series

Over the first half of 2023, I completed a full series of episodes on the route, with each focused on three to four book stages. Each episode begins with a conversation with an experienced pilgrim, wherein we share prominent memories from the walk. That is followed by a more thematic or academic discussion, digging deeper into some topic that is specific to that stage.

Direct links to each episode in the series follow on Soundcloud, but note that the podcast is also available on Apple, Spotify, and Google if you prefer to subscribe directly.

Episode 60 – The Via Podiensis, Part 1 – A Saint and His Very Good Dog: Chloe Rose Stuart-Ulin discusses the walk from Le Puy-en-Velay and Aumont-Aubrac, and then Dr. Louise Marshall shares insights into Saint Roch.

Episode 62 – The Via Podiensis, Part 2 – The Aubrac Mood: Melinda Lusmore leads us on from Aumont-Aubrac to Estaing, and then Michelle Crawford discusses the glorious Aubrac cattle.

Episode 63 – The Via Podiensis, Part 3 – Stolen Relics and Closed Mines: In this over-stuffed episode, Bennett Voyles guides us from Estaing to Figeac, Dr. Patrick Geary explores the theft of relics in the Middle Ages (and Conques in particular), and Dr. Donald Reid unpacks the history of Decazeville.

Episode 65 – The Via Podiensis, Part 4 – The Price of Wine Is Eternal Vigilance: Bronwen Perry leads us on the GR65 from Figeac to Cahors, and then Dr. George Gale explains the phylloxera epidemic, which imperiled the global wine industry in the 19th century.

Episode 66 – The Via Podiensis, Part 5 – Rocamadour: One of the alternative routes from Figeac follows the GR6 to the great pilgrimage site of Rocamadour. Sean Morton and Sonya Richmond discuss the walk, then Dr. Deana Weibel offers perspective on the shrine.

Episode 68 – The Via Podiensis, Part 6 – Superlative Overload in the Célé Valley: For the third episode in a row, we walk from Figeac to Cahors, this time on the GR-651 variant. Kerri Daniels is cheerleader-in-chief for the walk, and then Maureen Cashman discusses village life in Espagnac-Sainte-Eulalie.

Episode 69 – The Via Podiensis, Part 7: Kill Them All, Let the Historians Sort It Out: France Fehr helps us finally make it south of Cahors, en route to Moissac, and then historian Dr. Mark Gregory Pegg corrects the record on Cathars.

Episode 70 – The Via Podiensis, Part 8: Duck!: Dennis and Laurie Brooke pick up the thread in Moissac, guiding us on to Condom, and then Dr. Jean Lavigne dishes on duck.

Episode 71 – The Via Podiensis, Part 9: Roman Ruins, If You Want To: Kevin Greenstreet brings us southward from Condom to Aire-sur-l’Adour, and then Dr. Simon Esmonde Cleary discusses the significant Roman ruins in this section.

Episode 72 – The Via Podiensis, Part 10: Pushing on to Saint-Jean: In the final episode in the series, we double up on stages, with Robert Deming leading us to Navarrenx, and three high schoolers carrying us to the finish line.

June-July 2021 Scouting Trip Blog Posts

In my final re-walk of the Via Podiensis prior to book publication, I produced daily write-ups of the experience each day. Those posts are all compiled below:

Prelude: A Whole Day in Le Puy-en-Velay