Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage | Office de Tourisme de Vendôme

Although the Turonensis route is no longer as popular as it once was, it is certainly still the easiest, thanks to its gentler terrain.
So don’t hesitate any longer: set off on the Camino de Compostela!
From Paris to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, via the Vendôme region, you’ll discover towns and villages with a rich architectural and cultural heritage dating back thousands of years.
To prepare your stopovers in Vendôme: compostelle41.fr

The Way of St James in the Vendôme area…

From Vendôme to Château-Renault, there are two signposted itineraries: one follows the GR 655 along the Loir Valley, passing through Lavardin; the other, more direct, takes part of the GR 35 through the plains of the Beauce tail (Villiersfaux, Ambloy). Both converge at Prunay-Cassereau.
Volunteers from the Compostelle 41 association have collected all the information you need for your project: routes from Cloyes-sur-le Loir to Château-Renault, via Vendôme (with GPX tracks), accommodation, Jacobean sites….

You can also follow the Santiago de Compostela cycle route.

Coquille sur une porte - Saint-Jacques de Compostelle

Pélerins de Compostelle devant une église

Vendôme accommodation for pilgrims

To find accommodation, please contact the Compostelle 41 association.
The Compostelle 41 association manages a list of accommodation for pilgrims in Loir-et-Cher.
As well as family hostels, this list includes gîtes, youth hostels, campsites and bed and breakfasts in the Loir-et-Cher that offer services likely to be of interest to pilgrims.

The Credential

Nowadays, the credential (issued by the associations) and the credantiale (issued by the Church) or “pilgrim’s book” are the credentials formerly issued by the Church to those travelling to Compostela to enable them to cross the territories while authenticating their status as pilgrims.

What is the purpose of the credential?
– Access to accommodation reserved for pilgrims (the credential is compulsory in Spain and recommended in France and other countries).
– to obtain the “COMPOSTELLA” when you arrive in Santiago de Compostela.

You must prove that you have walked the last 100 kilometres or cycled or ridden the last 200 kilometres by having your credential stamped twice a day.

Who is it for?
Pilgrims on foot have priority over those on bicycles. Those making their pilgrimage with the support of a car should look for accommodation separate from the Pilgrims’ huts. To walkers, cyclists and horse riders on their way to Compostela.
The credential is a nominative and personal document, valid for life and on all the routes leading to Santiago de Compostela, in all countries.

Where can you get it stamped?
In accommodation, tourist offices, town halls, churches, shops, gendarmeries, etc… all the places that can attest to your visit.
In Vendôme :
– at the Office de Tourisme de Vendôme – Territoires Vendômois, during public opening hours – Tel: 02.54.77.05.07
– at the Madeleine presbytery, 4 rue St-Jacques, Vendôme – Tel: 02 54 23 38 00

What do I do when there’s no more room for stamps?
Staple a free sheet of paper or a free “extension” (available in various places in Spain: gîtes, associations).

Please note! Always keep the original credential with you!

The credential in no way replaces the National Identity Card or Passport, which must be carried with you. It does not give you any special rights.

European residents are advised to apply for the European Health Insurance Card from their Caisse Primaire. This card exempts you from having to pay medical expenses in advance if you are hospitalised abroad.

Various pilgrimage associations issue the credential under certain conditions (membership of the association is compulsory) and at widely varying rates.

If you enjoy being solitary or with others, meeting people, being in nature, taking a break, this is for you !

Sur les chemins de Compostelle, Vendôme proche des châteaux de la Loire...

Even more experience

Visit of the town of Vendôme