Early in the 9th century the news of the discovery, in Galicia, of the tomb of the Apostle James the Elder resounded like a thunderclap throught Europe. Compostella had burst into history !

From all parts, people set off to go and worship at the Apostle's tomb ...
At first they followed the few existing passages, later improved by the building of bridges, hospices and hospitals maintained by abbeys and protected by military Orders.

A network of Ways formed, attracting pilgrims by the thousand, but later, the Reformation and the Wars of Religion led to St James being forgotten.
In the middle of the 20th century Compostella saw the crowds return. Sections of the Ways were listed as part of UNESCO's World Heritage, and the visit of Pope John Paul II as well as the growing taste for distance-walking once again brought walkers onto the Ways.
Following the Via Podiensis from le Puy en Velay to Compostella, the traveller is inspired by the initiatory and liberating journey which the GR65 follows, and understands more deeply the commitment of those who undertake this Pilgrimage ...