Ten routes have been established across Normandy which lead in from various parts of France and Europe.
The English Pilgrims’ Ways in Normandy (from Cherbourg and Barfleur)
Follow in the footsteps of the English pilgrims who used to set off from Winchester Cathedral. Arriving in France they took either the inland route from the port at Barfleur or the coastal route from the port of Cherbourg.
In England
You could also take the English part of the trail following the Pilgrims’ Trail. This is 45 km long (28 miles) linking Winchester Cathedral with Portsmouth. See the guide available from Hampshire County Council..
The Paris route
The Chartres route
The Caen route
The Rouen route
From Mont-Saint-Michel to Santiago de Compostela
In order to link these two great sanctuaries, the association Chemins du Mont-Saint-Michel has signed amical accords with associations of the Friends of Compostlla in Anjou, Touraine, Maine, Brittany, Normandy.
Today there are three routes linking Mont-Saint-Michel with Saint-Jean-d’Angély where they join the route from Tours to Compostela.
The first of these crosses Brittany and the Vendée via Pontorson, Rennnes, Nantes, Clisson, Montaigu and Surgères.
The second goes via Saint-James, Fougères, Vitré, Pouancé, Angers, Le Puy-Notre-Dame, Parthenay and Niort.
The third goes via Saint-James, Mayenne, Sillé-le-Guillaume, La Mans and Tours.
These three routes are way-marked in both directions. Those heading south to Compostela (the Jacquets) follow the Compostela ‘scallop shell’ signs and share the trail with those heading north to Mont-Saint-Michel (the Miquelots) who follow the Saint-Michel logos.
Historical conferences
Owing to popular demand for greater knowledge of pilgrimage and the cult of St Michael, the association organises a bi-annual day-long conference on the Spring St Michaels Day (May 8). The findings are published by the association for the next conference.
