Walking 500 Miles Across France After Retirement | Via Podiensis Camino

I walked nearly 500 miles across France on the Via Podiensis, often called the Chemin du Puy or GR65, one of the oldest Camino de Santiago routes—beginning in Le Puy-en-Velay and ending in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. This journey marked my first step into retirement… and became something much more. Along the way, I experienced the satisfyingrhythm of pilgrimage life—communal meals in gîtes, long days of walking through farmland and medieval villages, and moments of unexpected connection. I crossed the Aubrac plateau, stayed at the Abbaye Sainte-Foy in Conques, and followed the beautiful (and less traveled) Célé variant through limestone valleys and cliffside towns like Saint-Cirq-Lapopie. There were moments of joy, simplicity, and community… and also moments of deep personal loss. The Camino has a way of meeting you where you are. 🎒 Route: Via Podiensis (GR65 / Chemin du Puy) 📍 Distance: ~500 miles / 800 km 📅 Filmed: September–October 2025 If you're considering walking the Camino in France—or simply curious what it’s like—this is a look at the experience beyond the guidebooks.