The "Germans' Way" to France: about 886 kilometers from Trier through Lorraine, the Vosges and the Massif Central to Le Puy-en-Velay, the start of the Via Podiensis.
The Trier – Le Puy route is the "Chemin des Allemands," the historic pilgrim road on which German-speaking pilgrims from the Rhineland and the Moselle travelled into France and on toward Santiago. From the Roman city of Trier it runs across Lorraine, past the Vosges and through the eastern Massif Central to Le Puy-en-Velay – the starting point of the famous Via Podiensis.
It's a long, quiet and little-walked route through a France off the tourist trail: farmland, forests, small towns and silent plateaus.
The name "Chemin des Allemands" refers to the German-speaking pilgrims who used this route from the Middle Ages on to reach the main French routes.
Ideal if, as a German-speaking pilgrim, you want to start "on your own doorstep" in Trier and walk without a break to Le Puy and on to Santiago. Anyone seeking stillness, long stages and an unspoiled France is in the right place.
Less suitable if you expect dense pilgrim infrastructure and company: the route is long, lonely and less developed than the Spanish main routes; some basic French helps a lot.
From Trier the route crosses the border into Lorraine, through Metz and the hills of eastern France. It continues south, along the edge of the Vosges and through Burgundy.
In the final third it climbs into the eastern Massif Central and finally reaches Le Puy-en-Velay, with its volcanic rocks and cathedral – where the Via Podiensis begins.
At about 886 kilometers with over 12,500 meters of climb, the route is a big undertaking – mostly gentle ups and downs, but very long. Doable in 36–44 days; many walk it in sections.
Waymarking and infrastructure are thinner than on the Spanish routes – more self-planning for accommodation and stages is needed.
Above all this route is a connector: it ties the German Ways of St. James (including the Mosel-Camino, which ends in Trier) to the great French routes. Starting in Cologne, Koblenz or Trier, you can walk without a break all the way to Le Puy.
Its crowning finish is Le Puy-en-Velay: the town of volcanic rock with the Cathedral of Notre-Dame and the rock chapel of Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe, the traditional starting point of the Via Podiensis.
The route ends in Le Puy-en-Velay – where the Via Podiensis (Chemin du Puy / GR 65) begins and, in about five weeks, leads to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and on via the Camino Francés to Santiago. Before it, the Mosel-Camino connects at Trier. So Trier – Le Puy fits into one continuous pilgrimage from the Rhineland to Galicia.
The best time is spring to autumn. Accommodation is in gîtes, guesthouses and occasional pilgrim lodgings; the network is thin – booking ahead is wise. A pilgrim credential is useful.
France is more expensive than Spain. Budget roughly €40–60 per day (gîtes/guesthouses), plus food.
The starting point is Trier, well connected by train (and the end point of the Mosel-Camino).
"Cosyterroir" Appartement DIJON 51m2
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Abbaye de Maizières
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Abc Hotel
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Accueil Pèlerins - Le Petit Accueil - Chez Isabelle
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Accueil Saint-François
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