Route from the Pyrenean Piedmont to Santiago de Compostela Carcassonne to Fanjeaux - GR 78

In the Middle Ages, the journey along the Camino de Santiago was an important spiritual epic.Pilgrims took a route that led them through Carcassonne, the Camin romieu to Compostela.

Signs : Red and white* WARNING: Global description of the itinerary. For more details on this trail, the purchase of the IGN map or the guidebook is recommended.Start of the hike at the Notre Dame de la Santé chapel at the beginning of the Pont Vieux which crosses the Aude, at the foot of the city of Carcassonne. This small chapel was adjacent to the Saint Jacques hospital, which has now disappeared.
Leave Carcassonne along the river.You will pass through the hamlets of Maquens and Villalbe to the Taure lake in the middle of a pine forest. Then you reach the villages of Lavalette... join Alairac by the vineyars , a beautiful example of circular village ... then Arzens (Jacquaire stop: communal lodging), an old fortified village.You will enjoy the evening stopover in Montréal d'Aude (Jacquaire stopover: communal lodging), a village perched on a hill from which a magnificent 14th century collegiate church dominates.12.9 km further on is the charming village of Fanjeaux, also on a hilltop, a powerful castrum from the Cathar period. In Fanjeaux you can also follow in the footsteps of Saint Dominic, founder of the Dominican order.From Fanjeaux the GR78 merges with the GR7. The stage between Fanjeaux and Mirepoix (25,9 km) will offer you as many beautiful surprises.