Paris to the Pyrenees cover art

Paris to the Pyrenees

A Skeptic Pilgrim Walks the Way of Saint James

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Paris to the Pyrenees

By: David Downie
Narrated by: P. J. Ochlan
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About this listen

Driven by curiosity, wanderlust, and health crises, David Downie and his wife set out from Paris to walk across France to the Pyrenees. Starting on the Rue Saint-Jacques then trekking 750 miles south to Roncesvalles, Spain, their eccentric route takes 72 days on Roman roads and pilgrimage paths - a 1,100-year-old network of trails leading to the sanctuary of Saint James the Greater. It is best known as El Camino de Santiago de Compostela - "The Way" for short. The object of any pilgrimage is an inward journey manifested in a long, reflective walk. For Downie, the inward journey met the outer one: a combination of self-discovery and physical regeneration. More than 200,000 pilgrims take the highly commercialized Spanish route annually, but few cross France. Downie had a goal: to go from Paris to the Pyrenees on age-old trails, making the pilgrimage in his own maverick way.

©2013 David Downie (P)2013 AudioGO Adventure Travel Europe
All stars
Most relevant
and a fuller explanation of why the second part of the walk isn't fully covered.

Audiobook format needs access to pertinent maps

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Would you try another book written by David Downie or narrated by P. J. Ochlan?

This is not a book about a walk from Paris to the Pyrenees. This is a book about walking in Burgundy, being sure to avoid Taizé. Really disappointed with this book

Would you ever listen to anything by David Downie again?

unlikely

What didn’t you like about P. J. Ochlan’s performance?

the material wasn't great to work with

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

disappointment

Misleading title

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Really interesting. A very different perspective the usual for these sort of stories. Great to get the non-religious side.

Fascinating.

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