The French Way

Stage: Portomarín - Palas de Rei

  • Length 25.1 Km
  • Difficulty Medium
  • Estimated Duration 5h 55min
  • Listen to the stage itinerary

From the hamlet of Gonzar the Way continues through Castromaior and Ligonde, whose hospital received the Emperor Charles I and his son Phillip II, the most well-known pilgrims of the XVI century.

Immediately afterwards, the route enters the land of the municipality of Palas de Rei, which owes its name to a supposed royal palace built in the vicinity

Stage: Portomarín-Palas de Rei

Portomarín- Gonzar

  • Length 8.2 Km
  • Difficulty Medium-High
  • Estimated Duration 1h 35min

We leave Portomarín crossing the reservoir by a pedestrian bridge.

Quite a steep ascent begins here, following the course of the road until it reaches Gonzar, with its church and hostel situated beside the Way

Portomarín - Gonzar

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Gonzar- Vendas de Narón

  • Length 5.2 Km
  • Difficulty Medium
  • Estimated Duration 1h 20min

After Gonzar, we go on to Castromaior, known for its Romanic Church, situated beside a small stream near the remains of an ancient fortified settlement.

We then continue towards O Hospital, crossing a bridge over the main highway which leads to a regional road to Vendas de Narón.

Gonzar - Vendas de Narón

Cross with stones of pilgrims in Vendas de Narón

Vendas de Narón- A Eirexe

  • Length 4.2 Km
  • Difficulty Medium
  • Estimated Duration 1h 05min

We proceed through A Previsa and Os Lameiros, where the little Chapel of San Marcos stands among centenarian oak trees.

We then arrive at Ligonde with some historical remains but very few services, however, there are services in the following town, A Eirexe, where the  hostel is located. Of particular interest is Ligonde where the niches in its cemetery are oriented towards the road, and the narrow hard shoulder is covered with flowers.

Vendas de Naron - A Eirexe

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Base of the Calvary of Ligonde

A Eirexe- Lestedo

  • Length 2.6 Km
  • Difficulty Medium
  • Estimated Duration 40min

The Way continues through several hamlets. In particular, there is a hostel with stables for horses between Portos and Lestedo.

In this stage, separated from the Way is the Romanic Church of Vilar de Donas; a former priory of the Order of Santiago.

A Eirexe - Lestedo

The Way at Lestedo

Lestedo- Palas de Rei

  • Length 4.9 Km
  • Difficulty Medium
  • Estimated Duration 1h 15min

The route continues to A Brea, where there is a diversion for a short stretch until the main highway is joined. This highway continues to just before the entrance to Palas de Rei, by its recreational area, Os Chacotes, where the Pilgrim Pavilion is situated.

Going towards the built-up area of Palas de Rei, we pass the Church of San Tirso. The hostel is opposite the Town Hall in the main street and tends to go unnoticed. In front of the hostel there is a telephone box and there are numerous services nearby.

 

 

Lestedo - Palas de Rei

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Outside of the Church of Vilar de Donas

Interior of the Church of Vilar de Donas

Mural paintings in Church of Vilar de Donas

Stage: Sarria - Portomarín
Stage: Palas de Rei - Melide