Paris to the Pyrenees: A Skeptic Pilgrim Walks the Way of Saint James par David Downie

David Downie's account of his pilgrimage along the French portion of the Way of Saint James from Paris to Roncesvalles, Spain, offers a vivid exploration of rural Burgundy and its historical layers. The journey, initially intended to span 750 miles but cut short due to injury, provides a detailed visit to a region marked by traces of Gallo-Roman history, Resistance legacy, and modern abandonment. Downie's musings on the area's past, stimulated by readings of Julius Caesar’s Conquest of Gaul, contrast with his experiences of reclusive locals and colorful innkeepers. The work, enhanced by Alison Harris's photography, appeals to general readers interested in French travel and historical evocation, particularly its solitary northern route preference over crowded southern stretches.

Strange, A. J. (2014). Paris to the Pyrenees: A Skeptic Pilgrim Walks the Way of Saint James par David Downie. The French Review, 88(2), 245–246. https://doi.org/10.1353/tfr.2014.0054