The pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela, the burial site of the Apostle James, traverse all of Europe. For over a thousand years, pilgrims from Central, Western, and Northern Europe have made their way through the southwest of France towards the Pyrenees mountain range, from where they can continue their journey to Santiago. Among the four main routes that pass through France, the Via Podiensis, starting in Le Puy-en-Velay in the southern Massif Central, is considered outstanding in terms of cultural highlights and scenic diversity. Bettina Forst frequently travels this section of the Camino de Santiago in Europe and also guides hiking groups. She describes the Via Podiensis, marked as the long-distance hiking trail GR 65, in a total of 33 stages until it connects with the Spanish Camino in St-Jean-Pied-de-Port / Roncesvalles or at the Col de Somport.