THE ASSOCIATION
Our Objectives
- To welcome at Saintes the pilgrims on the ’chemin de St. Jacques’ in a manner fitting the ideological, political and religious ethos of UNESCO of which the route “Via Turonensis” is a part.
- Manage and organise a gite jacquaire for their use.
- Contribute to the promotion of the values of the heritage connected to the ’chemin de St. Jacques’ liaising with all people, services or associations with similar aims.
Historic
The Association follows a general format developed in the late 1990’s
- in 1998 Pathways Compostela and associated monuments ( eg. Church of St. Eutrope) registered with UNESCO World Heritage
- in ’99 the 50 year jubilee,
- route markers in the Charente-Maritime: the General Council of our departement established 272 Saintonge stone markers between La Villedieu and Mirambeau.
- the creation of the Association for the route of St. Jacques was initiated by some passionate ’jacquets’ and other lovers of the Saintonge and Aunis.
- the official inauguration was 14th July 2001. Madame Jacqueline Colson was Chairperson for seven years and was succeeded by Madame Marylène Millié in January, 2008 and by Madame Brigitte de Verdelhan in January, 2011.