Cet article est également disponible en: French
The Chemin de la Liberté, Ariège
For me, for many walkers, the Pyrenees mean freedom: wandering anywhere without worrying about bumping into a hostile landowner. But during the Second World War for many people in occupied France, freedom began at the frontier.
There were many paths to freedom, just as there are many versions of the Saint James’ Way. But unlike the pilgrim trails, the paths to freedom didn’t use the low passes, and the itinerary changed constantly.
Nevertheless, one version was reopened and signposted in 1994: the route from Saint-Girons in the Ariège to Esterri d’Aneu in Catalonia.
In his book “Le chemin de la Liberté” Scott Goodall follows the path taken by British airmen, Jews and young French men fleeing forced labour in Germany. It is a guide to a strenuous five-day walk in the Couserans and the Valier massif interspersed with contemporary accounts from those who followed it during the war.
Reading it made me want to follow in their tracks. As the author says “Walking the Chemin de la Liberté from end to end is a way of bringing this page of history back to life.”
The book is available in both English and French.
More information on http://www.chemindelaliberte.com/
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Le Chemin de la Liberte book, do you sell it? I know there is a museum in Saint Giron (excuse my spelling), but they don’t take credit cards and I can’t find it on Amazon.
Sorry Steve, no I don’t sell it.
Steve Franks, I don’t know if you’ll see this, but if you contact the publishers (Inchmere Design – you can phone them on 01295 661000) you can buy the book from there. They’re actually an events design company, but I think Scott Goodall was the father of the owner of the company (or something like that), so Inchmere took it on to publish the book.