If you’re thinking about doing the Camino de Santiago this summer, we’ve got some news that will make your experience even more special.
From June 14 to October 12, 2025, thanks to an initiative by the Junta de Castilla y León, no fewer than 41 historical monuments in 32 towns along the French Way will open to the public. And this isn’t something that happens every year.
It’s a truly exceptional opportunity, planned specifically for the months with the highest number of pilgrims. A unique chance to discover Romanesque churches, hermitages, and other cultural treasures that are usually closed or have very limited visiting hours.
So, if you’re walking the Camino de Santiago this summer—or even just considering it—2025 is the perfect year to go: your Camino will also become an unforgettable cultural journey.
A cultural route more alive than ever
The French Way is the most historic route of the Camino de Santiago. Not only because of its stunning landscapes or its spiritual significance, but also because it spans centuries of history—medieval monasteries, Romanesque and Gothic art, and living traditions that still echo through every Jacobean town.
Now, with this special opening of 41 monuments, the Camino becomes a true open-air museum.
And we’re not just talking about big cathedrals—though there are some amazing ones—but about small hidden gems that often go unnoticed: stone churches in the middle of the Castilian fields, old rural hermitages, historic buildings that have witnessed the passing of centuries and thousands of pilgrims before you.
Don’t miss the opening of 41 monuments on the French Way
Mark the dates: June 14 to October 12, 2025.
That’s the only period when the French Way Monument Opening Program will be active. After that, many of these places will return to their usual timetables—some even closed for the rest of the year.
That’s why it’s important: if you’re doing the Camino this summer, don’t miss this chance. It’s not something that happens every season.
French Way 2025: a complete cultural experience
Even under normal circumstances, the French Way boasts the most heritage-rich route of the Camino de Santiago. But this summer, its cultural value will multiply.
You’ll be able to:
- Access monuments that are usually closed.
- Enrich each stage with cultural visits without leaving the route.
- Connect more deeply with the Camino’s history and soul.
- Support local development, since opening these sites benefits the towns along the Way.
Monuments you can visit on the French Way in 2025
While the full list is available for download [here], here’s a sneak peek of what awaits:
- Romanesque churches in Redecilla del Camino, Viloria de Rioja, Belorado, Agés, and Tardajos (Burgos province).
- Churches and historic buildings in Carrión de los Condes and Frómista (Palencia).
- The Church of Santa María in Cacabelos, along with other monuments in 19 towns across León province.
In total: 41 monuments across 32 towns, spanning the provinces of Burgos, Palencia, and León.
Monuments opened for pilgrims
Another great thing: opening times are tailored to the pace of pilgrims. You won’t have to adjust your stages just to visit these sites.
If you walk the Camino with a planned tour—like the ones we offer at Rutas Meigas, with private accommodations and luggage transfer between stages—it’s even easier. You can plan each day at your own rhythm, knowing you’ll have time to enjoy these cultural stops.
The French Way: an open-air museum
Why should you take advantage of this 2025 opportunity?
- Because this is an exceptional event: only from June to October 2025.
- Because the French Way will be, more than ever, a living museum.
- Because each of these monuments adds history, art, and meaning to your steps.
- Because walking next to a Romanesque church isn’t the same as stepping inside it and feeling its atmosphere.
- Because it’s a way to help preserve and appreciate this unique heritage.
Summer 2025: a cultural Camino
Tips for a more cultural Camino de Santiago this summer:
- Plan your route knowing which monuments are open in each stage.
- Take your time with each visit. There’s no rush on the Camino.
- Respect the spaces—they are part of the heritage and memory of the local communities.
- Use the informational materials offered to learn more about each place’s history.
Above all: enjoy it. This isn’t just a Camino. This year, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime cultural journey.
Walking the French Way in 2025 Is Walking Through History
The Camino de Santiago has always been a crossroads. But this summer, thanks to the opening of these 41 monuments, it’s also a gateway to the past.
A past you can now step into, from June to October 2025. A summer to walk not just through trails and villages, but through centuries of history, art, and culture.
If you’re excited to discover this more cultural French Way, Rutas Meigas can help organize the experience your way—so your journey becomes truly unforgettable.
Buen Camino!
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