The very last stage in Switzerland I went on pilgrimage with my parish (with Peter and Kurt).
Continuation of my pilgrimage in Geneva. I had already reached this point on the photo.
The road down to the right leads to the park with the Reformers and we take a look at the famous figures.
The Reformers: Farel, Calvin, Beza, Knox
The route takes you along Rue Prévost-Martin past the Eglise St-François.
We pay a short visit to the Eglise St-François.
Shortly afterwards we cross the Arve on the Pont de Carouge.
Now we are in the Carouge district.
At the end of a long square with plane trees is the Sainte-Croix Catholic Church.
Inside the church are huge statues of apostles.
Photo of James the Elder
The organ and much white stucco decoration
We follow the rails of tram line 12.
We leave the tram line at Place du Rondeau and walk up the Route de Drize ...
... and pass a wayside cross.
We reach the village of Saconnex d'Arve.
On narrow paths we climb gently uphill.
On the right we see the tower of a former castle and behind it the panorama of Geneva.
Stone cross in the village of Saconnex d'Arve-Dessus
Shortly after Saconnex, the Compesières Castle and church appear. In the 14th century the Knights of St. John established a commandery here.
The church ...
... and the castle up close.
The interior of the church is simple. I liked the wooden ceiling.
From Compesières a tarred road leads to Charrot.
Information and pilgrim stamp in Charrot
The last pilgrim stamp in Switzerland
Charrot is a district of Bardonnex
To the left we see the 1300 m high French ridge of the Grand Salève.
Just before the border
The Swiss Way of St James ends here at the Arande border brook.
A small sign says "Goodbye" to the pilgrims.
To Santiago it is still 1865 km (1159 miles)
From Constance to the French border we crossed Switzerland. Here we (Kurt, Gerhard and Peter) are in France.
After the border we crossed a very busy road and walked about 10 m to these signs.
You can enlarge the signs - on the big screen - by clicking on them!
There are only 1854 km to Santiago ... a border miracle - 11 km have disappeared!
(Note 2016: I was informed in June 2016 that the French km figure is no longer available.)
The Way of St James continues as GR 65 to Neydens (first village after the border).
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