Expelled from Luxeuil with the Irish and Breton monks, Saint Columban and his family were taken to Nantes under the guard of armed soldiers charged to embark them on a ship for Ireland. But, just on board, they will manage to escape and, therefore fearing to be caught, begins for them an incredible journey through many countries.

Most of the path of exile takes place in France from East to West and vice versa after Nantes. The route follows mainly the large rivers and vineyards planted often on their banks while crossing the historic cities that punctuate them.

After France, Saint Columban goes to Germany going north by the Moselle to Koblenz. Then, he sailed on the Rhine towards the South, crossing Switzerland to Bregenz in Austria where he founded a fourth abbey. His disciple Saint Gall remained on the spot will be at the origin of the big Swiss city which bears his name today.

The route of exile continues along the rivers or lakes with the possibility of sailing and gradually returning to the mountains while following green valleys before crossing the Alps easily through the Septimer Pass.

Fearing to be overtaken by Queen Brunehaut, whose kingdom suddenly came closer after a victorious battle, Saint Columban crosses the Alps and stops a time in Milan where he advises the king of the Lombards, who gives him a land to found his last abbey in Bobbio in northern Italy, where he died at 72 in 615.

This descent of the Alps runs along Lake Como then crosses the plain of Po before reaching the Appenines, from where a course with very different landscapes and particularly rich heritage in small villages as in the most important cities.