Around 590
Initiatic itineraries
Originally from the south of Ireland (Mount Leinster), Saint Columban left Bangor Abbey at the age of 50 in the north of the country after 25 years of monastic life to retire as hermit at the foot of the Vosges mountains in Luxeuil in the east of France. France. Throughout Ireland, Great Britain and France, it's all about initiatory journeys and a change of scenery between his birthplace and this distant country where he will found his first abbeys.
590 Turas Columbanus, The Columban Way - Ireland
This route is traveled by the young Columbanus, who leaves his homeland in the south of Ireland to journey north towards Bangor and its great abbey of the time, where he remains for a third of his life.
It offers the opportunity to explore the heart of Ireland, alternating between mountains, rolling plains, lakes, and rivers, while soaking in Irish history through its rich heritage.
This path has two names depending on the language: "Turas Columbanus" in Gaelic and "The Columban Way" in English.
590 Columban way – Great Britain
Monk in old age, Saint Columban decides to leave his haven of peace and his native island to join the European continent.
This first part of his journey to the unknown is primarily insular along the Irish east coast and then in Britain. Opportunity to discover coastal towns and villages of various colors punctuating a wild coastline with different shapes each time.
590 Chemin de saint Colomban - France
This first part of his journey to the unknown is primarily insular along the Irish east coast and then in Britain. Opportunity to discover coastal towns and villages of various colors punctuating a wild coastline with different shapes each time.
This second part crosses France from West to East, offering a total diversity of landscapes, reliefs, historical and cultural heritage to Luxeuil where he successively founds three abbeys on the lands offered by the king.
This 1120km route is divided into three parts that can be traveled separately or successively. They can be accessed through the following links: