Simon joins pilgrims across continental Europe. In France he experiences solitude – as so few walk the Via Franca, and those that do tend to make an inner journey as well. But once he reaches the beginning of the St James Way to Santiago de Compostela here he will get a sense of what it was like at the height of its popularity in the 15th century – a communal, often deeply spiritual experience. And in Rome he will feel the force of the Catholic Church as it inspires piety, respect and devotion still to this day.