This is the remarkable story of Paul Williams’ solo 500 mile walk from Winchester, England, to St-Puy, a village in south west France close to the town of Condom, where he has lived for twenty five years.

A matronly femme fatale made a pass at him; one of his hosts stripped off to douse flea bites with vinegar; he dodged wild boar and was attacked by vicious Alsatians; he communed with a debt collector and a modern-day witch; an irate lorry driver forced him into the ditch; a man in a passing car aimed a gun at his head. To his surprise he rarely ate well and found the
bread virtually inedible. He was often told he wouldn’t make it,
but somehow he did.


Click here to email Paul Williams.

Press Feedback

‘The book is amusing and challenging, written with economy, precision and a gentle sense of humour which is often self-deprecating. Strongly recommended.’

FRENCH NEWS

‘Original…and unusual’

FRANCE Magazine

‘…his simple, effective and personal descriptions draw the reader in…his journey is told with honesty and humour’

THE CONNEXION

An article based on the book appeared recently (July 2008) in THE SPECTATOR. Click here to read it online

Readers’ comments

‘Unputdownable’;

‘very funny indeed’;

‘the next “cult” book about France’;

‘a must for anyone interested in France’;

‘many thanks…you opened new vistas’;

‘a well-written and thoughtful book as well as being beautifully illustrated’;

‘I read your book with huge pleasure. It is everything one wants and plenty that one does not expect’;

'I was much impressed with your delightful tales as a wandering vagabond';

'Your beautifully succinct prose gave great pleasure'.

(Updated: November 2008)