Paul, the lost pilgrim
Nom du Poï'z : Zéroïk
Cache theme : Medieval
Level : Difficulté 2
Terrain : Difficulté 2
Length : Horaire 1h­2h
Cache size : Taille 3
Distance : 2
Stroller accessible
In the year 1322, during the Hundred Years War, on their way to Santiago de Compostela,
Paul and Zéroïk got caught in a battle between the French and the English at the foot of
the ramparts. Paul’s head was seriously wounded and though he survived, he could no
longer remember which way to go. He died in La Souterraine after having wandered there
for a long time, and was buried in the town’s cemetery without having carried out his
mission… It is said that his soul still wanders through the town, looking for a sign that will
lead him in the right direction.
Find Paul the lost pilgrim’s cache and help him find the sign that will lead him to Santiago de
Compstela !
In the small medieval town of La Souterraine, Paul the lost pilgrim’s trail leads participants
into a maze of streets to discover particular places : symbolic monuments such as the porte
Saint­Jean or Puycharraud (gateways), picturesque buildings such as les “Bains Douches”
or “ la lanterne des morts (lantern of the deceased) … All these sites have a story to tell
including the one about the Santiago de Compostela pilgrims...
1. Departure spot : La Souterraine’s Tourist office, place de la Gare (N 46°14,384' / E 001°29,486')
2. La Chapelle du Couvent (N 46°14,258' / E 001°29,388')
histoire
The clue is at the top of the steps : the "Sauveur" (Savior) will show you which side to
look…
Write this number down. It is the equivalent of A . A =_____
« There’s a type of church along the street. It is the Sauveur convent chapel. Even
histoirethough they both have bell towers, the difference between a church and a convent is
that convents are inhabited. Not very long ago, it still was inhabited by a community
of nuns called "les sœurs du Sauveur", who had settled here in the 19th century to
care for the poor. »
The « Sauveur » (savior), is actually « Christ » who, in Christianism, was seated
at the table among the apostles. You can see a sculpture of Christ surrounded by
children above the convent’s entrance .
Go to the next spot (N 46°14,160’ / E 001°29,184’) and answer the riddle .
histoire
Which letter is written on the wall of the Bains­Douches ?
Write this digit down. It is the equivalent of C . C =_____
« Pilgrims used to stop over in La Souterraine because they knew they could rest and
histoirerepair their belongings there. One pilgrim even created bains­douches (a place to
wash up) for them ; we would give them directions by saying : you’ll find me beneath
the porch. »
3. La Porte Saint­Jean (gateway) (N 46°14,230' / E 001°29,192')
To find the keys to the St Jean gateway, please ask for them in the « bar du
Marché ».
medieval
What number can the prisoner see when he gets out of jail ?
Write this digit down. It is the equivalent of B . B =_____
Next, head to the watchtower. There is a hallway on ground level that used to
cross over to the other side of the gateway. On the 2nd floor, there is a room
that used to be the town’s prison : not an easy place to escape… On the 3rd
floor, there is a large type of platform where you could watch over the town.
4. La place de l'Eglise (the church square)
(N 46°14,242' / E 001°29,200')
medieval
How many birds would the cat like to capture ? … If only it could move.
Write this digit down. It is the equivalent of D . D =_____
5. La Porte du Puycharraud (gateway) (N 46°14,208' / E 001°29,000')
medieval
By the Puycharraud gateway is a remarkable and unique house, « la maison du Sénéchal ».
Find its number.
Write this digit down. It is the equivalent of E . E =_____
« "La maison du Sénéchal" was built after gutters were created. This means it is
medieval
located on the other side of the ramparts… Nowadays, the gutters have disappeared,
but if you look at the street names… »
6. La Place E. Parrain (N 46°14,312' / E 001°29,024')
medieval
Depending on the weather, this pointer shows time going by. But it also indicates the pole
behind which a number is hiding. Which number is it ?
Write this digit down. It is the equivalent of F . F =_____
7. The cache !
medieval
« You’re getting closer, your quest is almost over, but will you be able to find the
cache ? »
medieval
In order to find the cache’s exact coordinates, replace the letters in the coordinates below
by the numbers you found on your way and enter them into your GPS.
Cache coordinates : N (FX2)6° (A+C), 449 / E 001° (D)9, 04(B+E)'
medieval
Congratulations, you have found the cache !
See you soon for more Poî'z adventures !
ecolo
« Attention geocaching friends ! No need to lift rocks, pick walls apart, or uproot
plants ... the cache is most likely there, right before your eyes! Remember that your
quest must remain environmentally friendly ! Thank­you ! »
Médiéval
Contact :
OFFICE DE TOURISME DU PAYS SOSTRANIEN
Place de la Gare
23300 LA SOUTERRAINE
Tél : 05 55 63 10 06
Email : [email protected]