Montrouge: Shell Festival – April 25 & 26
Thursday, April 25
The Fête de la Coquille in Montrouge kicked off with a round-table discussion on the theme: Around the Pilgrim’s Way to Santiago de Compostela.
The meeting was attended by :
- Etienne Langereau, Mayor ;
- Colette Aubry, Deputy Mayor in charge of Culture and Heritage,
- Jacques-Philippe Michel, Head of Events,
- Father Marc Ketterer, parish priest of Montrouge.
The meeting was held at the Médiathèque de Montrouge.
After a brief introduction and a few words from the Mayor, the evening’s host François Bourdeaux gave the floor to the speakers:
- Patrice Jacques Bernard shed some light on the “Société Française des Amis de Saint Jacques de Compostelle” (SFASJC),
- Monique Jacob, General Secretary, shared her experience of the Chemin,
- Jean François Fejoz, a member of the “Compostelle 2000” association, which has set up signposting and shells in Montrouge,
- Daniel Duchêne, who has covered more than 25,000 kms on foot, and Jade Mroueh, who does part of the Camino every year with a sketchbook in her pocket.
A packed room listened with great interest to the various presentations, and asked questions at the end of the session.
The warm evening ended with a friendly drink in a café near the hall.
Friday, April 26th
La marche jacquaire, initiated by Father Marc Ketterer, parish priest of the Sainte Joséphine Bakhita parish in Montrouge
(comprising 3 churches, including Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur).
The meeting point was the church of St Jacques du Haut Pas, to kick off a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, with this symbolic stage linking St Jacques du Haut Pas to St Jacques de Montrouge, represented as a teacher.
A group of around a hundred people set off after a time of prayer led by François Bourdeaux, a committed Montrougian and member of the SFASJC.
Arriving at the church of Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur, the apostle was celebrated with beautifully sung vespers accompanied by organ music. Father Marc Ketterer launched the
rendez-vous on March 20, 2025.
This was followed by the official laying of the Jacobean nail by Mr. Étienne Lengereau, the town’s Mayor, surrounded by numerous local councillors.
The evening continued in fine weather with music and scallop tastings !
the Mayor of Montrouge
Well done to the organizers of this magnificent event.