THE SOURCE OF THE LOGOS
A sailing expedition — A philosophical quest — A sealed letter
AN ODYSSEY TOWARDS SAINT MICHAEL
For fifteen years, Les Compagnons du Sentier has worked steadily to share the culture, heritage and spiritual traditions surrounding Mont-Saint-Michel.
We have developed a route, brought a community together, created publications and built a coherent way of approaching this remarkable place through personal experience, history and symbolism.
The project presented here continues that work while opening a new horizon. Its aim is to carry the spirit of Le Sentier beyond Normandy, into a wider geography connecting it with places in the East associated with the same tradition.
A SACRED AND MYSTERIOUS LETTER
The Source of the Logos is a sailing mission linking Mont-Saint-Michel to the Greek island of Symi, home to one of the foremost sanctuaries dedicated to the Archangel Saint Michael: the monastery of Panormitis.
The mission aims to deliver a sealed letter from Bishop Cador, the bishop whose diocese includes Mont-Saint-Michel, to Bartholomew I, Patriarch of Constantinople.
The expedition also offers an opportunity to approach two other important places in the Johannine tradition:
− Ephesus, where, according to tradition, John accompanied Mary after the crucifixion of her son Jesus;
− Patmos, where John wrote the Book of Revelation.
These three places form a connected whole, centred on the Archangel and the figure of John. They naturally extend the historical and symbolic world to which the walk to Mont-Saint-Michel has belonged from the outset.
The purpose is not simply to reach Symi, but to illuminate a cultural and spiritual connection between West and East.
THE BOAT
For this mission, the association plans to use a 1980 Jeanneau Rush 9.55 m GTE sailing yacht. Well equipped, with a 14 hp Nanni engine and rigging renewed in 2022, she is ready for sea and already sails in Brittany. Fast, stiff under sail and lively, she is called Ancolie — a name evoking the eagle, an apt symbol for an encounter with the apostle John on Patmos.
THE SKIPPER
This first sailing mission will be led by Bertrand, who has accompanied walkers on Le Sentier since 2009. With 15,000 kilometres on foot behind him, he has also travelled widely, including in India and Gabon. An engineer, nurse and writer, he holds the BPPV professional sailing qualification.
THE ROUTE
A long voyage lies ahead:
100 days at sea and around 3,000 nautical miles under sail:
- Across the Bay of Biscay
- The Strait of Gibraltar
- The Balearic Islands
- Sardinia
- Sicily
- The Corinth Canal
HOW TO FOLLOW THE ODYSSEY
WOULD YOU LIKE TO WALK THROUGH BRITTANY?
From Mont-Saint-Michel to Locmiquélic
The original plan for Sunday 5 April 2026 was to leave Mont-Saint-Michel on foot for Locmiquélic, near Lorient in Morbihan, to join Ancolie, my 9.5-metre sailing boat, and set sail for the island of Symi.
Twelve walking days and 321 kilometres, with the invitation to join along the way through the free registration form below.
LES COMPAGNONS DU SENTIER French non-profit association (Law of 1901) Recognised as serving the public interest in France — FSCF affiliate Travel operator registration: IM061210001
Registered office: 3 rue du Colonel Lefèvre, 61700 Champsecret
Email: contact@lesentier.org
Phone: +33 6 33 39 02 20