The Chemin de St. Jacques was just what we needed.
It's a fairly simple walk that allows you to enjoy the comforts of French countryside living with the physicality of a good walk through the rolling hills and farms. We only got really lost once, walking 9 miles on a different route that had identical markings, but we were able to backtrack and bus to our planned destination - a luxury that was not afforded on the PCT.
We met the kind of people we often get along with best: the 45+ crowd. Though most were probably well over 50. Call us old souls, but we do love hanging with people who have done some serious living.
We had the opportunity to stay in 1000 year old homes overlooking rolling green hills and gardens, we dined with boisterous folks who insisted on singing french karaoke at the dinner table and keeping the wine flowing, we picnicked and napped and read and debated and, of course, walked to our heart's content. And it was glorious.