Camembert Francis de Santiago was born to a French mother, Belle Poulet, who encountered “the love of her life” during a free range vacation in northwest Spain. Although his mother took the name “de Santiago,” CF de S never met his father.
Camembert, or “Cam” as his friends called him, was a noble rooster – or coq (in French) – and enjoyed a distinguished academic career writing several books, including the well-known masterpiece El Gallo et Coq Galuois: Rooster Symbolism in Spain and France in the Middle Ages.
While he shunned politics in general, he briefly led the ill-fated campaign to free the caged chickens of Santo Domingo de la Calzada.
Toward the end of his life, he sought to explore his Spanish roots. In Saint Jean Pied de Port, France, on Monday, April 21, 2025, he began to travel the Camino with two human companions.
Finding sympathetic ears in these and many other pilgrims, he shared stories of his colorful, at times difficult, youth. Often following a long and arduous day’s journey on the Camino, Cam’s best stories were enhanced by a drink or two (or three…).
On the morning of his surprising death, he tumbled from a cafe chair, losing his head and his life. A coroner’s investigation, required due to allegations of nefarious misconduct, determined cause of death as accidental.
CF de S never married.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Belle Poulet, and is survived by his twin brother, Roquefort Leon de Santiago. CF de S is sorely missed by his Camino family, Lisa, Minke, Stephanie, Lisa #2, Jill, Maggie, and many others.
In lieu of flowers or donations, please consider walking a Camino in his name.
RIP, Camembert Francis de Santiago
(Written primarily by guest author Minke, with photos and a bit of input from Lisa.)
You absolute crazy women. I’ve laughed out loud reading this .
Take care xx
Cam would appreciate your laughter! 🤣😘
I never met him, but I can tell from his obituary that Cam was a noble, distinguished, and adventurous bird. My condolences to his friends and family. I am relieved that his death was found not to have involved fowl play.
Thank you. Minke and I were relieved we were absolved of any culpability.
What a fine looking rooster, possibly a Wyandotte. A breed known for loyalty and love of a fine beverage, Wyandottes will also fight with sharp talons to defend the flock. Perhaps you were unaware that Cam was defending you when he toppled over to his death? At least he didn’t suffer, which is more than I can say for the 15 or so chickens that have left this earth here at the Mullen homestead. Bears, dogs, foxes and raccoons are not kind to our feathered friends….
Cam was fortunate to have a flock like y’all!
Laura, a Wyandotte? Perhaps that’s what Cam was telling us just before he tumbled! Or was it “Why?” Or “I would like some DOTS?” Or…oh, it will always remain a mystery. Sadly, we were only beginning to speak rooster. Cam was an excellent educator and writer, leaving behind many books and manuscripts for us to peruse. Perhaps a clue to his heritage lies within his journals. However, without completing the full Camino to Santiago, the full answer may have died with him when he lost his head.
My condolences, too, to the many Mullen fowl who have lost their lives. My heart clucks for you!
Poor Cam. At least he had a good few days holiday at the end of his life, and no doubt a few alcoholic beverages before his fatefull tumble. I am glad there was no fowl play involved.
He can now look down on all the Camino walkers , proud in the knowledge that he has contributed to the laughter and merriment.
Carole, Cam’s amusing sense of humor helped us through some very tough days. Our opening walks of the Camino over the Pyrenees benefitted from Cam’s guidance and joy.
My condolences to his entire feathered family, flock of faithful fowl-ers, and adoring human friends that accompanied him on his spiritual journey. Unlike Marie Antoinette, who anticipated her demise by guillotine, I am confident he did not suffer his beheading, having been pre-marinated in a bath of liquid libations. Camembert Francis, your spirit flew the coop and is now flying free over the luscious green hills of earth.
Anke, yes, our one consolation is his BAC was high enough that we doubt he felt any pain!
Gone but never forgotten 😂
Madison, oh so true! So true!
Oh, the passing of CF de S!
The unremitting sadness; the moments of memory never shared with this magnificent traveler; the joys now lost forever with the shattering of such a magnificent soul (fowl). How shall we all move forward without the guidance, nay inspiration, we all received from CF de S; his trials, his conquests; his ‘alegría de vivir’…ever and always, an inspiration to us, the many travelers “sitting at home, wishing to be even close to him”.
The lineage; the history of his life and travels, the stories never shared (and NEVER talked about; oh that youth, oh the stories only hinted at in the darkened corners of unnamed bars along The Way…these are stories I would long to hear).
Together, each alone, we must raise a glass in honor of CF de S; magnificent rooster, loyal companion on the wander towards life, towards such honesty as we can each find in his honor.
Salud, magnificent CF de S!!
Oh, Michael, you so understand our pain and loss. Traveling without the companionship and guidance of our fowl leader has changed our entire Camino experience. For example, we now must rely on the newly annoying technology of an iPhone alarm to wake us up in the morning.
Oh my heart goes out to you, Lisa and Minke! It is never easy to lose a loved one. Take comfort that he was in the company of loved ones and sharing in laughter and libations at the end. I’m certain he’s enjoying green pastures and a wine fountain where the sun always shines and he can cock-a-doodle-do to his heart’s content. Big feathery hugs to you both!
Tammy, Minke and I thank Greg and you for supporting us when the authorities contacted you regarding Cam’s demise. Who would have known that when we sat next to each other at lunch in Ventosa that Cam would fall to his death? Thank you for helping to clear our names. Big hugs backatcha!
Relatable. We all lose our head sometimes…
That we do! 🤣😘