Via Francigena. Cycling on or near the official route. Part 12. Langres - Gray

Part 12.

This section goes from the Haute Marne district to the Haute Saone region.

The roads go up and down again.

You cycle along a lake, a railway, a canal, picturesque rivers and through nice small villages and towns.

With 80 kilometers it is quite hard. If you find Gray too far, you can also camp in Champlitte or one of the 6 pilgrim inns along the route.

The campsite in Gray has everything an outdoor enthusiast could wish for.

On the other side of the camping site is a restaurant and a swimming pool, which you can use as a camping guest. For a dip in the Saone, one also has to cross the road.

Gray itself has plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants.

Districts: , Haute Marne, Haute Saone, Bourgogne France Comté

Landscape : hilly with sometimes steep slopes.

Campsites in: Langres, Peigny, Champlitte, Gray (see POIs and waypoints on the map)

Lodging in: Langres. Peigny, Culomont, Chalindrey, Grandchamp, Champlitte, Chargey Lès Gray, Gray(see POIs and waypoints on the map)

Pilgrim hostels in: Langres, Culmont, Leffond (3x), Champlitte, Dampierre sur Salon. (see POIs and waypoints on the map or see: https://www.viefrancigene.org/fr/fiches-des-structures-daccueil/ )

Hospitality in: Langres. Peigny, Champlitte, Oyrieres, Arc les Gray, Gray. ( see POIs and waypoints on the map).

Foodstuffs in: Langres, Culmont, Chalindrey, Champlitte, Gray

General.

In the Middle Ages, the via Francigena (old Frankenweg) connected Northern Europe with Rome.

The monk Sigeric of Canterbury Abbey made this pilgrimage to Rome along the Via Francigena to receive his pallium (a band with 6 black crosses worn around the neck) in the holy city in 990. Source: Wikipedia\en

The records of this trip still exist.

“The pilgrimage is one of the cultural routes created in 1987 by the Council of Europe. These routes, of which the route to Santiago de Compostela is the best known, show through a journey through space and time how the heritage of the different countries and cultures of Europe contributes to a shared and living cultural heritage.” (Source: European Council.)

The via Francigena is a hiking trail. This variant for cyclists goes on or near the official pilgrimage road, which in France is referred to as Grande Randonnée (GR)145.

With the exception of a few cycle paths, the tours are mainly on quiet country roads and through as many villages and towns as possible through which the GR 145 also runs.

For each section of the route, the most important points of interest are listed as points of interest (POI) or as waypoints.

To make the road accessible to everyone, each part of the route starts and ends at a campsite. All pilgrims' hostels (Acceuils pèlerins) are included for people who want to travel a bit more luxuriously. They are recommended by the Via Francigena organization.

Cyclists who prefer even more comfort will also find B&Bs, Chambres d'hôtes and hotels here.

The distances of each individual track vary. Because the routes connect to each other, you can make them as long or as short as you want.

Tip: Always make sure you have a full battery or take a power pack with you. E-bikers can usually connect their GPS device or telephone to the bicycle battery.

The via francigena requires a good physical condition and one has to be able to take a beating mentally.

Credential or stamp card.

As proof that you have walked, cycled or traveled the route on horseback, you can have a stamp or signature put in various places along the way. This card also serves as a ticket for the pilgrims' hostels (Acceuils pèlerins). You can then spend the night there for a reasonable fee (maximum € 20 in 2021).

Upon completion of the journey, this card is exchanged in Rome for a certificate (Testimonium).

You can request the card via this link: https://www.viefrancigene.org/en/pilgrims-credential/

Directional changes.

For those with a GPS device or a good application on the phone (for example Oruxsmaps GP or Locus), which give a signal when direction changes are made, the gpx file with those waypoints can be downloaded https://www.gps-tour.info/nl /tracks/download.178121.html Note: You will miss the added sights of Routeyou.