Via Francigena. Cycling on or near the official route. Part 13. Gray - Besançon

Part 13.

After leaving Gray, you cycle a bit along the Saone and then rejoin the waves of the French countryside.

Peace and quiet are the tourist keywords here.

Silence is correct, but peace is not in the least, because there are again considerable climbs waiting.

We have to wait until Besançon before coming back to full life.

The route is quite long again, but on the way you can drop out and camp at the Geneuille campsite, which is about 3 kilometers from the route.

Warning: The pilgrims' hostel in the Franciscan monastery in Besançon is located on top of a mountain. The road to it is killer, so not a good idea after a hard day of cycling. The youth hostel in Besançon is an alternative.

The campsite is doable.

Districts: , Haute Saone, Bourgogne Franc h e Comté

Landscape : hilly with sometimes steep slopes.

Campsites in: Gray, Geneuille, Besançon (see POIs and waypoints on the map)

Lodging in: Gray, Rigny, Beaujeu, Cussey sur l'ognon, Ecole Valentin, Besançon (see POIs and waypoints on the map)

Pilgrim hostels in: Dampierre sur Salon, Bucey lès Gy, Besançon (see POIs and waypoints on the map or see: https://www.viefrancigene.org/fr/fiches-des-structures-daccueil/ )

Catering in: Gray, Bucey lè Gy, Rigny, Cussey sur l'Ognon, Ecole Valentin, Besançon (see POIs and waypoints on the map).

Groceries in: GrayBucey lès Gy, Etuz, Cussey sur l'Ognon, Ecole Valentin, Besançon.

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 placed 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.178129.html Note: You will miss the added sights of Routeyou.