Via Francigena. Cycling on or near the official route Part 06. La Fère - Aizelles

Part 06.

From La Fère it is about a 35 km drive to Laon. Laon is located on a hill and the climb to it is tough.

A visit to the center is more than worth it. The Cathedral is a must see.

There are 2 pilgrim hostels. Both located on Rue de Cloitre. In one the price is donation and in the other it is around € 20,-.

After Laon you cycle towards Corbeny. In this place you can choose a hotel in the place itself or you can drive 3 kilometers to the campsite in Aizelles.

Have your picture taken with Napoleon there. The statue can be found on a hill near Aizelles.

District: , Somme, Aisne, Hauts de France

Landscape : hilly with sometimes steep slopes.

Campsites in: La Fère, Suzy, Laon, Aizelles. (see POIs and waypoints on the map)

Lodging in: La Fère, Cessieres, Molinchart, Laon, Martigny, Courpierre, Neuville sur Ailette, Corbeny (see POIs and waypoints on the map)

Pilgrim hostels in: Laon (2x) (see POIs and waypoints on the map or see: https://www.viefrancigene.org/fr/fiches-des-structures-daccueil/ )

Catering in: La Fère, Saint Nicolas au Bois, Suzy, Laon, Buyè et Mont Berault, Corbeny. (see POIs and waypoints on the map).

Groceries in: La Fère, Cessieres, Laon, Bruyère et Montberault.

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 to the pilgrim's 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), that 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.178034.html Note: You will miss the added sights of Routeyou.