Via Francigena. Cycling on or near the official route Part 07. Aizelles - Val de Vesle

Part 07:

On to the Champagne!

After about 35 kilometers the first vineyards appear.

In several villages you can go to the winegrowers to inspect a glass (dégustation).

In any case, visit the center of Reims and the impressive cathedral.

This route has two side branches.

The first one goes left to the pilgrimage hostel of Saint Thierry and the second one goes right to the 2 pilgrim hostels in Cormontreuil.

In both cases, go straight ahead before the campsite in Val de Vesle.

Near the center of Reims, follow the “Coulée Vert” (green belt) along the Canal de l'Aisne à la Marne.

District: , Aisne, Champagne and Ardennes

Landscape : hilly with sometimes steep slopes.

Campsites in: Aizelles. Guignicourt, Val de Vesle (see POIs and waypoints on the map)

Lodging in: Corbeny, Loivre, Hermonville, Villers Franqueux, Merfy, Reims, Cormontreuil. (see POIs and waypoints on the map)

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

Hospitality in: Corbeny, Berry au Bac, Hermonville, Cormontreuil, Saint Leonard see: ( POIs and waypoints on the map).

Groceries in: Corbeny. Loivre, Reims, Cormontreuil

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.178050.html Note: You will miss the added sights of Routeyou.