Via Francigena. Cycling on or near the official route. Part 08. Val de Vesle - Chalons en Champagne

Part 08

This route is deliberately kept relatively short.

They are now almost half way through the total route in France.

Time to give the muscles some rest and to air and wash the pack well.

From the campsite in Val de Vesle, the tour first goes to Vezernay where you have a beautiful view over the vineyards at the lighthouse, yes, you read that right.

This is a tough climb.

Those who prefer to arrive faster in Chalons en Champagne drive directly to Verzy. The loop to Verzenay is approximately 7 kilometers.

The rest of the tour goes partly along the canals de l'Aisne à la Marne and the canal lateral de la Marne.

There are 2 side branches to three pilgrim hostels. 1x in Trepail and 1x in Chalons en Champagne. For the youth hostel and the other places to stay (see the map.)

A professional washing and drying machine is available at the campsite in Chalons en Champagne.

District: , Grand Est, Marne

Landscape : hilly with sometimes steep slopes.

Campsites in: Val de Vesle, Chalons en Champagne. (see POIs and waypoints on the map)

Lodging inVaudemange, Villers Marmery, Chalons en Champagne (see POIs and waypoints on the map)

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

Hospitality in: Verzenay, Verzy, Chalons and Champagnezie: ( POIs and waypoints on the map).

Groceries in: Verzenay, Juvigny, Chalons and Champagne.

 

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, the gpx file with those waypoints can be downloaded see: https://www.gps-tour.info /nl/tracks/download.178075.html Note: You will miss the added sights of Routeyou.