Via Francigena. Cycling on or near the official route Part 02 Tournehem-sur-la-Hem - Lillers

The average cyclist takes 5 to 7 hours on this route.

If the weather is bad or the fatigue from the previous trip still bothers you, there are plenty of places to rest along the way.

There are 6 pilgrim inns (acceuils pèlerins) included where you could spend the night.

The acceuil in Burbure is highly recommended.

Don't camp for once. The way there and back to and from the campsite in Lillers is just under 8 kilometers. That can be saved.

District : Hauts de France

Landscape : hilly with sometimes steep slopes.

Campsites in: Tournehem sur la Hem, Rebecques, Lillers (see POIs and waypoints on the map)

Lodging in: Tournehem sur La Hem, Auchy au Bois, Lillers (see POIs and waypoints on the map)

Pilgrim hostels in: Wisques, Thérouanne, Lietres, Auchy au Bois, Amettes, Burbure, (see POIs and waypoints on the map or see: https://www.viefrancigene.org/fr/fiches-des-structures-daccueil/ )

Catering in: Tournehem sur la Hem, Zudausques, Esquerdes, Thérouanne, Auchy au Bois, Amettes, Burbure, Lillers. (see POIs and waypoints on the map).

Groceries in:, Tournehem sur la hem, Estree Blacnche, Ligny les Aires, Auchy au Bois, Amettes, Ferfay, Auchel, Burbure, Lillers

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.

On a few bike 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 at

https://www.gps-tour.info/nl/tracks/download.177909.html

Note: You will miss the added sights of Routeyou.