Via Francigena. Cycling on or near the official route. Part 09. Chalons en Champagne - Outines

Part 09

This route goes for 40% along the Canal lateral à la Marne.

One then cycles again on the Chemin de Harlage with all the consequences that entails.

The road surface of the towpath changes from asphalt and concrete, to gravel and sand. The latter is sometimes no more than a hollow track. Watch out for the lawns.

Not the best cycle path in France, but almost flat.

Those who prefer to go by road have to count on steep slopes and the landscape is hardly worth the effort.

Vitry le Francois is a nice town. You can have a great lunch in the indicated restaurants.

The campsite and B&B of "La Ferme du Mont Moret" in Courdemanges are difficult to reach. Ask for directions in the village or find the dirt road called “Le Therme Chapron” and follow it.

The rest of the route goes through an area where tourism is still in its infancy. It is not for nothing that the name of a Chambres de Hotes is “Au Milieu de 0 part”, which means as much as in the middle of nowhere.

A branch has been included to the pilgrims' hostel in Saint Remy and Bouzemont.

The campsite “le Clos du vieux Moulin” is located in Chatillon sur Broué near Outines. It is within walking distance of Lac du Der - Chantecoq, where you can cool off.

Attention: Before you start part 10, it is advisable to book one of the beds in the pilgrim hostels of Unienville or Bar sur Aube now. Part 10 ends in Bar sur Aube as there is no camping nearby.

Accueil pèlerin Bar sur Aube - 4 bis rue Saint-Pierre - +33 3 25 27 06 34 - http://jmfsainton@yahoo.fr

Acceuil pèlerin 6 rue Saint-Antoine 10140 Unienville FRA

Email:http://mairie-unienville@wanadoo.fr

Phone: +33 3 25 92 71 39

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District: , Grand Est, Marne

Landscape : First close to the canal, then hilly with sometimes steep slopes.

Campsites in: Chalons en Champagne, Courdemanges, Chatillon sur Broué (see POIs and waypoints on the map)

Lodging in: Chalons en Champagne, Saint Germain la Ville, La Chausée sur Marne, Vitry le Francois, Courdemanges, Chatelraould – Saint Louvent , Saint Remy en Bouzemont, Drosnay, Outines, (see POIs and waypoints on the map)

Pilgrim hostels in : Chalons en Champagne (2x), Saint Remy and Bouzemont.

(see POIs and waypoints on the map or see: https://www.viefrancigene.org/fr/fiches-des-structures-daccueil/ )

Catering in: Chalons en Champagne, Pogny, La Chausée sur Marne, Couvrot, Vitry le Francois, Bacy, Camping Courdemanges, Chatelraould – Saint Louvin, Saint Remy en Bouzemont, Chatillon sur Broué (see POIs and waypoints on the map).

Groceries in: Chalons en Champagne. Pogny, Vitry le Francois, Chatillon sur Broue.

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.178082.html Note: You will miss the added sights of Routeyou.