This “Walking The Via Francigena” series of posts follow us, David and Gail, as we continue our walk along the Via Francigena pilgrimage route between Canterbury and Rome. In the fall of 2019, we completed the first leg from London to Canterbury, known as the Chaucer Way, and onward to the small town of Tergnier, France on the Via Francigena. A pandemic got in the way but now, in 2022, our trek is underway once again, this time taking us from Tergnier to Besançon over 23 walking days and 580 or so kilometres.
Notes from today’s walk:
Despite being a 27 km walk day, the time passed pleasantly and quickly, leaving us at our bed and breakfast destination in the late afternoon and time enough to shower and head out to Hermonville’s finest restaurant, Mets Envies, for our evening meal. I encourage you to listen our mid-meal conversation in the soundscape below. We talk food, champagne, vineyards and the Monument aux Chars d’Assault, commemorating the contribution of the French tank artillery corp during World War One and, in particular, during the 1915 Chemin des Dames offensive that occurred in the area.
Walk Date: Sep 12, 2022
Distance: 27.0 km
Elevation Gain: 425 m
Read on to view today’s photos, a soundscape captured along the route and an interactive map.

Click the images below to view a full-screen slideshow.





























Today’s route.
Overview map of the route from Tergnier to Besançon.
It’s interesting traveling along with you, David and Gail, not only through your excellent photos but also courtesy of your soundscape. Thank you for sharing your walk and your talk!
Thanks Sara. I’m happy you’re enjoying the soundscapes. It’s been something I’ve wanted to try for sometime but wasn’t sure how/if it would work.
Ah, so David finally got to eat something! Love the chit-chat – reminds me of my friends from England, chit-chatting over how much tea to put in the pot, so many couples that chit-chat (even argue) about nothing, part of couples life, talking of nothing except needing to talk, your daily “nothing” is on different subjects! Thank you!
Thanks Neal, more chats to come.
Love the soundscape feature and the map! I also like that it says the distance you covered that day and as usual stunning photos!
Thanks Karen. The pressure is on!