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:
You’ll notice a (perhaps welcome) paucity of photos below. This was a day defined more by adverse weather than pleasure. It rained for the full 29-kilometres walked and, although it was a relatively light mist in most cases, it was driven by heavy winds accompanied by single digit temperatures. By the end of our walk, we were wearing every warm piece of clothing we had in our light packs. Arriving at our night’s lodging at Au Pied du Cognelot bed and breakfast, our hosts were either amused or shocked by the two thoroughly soggy rats dripping water on their hardwood floor. However, after some assistance drying our clothes and a welcome warm shower, they ushered us to the nearest restaurant, about 23 walking minutes away, for a much needed dinner in cozy stone dining room. Be sure to listen to our conversation at the restaurant for a full review of our trying day and rewarding dinner.
Walk Date: Oct 1, 2022
Distance: 29.0 km
Elevation Gain: 373 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.
Thanks for sharing your long, cold, wet day with us. The damp, cold challenges were well described, and the photos evoked a wet chill.
So good that your host provided transportation to and from the restaurant. It was a pleasure to join you for a delicious evening meal.
I appreciated the food-based geography lesson, explaining your present location.
Bon voyage 🚶
Thanks Rob. It might rain but there is always a good meal at the end of the day!
Sounds like a tough day of walking but your meal and the rose should warm you.. All the food sounds and looks wonderful. One photo looks like there is a bowl of whipped cream or trifle. What is that? Hope your day tomorrow is not as soggy.
Thanks. It was tough day weather-wise but we still manage to have fun. The bowl is a sundae with strawberries, three kinds of ice cream, whipped cream and chantilly cream. The French are very big on exotic sundaes. One, called the Colonel, is citron ice cream with vodka. Very good but don’t plan on driving!