The Via Francigena In Switzerland

From Pontarlier to St-Croix

The last leg of the route, ascending to pass the Jura Mountains starts at Pontarlier.

VFS02 - Historical path - From Jougne to Orbe

After having crossed the hill of Jougne, frequented since ancient times, the Via Francigena passes by the Chapel of St. Maurice, founded by the canons of the Abbey of St. Maurice in Valais.

VFS02 - Stage St-Croix-Yverdon

The ViaFrancigena reaches Swiss soil at La Grand’Borne near L’Auberson, leads over high plains to Sainte-Croix and down to Vuiteboeuf, with beautiful views of the Swiss Mittelland.

VFS03 - Stage Yverdon-Orbe

From Yverdon, the route follows the River Orbe, sometimes high up as in Chamblon, sometimes alongside the river. Then via Boscéaz with its impressive Roman mosaics to the village of Orbe.

VFS04 - Stage Orbe-Cossonay

Exiting the Orbe leg (55. Urba), the trail moves towards Romainmôtier, passing through Bretonnières with its picturesque Roman church.

VFS05 - Stage Cossonay-Lausanne

The Via Francigena follows the course of the Venoge from Cossonay to the banks of Lake Geneva. The river represents the main theme of this leg, between mountains and valleys,

VFS06 - Stage Lausanne-Vevey

This leg runs partially along the Lemano lake and partially crosses vineyards of "Lavaux". They are included in the World heritage UNESCO regarding production of wine

The route skirts around Lake Geneva, crossing Montreux and proceeding until Villeneuve. Leaving the lake behind, the course continues levelly till it arrives at the entrance of Aigle. It then rises to pass Yvorne and a lovely panoramic point of the Rhône Valley, before descending to Aigle.

VFS08 - Stage Aigle-St-Maurice

On leaving Aigle, the route passes vineyards as it shortly arrives at the castle, constructed in the 13^th Century. Proceeding through vineyards and woods along the coast, the path reaches Ollon.

VFS09 - Stage St-Maurice–Martigny

Just after Saint-Maurice you reach Vérolliez, where a tiny chapel commemorates the martyrdom of St Mauritius and his companions. On the path into the Rhonetal, you meet the famous Pissevache waterfall and the 200-metre-deep Trient gorge. For more information: info@martigny.com

VFS10 - Stage Martigny–Orsières

Difference in height: + 950 m This stage marks the end of the climb to the Grossen Sankt Bernhard-Pass. From Martigny a sometimes steep path leads over the narrow Les Trappistes pass to the medieval village of Sembrancher.

VFS11 - Stage Orsières–Bourg-St-Pierre

Difference in height: + 1000 m This stage leads first along a forest path, first west then east of the river, on the historic path from Liddes (shops) to the small Notre-Dame-de-Lorette Chapel before Bourg-Saint-Pierre (new small shop, hotels and dormitories)

VFS12 - Stage Bourg-St-Pierre–Col du Gd St-Bernard

Difference in heigt: + 1100 m Undoubtedly the most symbolic stage on the ViaFrancigena! The way to the pass leads along a road which has served the whole of Europe for 2000 years.