On 16 May 2025, the spring General Assembly of the European Association of the Via Francigena ways (EAVF) took place in Troyes, the capital of the Aube department in the Grand Est region.
Located about 40 km from the French route of the Via Francigena, the city welcomed over one hundred representatives from England, Switzerland, Italy, and France, gathered to discuss the future of this European cultural route. Following the group photo and the national anthems of the four countries crossed by the route, the assembly officially opened with the entry of new members into the EAVF network: the Swiss municipalities of Ballaigues and Sainte-Croix (Vaud), along with the Italian towns of Poggibonsi (Tuscany), Monterosi (Lazio), Santa Cesarea Terme, and the Torre Guaceto Nature Reserve (Apulia). With these new additions, the EAVF network now includes 250 members across Europe, confirming a shared commitment to an increasingly international path.
One of the highlights was the signing of an agreement between the EAVF and the Fédération Française de la Randonnée Pédestre – the organisation that promotes and manages France’s trail network and is responsible for the GR145 Via Francigena. This was marked by a handshake between President Francesco Ferrari and President Frédéric Montoya.
This was followed by the signing of a cooperation agreement with the Templar Route, a cultural itinerary currently under consideration for recognition by the Council of Europe. Participants had the opportunity to discover this historic route during a guided tour, with a key stop at the majestic Troyes Cathedral, where the Templar Rule was drafted in 1129.
Two key points were central to the assembly:
- The financial report: the 2024 final accounts and the 2025 budget forecast were approved.
- The election of association bodies: Francesco Ferrari was unanimously re-elected as President, confirming continuity with the work carried out since 2001. The newly appointed Vice-Presidents are: Francesco Gazzetti (Deputy), Gaëtan Tornay (Second Deputy), Bill Hicks, Natacha Bouchart, Valery Denis, Luigi Laterza, Civita di Russo, and Aldo Patruno. Sergio Luigi Ricca was appointed Treasurer.
The Presidential Office was also renewed for the 2025–2028 period, comprising 16 municipalities, 6 provinces/agglomerations, and five associations.
During the assembly, current projects were extensively presented, starting with Detour, a European initiative aimed at supporting SMEs and services linked to the Via Francigena.
Updates were also shared on ongoing projects along the following sections:
- English (between London and Dover),
- French (municipalities of Wisques and Champlitte),
- Swiss (events and activities for 2025),
- Italian (municipalities of Piacenza, Colle Val d’Elsa, Rome, Apulia Region and Lazio Region).
The Assembly concluded with a well-received food and wine tasting, part of the Sosta&Gusta (Stop&Taste) project, featuring Parmigiano Reggiano, the Tuscan Ham Consortium, Antoine Ney Brewery, and the Barfontarc winery.
The event was preceded by a guided tour of the “Cité du Vitrail” and the city of Troyes, and concluded the following day with a guided tour of the city of Bar-sur-Aube and a walk along the Via Francigena, ending in Baroville, where participants had the opportunity to taste champagne from the Barfontarc winery. These three wonderful days were supported by the Department of Aube and the municipality of Bar-sur-Aube.
