I love Francigena EN - Via Francigena

I love Francigena

The European Association of the Via Francigena Ways (EAVF) invites you to participate in “I love Francigena” events!

“I love Francigena” is an annual series of events, praising the cultural route of the Via Francigena and providing a unique opportunity to discover sections of the itinerary, its cultural and natural heritage and tasting local products. This traveling celebration brings together walking enthusiasts, tour operators and associations involved in the promotion and enhancement of the route.

Main goal of the initiative

Aiming to promote walking along the Via Francigena, the iniziative specifically focuses on:

Environmental education
Sustainable and slow tourism
Engagement of local communities and stakeholders
Route check
Promotion and visibility

How does it work?

A typical “I love Francigena” day will be an easy 10-20 km walk (depending on a section of the Via Francigena) mediated by a local guide who explains interesting facts about natural surroundings and history of the Francigena with a few sightseeing stops and a reception in the end of the hike. The hike is free of charge and a shuttle bus is organised from the final point.

The EAVF conducts “I love Francigena” since 2017, co-organising the event together with Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna regions in Italy and Bourgogne – Franche-Comté in France with kind support of local municipalities and associations.

Become a partner

If you are a walker / pilgrim interested in participating in the hike – subscribe to the EAVF newsletter, watch the news of the association on the official website and Facebook or Instagram and follow the hashtag #ILoveFrancigena. The registration will be made available between May and September each year.
If you are a local authority, region or a private stakeholder willing to co-organise / sponsor the event, please write an inquiry to the following email: segreteria@viefrancigene.org

Consult the archive of previous events and the video gallery

2020

I LOVE FRANCIGENA IN PARMA PROVINCE AND THE WORLD TOURISM DAY

“I love Francigena” contributed to the World Tourism Day 2020 “Tourism and rural communities”. Two walking events provided an opportunity to discover a route variant in Parma: from Fornovo di Taro (Parma) to Corte di Giarola and San Pancrazio (Parma) to Collecchio.

2019

I LOVE CAMMINI ALONG THE VIA FRANCIGENA, TWO DATES OF SLOW WALKING IN EMILIA ROMAGNA

2019 edition of the “I love Francigena” was incorporated into the I LOVE CAMMINI framework – a project promoted by APT Services Emilia-Romagna Region in collaboration with the Bishops’ Conference of Emilia Romagna and the AIGAE association, aimed to experience historical paths of Emilia Romagna, from Piacenza to Rimini.

I LOVE FRANCIGENA IN FRANCE, FOUR EVENTS ON THE ROAD

On 18 May to 8 June 2019 for the first time I Love Francigena took place in France with organised walks between Champlitte and Bucey-lès-Gy (Haute-Saône). The four hikes have been supported by the department of Haute-Saone and the Fédération Française de Randonnée.

2018

I LOVE FRANCIGENA IN EMILIA-ROMAGNA

On the 8th and 15th of September 2018, the “I Love Francigena” group walked slowly along two legs of the route in the provinces of Parma and Piacenza: Fidenza – Medesano and Fiorenzuola d’Arda – Fidenza for an average of 22km. Between small stops and a landscape to photograph, the first day of “I love Francigena” ended in Medesano with the buffet and the welcome greeting from the community, represented by the deputy mayor, Michele Giovanelli.

AWAITING “I LOVE FRANCIGENA”: INSPECTIONS CONCLUDED

The European Association of the Via Francigena Ways (EAVF) and Fiorenzuola in Movimento have completed their inspections in the Piacenza and Parma areas of the Via Francigena. “We have verified the status of the route in Emilia Romagna – explains Sami Tawfik, EAVF project manager – These days were also an opportunity to meet with the tourist information offices and people of the territory dedicated to the development of the Via Francigena”.

2017

VIA FRANCIGENA IN LOMBARDY REGION

The European Association of the Via Francigena Ways (EAVF) and Itineraria organised the “I Love Francigena” project. On 10-11 June 2017 twenty pilgrims, led by the representatives of the two associations and armed with gloves and bags, walked along the European Cultural Route, becoming users and at the same time its protectors.

Watch the videos