On 19 May 2025, the EAVF officially set up its new offices in Besançon, within the City, as part of a partnership agreement signed between the European Association of the Via Francigena ways and Greater Besançon Métropole.

Since 2016, the EAVF’s development office in France has been based in Champlitte (Haute-Saône), where the team has been able to lay the foundations for structuring the network on a national scale: today, thanks to this field work, 46 local authorities are members of the EAVF in France. A huge thank you to the municipality of Champlitte for its warm hospitality and loyal support over the years.

With this new address in Besançon, the EAVF is even closer to its local partners. The EAVF office will be working closely with the department and the tourism team of Grand Besançon Métropole, which kindly welcomed the EAVF team last week.

And that’s not all: to mark this arrival, the European network will be present at the Grandes Heures Nature festival (13-15 June), a not-to-be-missed event for lovers of the outdoors and itinerancy, which in 2024 saw the participation of over 20,000 visitors. The Association will be holding an information stand, so don’t hesitate to come and meet us, ask your questions or just chat about the route!

Last but not least, the team is also moving on: Emmanuel Duriez is joining the EAVF as project manager for France, replacing Jacques Chevin, whom we would like to thank most sincerely for his committed work and his contagious passion for the Via Francigena.

With this new position, the EAVF is confirming its territorial roots and its desire to make the Via Francigena a veritable backbone of slow, responsible tourism in France and Europe. We’re continuing to make progress on the route, with you and for you!