Via Francigena

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De Liddes à Bourg-Saint-Pierre. Une randonnée au pied du Grand-Saint-Bernard

Le “Samedi de Quasimodo” est désormais devenu une tradition dans le canton du Valais, ainsi que dans sa voisine la vallée d’Aoste. Journée dédiée à la Francigena, tenue le 22 Avril.

Chaque année, le premier samedi suivant les festivités pascales est consacré à la vérification du parcours valaisan de la Via Francigena; un contrôle qui se déroule à l’occasion d’une marche sur un tronçon de ce territoire soumis à certains endroits aux rudes conditions de la montagne.

Le cheminement de l’archevêque Sigéric se présente comme un fil rouge entre communautés et entre nations: l’italienne vallée d’Aoste et le canton suisse du Valais, rapprochés par cet itinéraire historique, qui collaborent tous deux à l’excellent entretien du parcours.

Le 22 avril le groupe de l’Amicale des Compagnons de la Via Francigena Valais – Vallée d’Aostea organisé l’événement, sous la conduite du président Bernard Delasoie. Comme chaque année, l’Association européenne de la Via Francigena a participé à cette journée: le président Massimo Tedeschi, à l’arrivée à Bourg-Saint-Pierre au terme de la marche, a salué et remercié les participants pour l’esprit de cette initiative.

Le tracé parcouru est entièrement situé dans le canton du Valais, sur le versant nord des Alpes. Le long du parcours, on jouit de la vue sur d’impressionnants panoramas: cimes enneigées encadrées par les pentes escarpées qui forment les vallées suisses, avec forêt, clairières et chalets qui se succèdent durant toute la journée. La nature règne en maître en ces lieux et rend le chemin plaisant et moins pénible. On peut même apercevoir à flanc de coteaux des daims qui regardent tranquillement passer les pèlerins.

L’événement a encore une fois rencontré un grand succès et joue un rôle de moteur pour réunir les communautés traversées par le parcours. Outre les nombreux amis dont le nombre a augmenté au fil de ans, les personnes suivantes ont également participé à la marche: Willy Fellay, ancien président et membre d’honneur de Valrando; Daniel Maret, Sous-Préfet du District d’Entremont; Stève Lattion, Président de Liddes; Gilbert Tornare, Président de Bourg-Saint-Pierre; le Chanoine Joseph Voutaz, curé d’Orsières et la valdôtaine Palmira Orsieres, amie de la Via Francigena; ainsi que les membres de l’équipe de l’AEVF, Christian Schülé et Luca Faravelli.

Une nouvelle rencontre est prévue le 2 septembre au col du Grand-Saint-Bernard pour fêter le 20e anniversaire de l’Amicale des compagnons de la Via Francigena. Ce sera l’occasion de réunir à nouveau les autorités suisses et italiennes, qui s’engagent pour entretenir et améliorer cet Itinéraire culturel du Conseil de l’Europe.

Regardez le vidéo sur Vimeo.

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From Liddes to Bourg-Saint-Pierre. On the Via Francigena at the foot of the Great St. Bernard

The ‘Samedi de Quasimodo’ or in other words, the Saturday of Quasimodo, has by now become celebrated in the Canton of Valais and likewise in the Aosta Valley, despite being beyond the Alps. It is a day dedicated to the Via Francigena which takes place on the 22nd April.
Every year this day of ‘Samedi’, or rather the first Saturday after Easter, is dedicated to reviewing the Via Francigena, a check that is conducted along a brief segment of the walk, a part that by foot is an arduous and geographically demanding passage. Sigeric’s Via Francigena is still seen as a common thread between European communities and countries: the Italian Aosta Valley and Swiss Canton of Valais, united by the historical itinerary, collaborate to conserve the route as best as possible.

On the 22 nd April the group ‘Amicale des Compagnons de la Via Francigena Valais – Vallée d’Aoste’ organised the event, guided by the President, Bernard Delasoie. The European Association of the Vie Francigene participated in the initiative, as it does every year and at the end of the trek at Bourg-Saint- Pierre, the President of the association, Massimo Tedeschi, greeted and thanked the participants for their spirit towards this initiative.

 

The traced route took place entirely in the Canton of Valais, its course extending to the slopes of the Alps. Along the route one may enjoy striking panoramas: snow-clad peaks, framed by steep slopes and chalets that follow one after the other throughout the trek. Nature dominates the surroundings and renders the route pleasant and less demanding to complete, in fact one may even spot some deer that calmly watch the pilgrims, who proceed along the Valley.

Once again the event was extremely successful and revealed itself to be a valuable occasion to unite the communities through which the route passes. As well as the many Friends who, throughout the years have only increased in number, the company was joined by: Willy Fellay, the former President of the association and now honorary member; Daniel Maret, the Sub-Prefect of the Entremont district; Stève Lattion, the President of Liddes; Gilbert Tornare, the President of Bourg-Saint- Pierre; Joseph Voutaz, parish priest of Orsières and the valdostana; Palmira Orsieres, Friend of the Via Francigena, as well as the AEVF members of staff, Christian Schüelé and Luca Faravelli.

The next meeting is scheduled for the 2 nd September at the Great St. Bernard Pass in order to celebrate the 20 th Anniversary of the Association of the ‘Amicale des Compagnons de la Via Francigena’. It will therefore be fitting to once again unite the Italian and Swiss authorities who are working hard to improve and conserve this Cultural Itinerary of the Council of Europe.

Luca Faravelli

Watch the video on vimeo.

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news-import

Da Liddes a Bourg-Saint-Pierre. Sulla Via Francigena ai piedi del Gran San Bernardo

Il “Samedi de Quasimodo” è diventato ormai celebre nel Canton Vallese e allo stesso modo nella vicina, anche se d’oltralpe, Valle d’Aosta. Una giornata dedicata alla Via Francigena, svoltasi il 22 aprile.

Ogni anno il giorno di “Samedi”, ovvero il primo sabato dopo le festività pasquali, viene dedicato alla verifica del percorso alpino della Via Francigena; un controllo che si svolge in occasione della camminata lungo un breve tratto in questo territorio impervio e topograficamente arduo da affrontare a piedi.

La Via Francigena di Sigerico si dimostra ancora una volta fil rouge tra comunità e tra Peesi europe: l’italiana Valle d’Aosta e lo svizzero Canton Vallese, i quali, accomunati dall’itinerario storico, collaborano per l’ottimale mantenimento del percorso.

Il 22 aprile il gruppo “Amicale des Compagnons de la Via Francigena Valais – Vallée d’Aoste” ha organizzato l’evento, guidato dal Presidente Bernard Delasoie. All’iniziativa ha partecipato, come ogni anno, l’Associazione Europea delle Vie Francigene: il Presidente Massimo Tedeschi alla fine della camminata prevista a Bourg-Saint-Pierre ha salutato e ringraziato i partecipanti per lo spirito di questa iniziativa.

Il tracciato percorso si è svolto interamente nel Canton Vallese sviluppandosi alle pendici delle Alpi. Lungo il percorso si gode della vista di panorami impressionanti: cime innevate incorniciate dai pendii scoscesi che formano le valli svizzere, con boschi, radure e chalet che si susseguono allo sguardo durante tutta la marcia. La natura è padrona di questi luoghi e rende il cammino piacevole da compiere e meno faticoso, infatti vengono avvistati alcuni cervi che osservano tranquilli i pellegrini, i quali, in ordinata colonna, procedono lungo la valle.

L’evento ancora una volta ha avuto grande successo e si è rivelato un importante volano per unire le comunità attraversate dal percorso. Alla camminata si sono uniti, oltre ai tanti Amici che negli anni sono cresciuti numerosi, Willy Fellay, Presidente precedente dell’Associazione ed ora Membro Onorario, Daniel Maret, Sotto Prefetto del Distretto di Entremont, Stève Lattion, Presidente di Liddes, Gilbert Tornare, Presidente di Bourg-Saint-Pierre, Joseph Voutaz, parroco di Orsières e la valdostana Palmira Orsieres, Amica della Via Francigena, insieme ai membri dello staff AEVF, Christian Schüelé e Luca Faravelli.

Il nuovo incontro è in programma il 2 settembre, al Col del San Gran Bernardo per festeggiare il 20° anniversario dell’Assoziazione dell“Amicale des Compagnons de la Via Francigena”. Sarà quindi occasione per riunire nuovamente le autorità italiane e svizzere che si stanno impegnando per migliorare e mantenere in auge questo Itinerario Culturale del Consiglio d’Europa.

Luca Faravelli

Guardate il video su vimeo.

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Aller simple. Un pas après l’autre.

J’ai marché durant 4 jours le long de la Via Francigena, sur le tronçon qui va de Bolsena à Capranica (province de Viterbo). J’étais en compagnie de 18 autres personnes. Des anciennes et nouvelles connaissances, unies par la volonté de partager un point de départ, un trajet et un point d’arrivée.

Un pas à la fois. Autant que la chaleur, la fatigue, la sueur et les ampoules le permettent. On est beaucoup ensemble en marchant. Et on est aussi très seul. Ce qui permet au temps et à l’espace de reprendre sa respiration. De se dilater, de se resserrer. Pour devenir quelque chose de différent du temps et de l’espace classiques. Pendant que l’on avance simplement, sur une ligne plus ou moins droite, les pensées suivent, de manières indépendantes, des routes alternatives, en se croisant à leur gré et dans toutes les directions avec les pensées, les sentiments et les émotions des autres, pour tisser une nouvelle trame imprévisible. Même indéchiffrable parfois. Une carte plutôt dense de sensations, d’anecdotes, d’expériences, de paroles et de silences, qui n’existent nulle part ailleurs, sinon là, en ce moment. De demi-heure en demi-heure. D’étape en étape. D’arrêt en arrêt. Dans le chemin, c’est plus simple à faire qu’à essayer de l’expliquer.

Le « rythme » du chemin semble ne rien avoir en commun avec celui du monde réel. Les informations, les messages, les appels téléphoniques, les notifications semblent presque détonner avec le rythme des pas. Ils s’entrecroisent difficilement avec la fraicheur surprenante offerte par l’ombre d’un arbre. Ils ne surprennent pas plus de ce que pourrait surprendre une soudaine rafale de vent. Ou une petite douleur au dos. Tout ce qui est inévitable semble devenir presque superflu et léger. D’une certaine manière, presque davantage supportable. Même s’il y a le concours pour établir qui lancera la bombe la plus grosse ; qui se joue de la démocratie pour la transformer le plus possible en dictature ; qui continue à fuir de l’habituelle guerre pour accoster dans l’habituelle indifférence. Qui promet de revenir et peut-être le fera. Ou qui au contraire s’en va pour toujours et ne reviendra plus jamais. Tout semble aller quand même de l’avant et s’écouler comme si c’était un peu plus simple de ce que ça l’est réellement. Le long de tout l’espace et pour tout le temps qu’il sert. Dans chaque pensée possible. Un pas après l’autre.

Filippo d’Arino

Source : La Stampa

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ONE WAY. ONE STEP AFTER THE OTHER.

I walked for four days along the Via Francigena, in the segment from Bolsena to Capranica (in the area of Viterbo). I was together with 18 other people. Old and new acquaintances, united by the will to share a starting point, a journey and a destination.One step at a time. Hot, fatigue, sweat and blisters permitting. You stay together a lot, walking. And you stay alone a lot, too. Which allows the time, and the space, to breathe. To expand, to narrow. To then become something different from the usual time and the usual space. While you always go forward, on a more or less straight line, the thoughts follow their own courses, sometimes very alternative, intersecting as they wish and in every direction with the thoughts, expressions and emotions of others, in order to weave new and unpredictable plots. Sometimes, also incomprehensible. A map rather thick with emotions and anecdotes and experiences and words and silences that doesn’t exist anywhere else if not there, in that moment. Half hour after half hour. From stage to stage. Within the route. Easier to say than to try explaining, indeed.

The “rhythm” of the walk, however, seems to have nothing to do with the one of the real world. Even if it happens in the real world. News, text messages, phone calls, notifications that arrive during the walk seem almost clashing with the rhythm of the steps. They intersect badly with the surprising fresh air given by the shadow of a tree. They don’t surprise more than a sudden blast of wind. Or a small cramp in the back. Everything inevitable seems to become almost more redundant and lighter. In some ways, even more tolerable. Even if there are people who race to establish who is going to drop the biggest bomb; who modifies democracy to make it a dictatorship as much as possible; who keep sailing away from the usual war to land in the usual indifference. One who swear to come back and maybe who will and one who goes away forever and will never come back. Everything seems to go forward and to flow, as if it was easier than it really is. Along the whole space and for all the time needed. Inside every possible thought. A step after the other.

Filippo D’Arino

Source: La Stampa

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news-import

Solo andata. Un passo dietro l’altro

Ho camminato per quattro giorni lungo la Via Francigena, nel tratto che va da Bolsena a Capranica (nel Viterbese). Ero in compagnia di altre 18 persone. Conoscenze vecchie e nuove unite dalla voglia di condividere un punto di partenza, un tragitto e un punto d’arrivo.

Un passo alla volta. Caldo, fatica, sudore e vesciche permettendo. Si sta molto insieme, camminando. E si sta anche molto da soli. Il che permette al tempo, e allo spazio, di prendere respiro. Di dilatarsi, di restringersi. Per diventare qualcosa di differente dal solito tempo e dal solito spazio. Mentre si procede semplicemente in avanti, in linea più o meno retta, i pensieri seguono per conto loro rotte anche molto alternative, incrociandosi a piacimento e in ogni direzione con i pensieri, le esternazioni e le emozioni altrui per tessere trame nuove e imprevedibili. Anche indecifrabili, a volte. Una mappa piuttosto fitta di sensazioni e aneddoti ed esperienze e parole e silenzi che non esiste da nessuna altra parte se non lì, in quel momento. Di mezz’ora in mezz’ora. Di tappa in tappa e di sosta in sosta. Dentro il cammino. Più facile farlo che provare a spiegarlo, in effetti.  

Il “ritmo” del cammino, comunque, sembra non avere niente a che vedere con quello del mondo reale. Anche se avviene nel mondo reale. Le notizie, i messaggini, le telefonate, le notifiche che arrivano sul cammino sembrano quasi stonare con il ritmo dei passi. S’intersecano malamente con il fresco sorprendente regalato dall’ombra di un albero. Non sorprendono più di quanto non possa fare un’improvvisa folata di vento. O una piccola fitta alla schiena. Tutto ciò che è inevitabile sembra diventare quasi più superfluo e leggero. In qualche misura, perfino più sopportabile. Anche se c’è chi fa a gara per stabilire chi sgancerà la bomba più grande; chi si tarocca la democrazia per trasformarla il più possibile in una dittatura; chi continua a salpare via dalla solita guerra per approdare nella solita indifferenza. Chi giura di ritornare e forse lo farà. O chi invece se ne va per sempre e non tornerà più. Tutto sembra andare comunque avanti e scorrere come se fosse un po’ più semplice di quanto realmente non sia. Lungo tutto lo spazio e per tutto il tempo che serve. Dentro ogni pensiero possibile. Un passo dietro l’altro.

Filippo D’Arino

Fonte: La Stampa

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news-fr-import

Explosion sur les réseaux sociaux pour la Via Francigena à Sienne

Le tronçon de Sienne de la Via Francigena, chemin qui relie Canterbury à Rome le long d’un parcours d’environ 1.800km, est très apprécié sur les réseaux sociaux. Selon une étude de l’Université française de Lille, en collaboration avec l’Association Européenne des Chemins de la Via Francigena, qui a lancé le projet « Les typologies du patrimoine culturel numérique. Le cas d’étude de la Via Francigena », il y a une explosion de messages de voyageurs le long de cet antique parcours.

La recherche a analysé les messages et les interactions des pèlerins, des marcheurs, des touristes et des institutions publiés entre août 2015 et juin 2016 sur Instagram et sur Twitter. On compte sur Instagram 4.619 messages et sur Twitter 7.188 consacrés seulement au tronçon de Sienne du Chemin. L’étude a été présentée ce matin au musée Santa Maria della Scala, un des points de passage des voyageurs sur la route, par le Président de l’Association Européenne Massimo Tedeschi et par le Directeur Luca Bruschi.

Une autre donnée ressort de l’étude. Que la Via Francigena Toscane, 380km au total, a une forte croissance de notoriété sur les réseaux sociaux, et que justement la province de Sienne a un rôle particulièrement important à jouer. Pour l’occasion, l’Assesseur au Tourisme de la Commune de Sienne, Sonia Pallai, a présenté les initiatives de valorisation de la Via. Chaque dimanche, du 7 mai au 25 juin et du 3 septembre au 15 octobre, revient # Siena Francigena, le trekking urbain en dix étapes dans de nombreuses villes traversées par la Via. Deux sorties des murs du chef-lieu sont prévues : la première à Monteriggioni, au nord de la ville le 6 mai et la seconde à Ponte d’Arbia, au sud le 27 mai.

Source : Agi.it

Ci-joint, le communiqué de presse sur le projet avec l’Université de Lille et le tronçon de la province de Sienne.        

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news-en-import

BOOM ON SOCIAL NETWORKS FOR THE VIA FRANCIGENA OF SIENA

The Francigena, the road that connects Canterbury with Rome in an about 1800 km path, is very appreciated on social networks in its Siena section. According to a study of the French University of Lille, in collaboration with the European Association of the Vie Francigene, which launched the project “The typologies of numerical cultural heritage. The case study of the Via Francigena” there is a boom of posts of travellers along this ancient route.

The research analysed the posts and interactions of pilgrims, walkers, tourists, institutions published between August 2015 and the end of June 2016 on Instagram and Twitter, from which it appears that the posts dedicated to just the Siena section of the via on Instagram are 4619 and the tweets are 7188. The study has been presented this morning at the museum of Santa Maria della Scala, one of the landing points of travellers of the road, by the president of the European Association Massimo Tedeschi and the executive director Luca Bruschi.

The study highlights another fact. The one that says that the Tuscany Francigena, a total of 380 km, is strongly growing in fame on social networks and that Siena has indeed a particular important role. During the occasion, the assessor for tourism of the Municipality of Siena Sonia Pallai displayed the enhancement initiatives of the via. Each Sunday, from the 7th May to 25th June and from 3rd September to 15th October, #Siena Francigena comes back, the urban trekking within the walls in 10 stages in just as many places crossed by the via. Moreover, two trips outside the walls of the County Seat are planned: the first in Monteriggioni, North from the city on the 6th May and the second one in Ponte d’Arbia, South from the city on the 27th May.

Source: Agi.it

Attached it is possible to find the press release on the project with the University of Lille and the Siena section

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news-import

Boom sui social per la via Francigena senese

La Francigena, la strada che collega Canterbury con Roma in un percorso di circa 1800 chilometri , nella sua parte senese e’ molto apprezzata sui social. Secondo uno studio dell’universita’ francese di Lille in collaborazione con l’associazione europea delle vie Francigene che ha lanciato il progetto “Le tipologie del patrimonio culturale numerico. Il caso di studio della Via Francigena” e’ boom di post di viaggiatori lungo questo antico percorso.

La ricerca ha analizzato i post e le interazioni di pellegrini, camminatori, turisti, istituzioni pubblicati tra l’agosto del 2015 e la fine di giugno del 2016 su Instagram e su Twitter da cui emerge che su Instagram i post sono 4619 e i tweet 7188 dedicati al solo tratto senese della via. Lo studio e’ stato presentato questa mattina al museo Santa Maria della Scala, uno dei punti di approdo dei viaggiatori della strada dal presidente dell’associazione europea Massimo Tedeschi e dal direttore Luca Bruschi.

Nello studio risalta un altro dato. Quello che la Francigena Toscana, in totale 380 chilometri sui social e’ in forte crescita come notorieta’ e che appunto il senese ha un ruolo di particolare importanza. Nell’occasione sono state presentate dall’assessore al turismo del comune di Siena Sonia Pallai le iniziative di valorizzazione della via. Ogni domenica, dal 7 maggio al 25 giugno e dal 3 settembre al 15 ottobre torna # Siena Francigena , il trekking urbano dentro le mura in dieci tappe in altrettanti luoghi toccati dalla via. Inoltre sono previste due uscite dalla mura del capoluogo: la prima a Monteriggioni a nord della citta’ il 6 maggio e la seconda a Ponte d’Arbia a sud il 27 maggio.

Fonte: Agi.it

In allegato il comunicato stampa sul progetto con l’Università di Lille ed il tratto senese

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news-en-import

The Via Francigena: On the Road with Sigeric in Switzerland

“So many pearls that keep together this beautiful necklace made of a dense network of people and villages. And there’s so much passion! And then the communication afterwards!’

These sentiments expressed by Luca Bruschi, Director of the European Association of the Via Francigena, capture the essence of the pilgrimage.

The Via Francigena route is based on a travel diary written in 990 AD by Archbishop Sigeric. He travelled from Canterbury to Rome to receive his Pallium from the Pope and on his return noted 79 places where he rested.

Last year I made the entire pilgrimage from Canterbury to Rome and received the Pilgrim’s Testimonium. But, my pilgrimage was not just about receiving this treasured document. As Luca says the real joy is in being part of the network of people and the communication afterwards. For me, it is like a new beginning!

When I returned to Australia after my pilgrimage my passion for the Via Francigena intensified. So, I ended up back in Italy and Switzerland a mere four months later. My aim was to spend more time in the 7 places where Sigeric rested in Switzerland.

The itinerary map rather beautifully displays, like pearls on a string, the towns and villages that run through the Swiss Via Francigena.

Orbe

Orbe was the last place in Switzerland (LV or 55) where Sigeric rested on his way back to Canterbury. It is an ancient Roman and Medieval town that still has Roman mosaics, ancient Swiss bridges and my favourite Swiss wine, Gamay.

On my recent visit, I walked for several hours along the Via Francigena pathways near Orbe and enjoyed the solitude of the Swiss countryside. My only companions were green and golden pastures dotted with tiny villages and the purple glow of the distant snow clad Jura Alps!

In Sigeric’s day, major crossroads passed through Orbe and would have been packed with travellers, and a few centuries later, with pilgrims. But, I had it all to myself!

Romainmôtier Abbey

Eventually, I ended up at Romainmôtier Abbey! It has the oldest Romanesque church in Switzerland, and was established in the10th century by Cluny monks. But, there is evidence that the church was built in 10 stages going right back to the 1st century. I did enjoy seeing the amazing Romanesque columns, capitals and frescoes!

After my walk I was badly in need of a cup of tea! So, I headed straight for the orange Tea House building – once the Abbey Priory. My pot of tea was truly refreshing, alongside a big bowl of local Swiss vegetable soup with bread and a huge plate of cheese.

I had true insight into how grateful medieval pilgrims must have felt to sit and eat this same fare!

Lausanne

Lausanne, Sigeric’s resting place (LIV or 54), is located on Lac Léman (Lake Geneva). So, I decided to walk up the steep slopes from the Lake to the Cathedral. The walk is well worth it for the vistas of the city and views to the Lake and Alps – but did result in blistered feet!

Lausanne’s 12th Century Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral is as popular today as it was for medieval pilgrims. It has many amazing features. I love the polychrome figures in the Painted Portal, the belfry and 13th century rose windows.

I managed to locate the Church of St Francis and feeling very weary after the walk, I was reluctant to go in. I tried to take a photo of the labyrinth on the door, but it kept opening. I figured St Francis was inviting me in to pray!

Later in the afternoon, I decided to walk to Vevey (Sigeric’s 53rd resting place). This was a little ambitious given the blisters and the fact that it is a four-hour walk. Fortunately, I had my sketchbook and pencils. So, I found a great spot to sit and sketch the Alps and watch the sun set.

Vevey glowed brightly in the distance, as did the vineyards of Lavaux. Then, as the light faded, I headed off to sample the local Lavaux wine and some Swiss-Italian cuisine!

Aigle

Leaving Lac Léman the Via Francigena goes through the Alp encased Rhône valley. Sigeric rested in a small village near Aigle (LII or 52). This village is beautiful with its winding streets, the Napolean Bridge, Castle and surrounding vineyards and towering Alps.

The Abbey of Saint-Maurice

Another place in the Rhône Valley where Sigeric rested is the Abbey of Saint-Maurice (LI or 51). It is mid-way between Canterbury and Rome and has been a place of continual prayer, ‘laus perennis’, for over 15 centuries. In 2015 there were big celebrations for its 1500th anniversary.

This place is definitely a ‘pearl’ with so much to see! I loved visiting the Basilica, the archaeological site, the catacombs, the treasury and the cloisters.

Visiting this Abbey made me think of the fellow pilgrim I met last year. During that visit, I expressed that I was hoping to go back to France to see places I had missed. But, he very sternly reminded me that the way forward to Rome was so much better. I carried this piece of advice all the way to Rome, and into my daily life, making decisions that move me forward, not backwards. This has been a very big change for me!

Orsières

The Via Francigena ascends steeply into the Alps at Martigny, arriving at Orsières (Sigeric’s rest place L or 50). I do enjoy wandering through the ancient streets, eating in the Café des Alpes and admiring the medieval belfry of the Saint-Nicolas’ church.

Bourg Saint-Pierre

Bourg Saint-Pierre, at an altitude of 1632 m is the next place (LIX or 49) where Sigeric rested. In 810 it had a monastery dedicated to Saint Peter catering for pilgrims. The Romanesque belfry and the hotel where Napoleon dined are great to see.

At Bourg Saint-Pierre there is a tunnel through to Italy. At an altitude of 2473 m, Grand St Bernard Pass is only accessible 2 to 4 months of the year. So, walking the Via Francigena is quite limited here.

Grand Saint-Bernard Pass

I have been fortunate to visit Grand Saint-Bernard Pass several times. Last year, in October, we had our Pilgrim Credentials stamped at the Hospice. We received a true pilgrim’s welcome, with a warm bowl of soup, and a visit to the Chapel and Museum.

Outdoors, there is an ancient Roman road and a lake beyond which marks the Italian border and of course, St Bernard standing guard over the path to Rome and St Peter’s!

Carol Neville


 

Travelling the Via Francigena

For more information on the Via Francigena visit the official website https://www.viefrancigene.org/en/.

There are more photographs and information on Carol’s website http://www.carolneville.com.au. Please contact Carol through her website if you wish to join an event in Italy or attend an information evening.