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Hi!
I walked from Rocroi to Vezelay in several stages. I constantly switched from the GR to the way marked by the local association (randonneurs pelerins 51) : between Rocroi and Reims, I mixed the two of them. From Reims to Troyes, I followed the Via Campaniensis. Then I followed the GR again...
Well, it maybe used less space than other posts - but I am really confident that anyone interested in the subject will read all the answers we write with the same attention… ;)
Good to know that they definitely finished their guidebook from Rocroi till Vézelay - but you still have to decide...
There are in fact different options:
- a camino marked by the different pilgrim associations along the way. (marked as Falcon posted here)
- the GR waymarkings (white and red signs).
From Auxerre to Vézelay, you should follow these GR signs; it's a 2 days walk. This alternative part has not...
Indeed, I walked this one - first through those lovely Champagne vineyards (Reims, Epernay…), then cities like Chablis, Auxerre, Irancy with definitely most delicious wine.
Nice cities, beautiful (but perhaps not spectacular) landscapes…
You could perhaps start in Auxerre, follow the GR 654 to...
Hi Kristin,
the question is whether you would like to meet other people or not.
Whether you are fit or not
Whether you are adventurous or not
If you are a fit, adventurous and solitaire person, you could easily walk the Piémont way. (not many pilgrims, ups and downs approaching the Pyrenees, at...
... and if the idea is to slow down: Why not taking a bit more time to visit Auxerre (a very charming town and worth to bee seen), having a glass of lovely Auxerre, Chablis or Irancy in a nice restaurant at night, sleep at "maison des randonneurs" at a reasonable price and simply walk the 2...
Hello Scruffy,
I cannot really tell you which way to take (I only arrived at Vézelay and went not yet further on)...
But: the representative from the French Association was formal: the southern road is the more beautiful one, he said.
I know a blog (in French) describing how to mix both ways...
How to resume all this in a few words...
In fact, I started in Aachen (Germany) (or Aix la Chapelle in French) and have been walking so far till Vézelay.
I did all this in plenty of stages and not all at once. As I live in Brussels, Belgium, this was a good possibility to be on a camino without...
All depends on the winter to come.
I personally walked already in december in Belgium (towards Vezelay), there was snow and at one place a very difficult part because of fallen trees in a steep descend. Except that, it was great to walk in the snow, waymarkings were perfectly visible (white-red...
Back to Brussels after 8 walking days, from Briennes le Château to Vézelay...
By now, Metropolly, you must be well on your way, so this information might not be very uselful for you.
About crowds : 'Which crowds???'
I mostly heard about pilgrims passing behind me, or having spend a night...
@giorgio: beautiful picture, thank you!
@Metropolly: I neither can imagine plenty of pilgrims on that path... Especially as the way has somehow been splitted into 2 caminos between Reims and Vézelay: the GR with its white and red marks, and another path planned by the local French association...
Thank you, Luka! I guess I will...
Now, I mostly have some questions - as I read your stages on your blog.
- La Loge aux chèvres: Did you stay in the gîte of Madame Perou (La Bulle de Vert)? I tried to phone several times to book a bed, but they never replied...
- Did you need a sleeping mat...
Quick decision taking today:
Around Easter, I will continue towards (and till) Vézelay.
Starting in Brienne-le-Château (close to Troyes, where I stopped the more direct way promoted by the "association RP 51"), I will now continue on the GR 654.
Probably "without a tent" (and without a...
Jimbeans,
The two associations mentioned by Margaret are the (two) Belgian associations busy with pilgrimage, pilgrims and camino issues in this lovely country which I call mine...
As to my knowledge, they just grant a credencial to their members. (membership being about 20€/year).
I once...
And me thinking I am on the Via Monastica .........
Well, what to say - landscapes on the GRs are spectacular especially between Namur and the French border but there is much up and downhill and often, you avoid villages or towns ...
You might switch between both (if distances are not too...
Till now, I just can tell you between Namur and Reims... :
- Malonnes - Monastry of Clarisses (sisters) - really close to Namur
- Dinant : Monastry (they have just few rooms - you should reserve)
- Hotel Val des Colverts (Hastière par Delà) - they have one cheaper room (25 or 30€?) but without...
Luca,
goodness, no I did not speak about the N96...
So, if your guidebook leads you along that one, you will be fine - I followed the GR 654 from Namur to Reims (just home now after 5 marvellous days on the Camino!!!).
The part I meant is following the small river Hermeton from the village of...
I will start on Tuesday for the section "Moulin-Manteau" (Belgian border) to Reims.
Without a tent.
Look at the site http://www.randonneurs-pelerins.fr/rocroi-r.html
You will find plenty of information (in French).
They have some information about where to spend the night.
Appartently plenty of...
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