Is the Vezelay well marked?

[LesBrass]

Hello folks - I've been walking along the Vezelay route as it passes very close to home... the plan is to walk to St Jean over the next couple of months as training before I start the CF in September.

A few times I've found myself pausing en route and wondering which way I should go... a few times I've missed the sign or simply not seen it. Often I enter a chemin/path and dont see another sign until I get out the other side a few km later... which is a little disconcerting.

Is this normal? Is this how it is on the CF too? Or is it that I'm just not being very observant?

 

[Deleted member 3000]

A few times I've found myself pausing en route and wondering which way I should go... a few times I've missed the sign or simply not seen it. Often I enter a chemin/path and dont see another sign until I get out the other side a few km later... which is a little disconcerting.

Is this normal? Is this how it is on the CF too? Or is it that I'm just not being very observant?

Some sections have almost no balises. Other sections are great. Each section is handled by a different Amis et Pelerins group. Some do a good job. Some don't. Take a guide or map if getting lost is a big deal to you. For just day walks for training, it does not make much different where you go as long as you can get home!!

 

[mspath]

Some sections have almost no balises. Other sections are great. Each section is handled by a different Amis et Pelerins group. Some do a good job. Some don't. Take a guide or map if getting lost is a big deal to you. For just day walks for training, it does not make much different where you go as long as you can get home!!

LesBrass,

Much of what Falcon notes for the Vezelay is also true for the CF.
Of course we all look for the famous yellow arrows and/or stylized shells but they may be small or large, high or low, painted on a rock, nailed to a tree, etc. When the path is further hidden by fog, rain, mud or snow any marker can be especially hard to spot. Sections of the CF and the alternates are tended by various local groups. Hence, like everything else on the camino, and in life, there is NO CONSISTENT marking system.

However in September the basic CF route should be well marked by the figures of those pilgrims ahead of you as on a giant chess board. Nevertheless do carry a map and remember that on the CF you are basically moving west. Enjoy the challenge!!

Margaret Meredith

 

[scruffy1]

Just back from Vezelay the route is well marked by two different groups, sometimes overlapping sometimes going offseparately. The route marked by the guide of Monique Chassain is marked sadly the guide is very outdated concerning lodging food etc however her maps are very good. The marking on this guide often utilises the existing GR marks in places where they do actually overlap and you may not see them.Your other option is Randonnee guide which marks a slightly different route with the French hashmarks, the red and white stripes also seen above. The GR is longer, laid down to avoid pavement which is a good thing but may be 5-10 kilometers longer in order to pass between the same two places - the authors love cow pastures, forest paths, but beware warnings such as Très humide don't mean just very wet they mean mud up to your shins! The GR guide is super up to date and lodging, food, and tourism are all right on. I took both and planned using both options often on a daily basis. Bon Marche,

 

[LesBrass]

Some sections have almost no balises. Other sections are great. Each section is handled by a different Amis et Pelerins group. Some do a good job. Some don't. Take a guide or map if getting lost is a big deal to you. For just day walks for training, it does not make much different where you go as long as you can get home!!

Hi Falcon (and Margret) I am hoping that I have been walking in a less well marked route in that case... today was better and I noticed a different kind of marker so perhaps I'm in a well maintained section!

I am still in areas where I kind of know the geography but I'm getting further away from home - when I go again on Friday I'll be in the Gironde and really into unknown areas... but OH is tracking me via GPS so he can come and get me at the end of the day

Just back from Vezelay the route is well marked by two different groups, sometimes overlapping sometimes going offseparately. The route marked by the guide of Monique Chassain is marked View attachment 11195 sadly the guide is very outdated concerning lodging food etc however her maps are very good. The marking on this guide often utilises the existing GR marks in places where they do actually overlap and you may not see them.Your other option is Randonnee guide which marks a slightly different route with the French hashmarks, the red and white stripes also seen above. The GR is longer, laid down to avoid pavement which is a good thing but may be 5-10 kilometers longer in order to pass between the same two places - the authors love cow pastures, forest paths, but beware warnings such as Très humide don't mean just very wet they mean mud up to your shins! The GR guide is super up to date and lodging, food, and tourism are all right on. I took both and planned using both options often on a daily basis. Bon Marche,

Scruffy i've not come across those signs yet... they look great! I'm still following the small rectangular stickers. Some of my paths have follow the RN/GR signs but none yesterday or today... but the marking seemed easier today too.

I will have a search for the guides thought... I'm moving further from home and I should be better prepared.

Just out of interest did you wakl through Saint Astier town or Neuvic on your travels? I was driving somewhere near home and I thought I saw a chap that looked very much like your picture... just wondering

 

[scruffy1]

Alas no