Start the Vezelay in July - Pilgrim accommodation and refugees

[Steven B]

Hi All,
Flight booked so will be starting the Camino Via Lemovicensis (Vezelay) from Vezelay to SJPDP starting on the 12 July.
I have been coming across information that the pilgrim accommodations on this route are now hosting Ukrainian refugees.
Can anyone advise how the available pilgrim accommodation has been affected between Vezelay and SJPDP. Do they still keep space available for pilgrims etc.
Thanks in advance

 

[Mournes]

Hi All,
Flight booked so will be starting the Camino Via Lemovicensis (Vezelay) from Vezelay to SJPDP starting on the 12 July.
I have been coming across information that the pilgrim accommodations on this route are now hosting Ukrainian refugees.
Can anyone advise how the available pilgrim accommodation has been affected between Vezelay and SJPDP. Do they still keep space available for pilgrims etc.
Thanks in advance

Hi Steven,I have walked this route but not recently.I think your best bet for up to date information would be either at the Pilgrim Gite in Vezelay and or the Pilgrim Reception Office a few doors down from the Gite .I am assuming you will stay in the Pilgrim Gite which is excellent.
There are not as many pilgrims on this route as the majority of french people prefer the route from Le Puy.
As you know you can choose to go by Bourge or Nevers.
Like you I have read that Ukrainian refugees were being hosted in some gites.I have every confidence that you will get all the relevant information in Vezelay.
Don't worry you will get a place to stay.
Bon Chemin et Bon Courage.

 

[mspath]

Steven B.

For additional pilgrim accommodation when you get to France in the tourist offices ask about the donativo Chaîne d'Hospitalité Locale

Those who offer pilgrims such hospitality do so for the pleasure of meeting/greeting pilgrims as well as helping them. During past years my husband and I ran a b&b/pilgrim house in our farmhouse facing the Marne river as part of the local Chaine. My first pilgrim shell hung at the door marking it as a pilgrim place.

 

[jouffroy47]

As I understand it a few communes have done this but certainly not all by any means. Obviously you'll find out if this is the case when you call to book. I used the Miam Miam Dodo and the guide from this site : https://www.voiedevezelay.eu/sites/...ources-total-FR-Vezelay-SJPdP-FR-20230408.pdf

 

[Steven B]

Steven B.

For additional pilgrim accommodation when you get to France in the tourist offices ask about the donativo Chaîne d'Hospitalité Locale

Those who offer pilgrims such hospitality do so for the pleasure of meeting/greeting pilgrims as well as helping them. During past years my husband and I ran a b&b/pilgrim house in our farmhouse facing the Marne river as part of the local Chaine. My first pilgrim shell hung at the door marking it as a pilgrim place.

Thanks MSpath I have not used the Chaine d'hospital locale before. will check out your link. Thank you

 

[mspath]

Thanks MSpath I have not used the Chaine d'hospital locale before. will check out your link. Thank you

The link which I sent you describes the idea and ideals of the Chaine but provides specific info for Département 51 or the Marne. Hence this link does not provide info for the area of Vezelay which is Département 89 or l'Yonne.

 

[jdpiguet]

Complete and accurate information about the full Voie-de-Vézelay can be found here:
https://www.voiedevezelay.eu/en/tracks-guides

And latest news/info can be found at the Pilgrim Office in Vézelay:
24 rue Saint Pierre - 89450 Vézelay
Phone : +33 3 86 32 38 11

Buen Camino,
Jacques-D.

 

[Steven B]

The Communal Gîte at Sancoins has been closed due to Ukrainian refugees "CLOSED FROM DECEMBER 1, 2022 TO MARCH 31, 2023. THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING." It does not say if it has opened again. I am planning on walking through Sancoins and stopping at Augy-sur-Aubois. Will see if it is still closed when I go past.

 

[Steven B]

I am now getting quite worried about accommodation availability walking from Vezelay in July. So I thought I would check out the accommodation available using the Voie de Vezelay Resources guide 08 Apr 2023.
Starting from Vezelay. No confirmation in Vezelay I plan to just go to the Centre Sainte-Madeleine on the 12 July when I arrive. The first 2 nights from Vezelay are OK. However the refuge municipal in Corbigny is full (which started the alarm bels ringing) but I managed to get a pilgrims bed in Anthien. Now nothing seems available or I have not received a response the following 5 Days! I wanted to keep my pack light as my knees are not good but it seems that it may be a good idea to take a tent? Should I postpone the walk until after August or just take my chances?

 

[jouffroy47]

I am now getting quite worried about accommodation availability walking from Vezelay in July. So I thought I would check out the accommodation available using the Voie de Vezelay Resources guide 08 Apr 2023.
Starting from Vezelay. No confirmation in Vezelay I plan to just go to the Centre Sainte-Madeleine on the 12 July when I arrive. The first 2 nights from Vezelay are OK. However the refuge municipal in Corbigny is full (which started the alarm bels ringing) but I managed to get a pilgrims bed in Anthien. Now nothing seems available or I have not received a response the following 5 Days! I wanted to keep my pack light as my knees are not good but it seems that it may be a good idea to take a tent? Should I postpone the walk until after August or just take my chances?

I would just take my chances. July is not a busy month, May and September are the busiest. I would ask my hosts for suggestions. Sometimes they know someone that is not listed, say, in the Miam Miam Dodo. Are you on Facebook? There are several Vezelay groups there that might help you out at a pinch. This one is anglophone https://m.facebook.com/groups/889427117841069/?ref=share&mibextid=SDPelY

 

[Steven B]

I would just take my chances. July is not a busy month, May and September are the busiest. I would ask my hosts for suggestions. Sometimes they know someone that is not listed, say, in the Miam Miam Dodo. Are you on Facebook? There are several Vezelay groups there that might help you out at a pinch. This one is anglophone https://m.facebook.com/groups/889427117841069/?ref=share&mibextid=SDPelY

Thanks, I walked Le Puy in June / July in 2018 and only had a couple of issues with listed accommodation where the hosts were on vacation but otherwise was no problem. My concern is July August are the French holidays as pilgrims accommodation is currently uncertain I checked booking.com most places are unavailable already. those that are available are not on the route or expensive. Taking my chances is the likely outcome. I will check the facebook groups

 

[jouffroy47]

Thanks, I walked Le Puy in June / July in 2018 and only had a couple of issues with listed accommodation where the hosts were on vacation but otherwise was no problem. My concern is July August are the French holidays as pilgrims accommodation is currently uncertain I checked booking.com most places are unavailable already. those that are available are not on the route or expensive. Taking my chances is the likely outcome. I will check the facebook groups

Booking.com usually only has a few of the available rooms in a particular hotel or gite so even if it says "full" there may be space. It is always best to call directly. Also a few days in advance is usually sufficient.

 

[jdpiguet]

I am now getting quite worried about accommodation availability walking from Vezelay in July. So I thought I would check out the accommodation available using the Voie de Vezelay Resources guide 08 Apr 2023.
Starting from Vezelay. No confirmation in Vezelay I plan to just go to the Centre Sainte-Madeleine on the 12 July when I arrive. The first 2 nights from Vezelay are OK. However the refuge municipal in Corbigny is full (which started the alarm bels ringing) but I managed to get a pilgrims bed in Anthien. Now nothing seems available or I have not received a response the following 5 Days! I wanted to keep my pack light as my knees are not good but it seems that it may be a good idea to take a tent? Should I postpone the walk until after August or just take my chances?

When you are at L'Esprit du Chemin in Anthien, you may meet Arno, who is one of the maintainer of https://www.voiedevezelay.eu/en .
He may be able to help in contacting further hosts for you.
Buen Camino,
Jacques-D.

 

[Pafayac]

You can try this page:
https://www.vezelay-compostelle.eu/
The link "ici" leads to a map where you can click on locations in order to get information on the accomodations.
Map with accomodations

 

[Steven B]

When you are at L'Esprit du Chemin in Anthien, you may meet Arno, who is one of the maintainer of https://www.voiedevezelay.eu/en .
He may be able to help in contacting further hosts for you.
Buen Camino,
Jacques-D.

Thank you. I have had a couple of responses now and they both told me not to worry

 

[Steven B]

You can try this page:
https://www.vezelay-compostelle.eu/
The link "ici" leads to a map where you can click on locations in order to get information on the accomodations.
Map with accomodations

Thank you

 

[domigee]

Can you let us know, how did it go?
Hope it went very well

 

[Steven B]

Can you let us know, how did it go?
Hope it went very well

All went well. There were a few nights where the pilgrim accomodation were full. But managed to find alternatives. Mainly in the first week or so with competition from the French vacation hikers.

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid0Qepsq1c7hyNk6XoXvrC9aHvZwWwm3kKDgqqpWYNdNNLDGgEVJTzq2gemcGGpBuSml&id=1432879346