To Ghent on Thursday 4th October ....

[futurefjp]

So I have been back in the UK two weeks and I need to continue on the Camino - I got a flight to Belgium and feel a Way from Ghent, Sebourg into France to head towards Vezelay - does anyone have contacts for 'refuges' along the Via Scaldea????

Don't you just love the way ...

 

[Purky]

The Dutch Society of St. Jacob has an online interactive map which could be useful for you. You can zoom in for the Via Scaldea, and be sure to tick the box PW-BE (which means pilgrim path Belgium). Then also tick the box OV-BE (which makes accommodations visible as little colored balloons on or near the route; when in France also tick OV-FR).
When you click on a balloon, a pop-up appears with info like name, adres, phonenumber and all that. Most adresses are individual pensions and campsites. Unfortunately for you it is in Dutch, but Google Translate goes a long way... Bon chemin!

 

[futurefjp]

The Dutch Society of St. Jacob has an online interactive map which could be useful for you. You can zoom in for the Via Scaldea, and be sure to tick the box PW-BE (which means pilgrim path Belgium). Then also tick the box OV-BE (which makes accommodations visible as little colored balloons on or near the route; when in France also tick OV-FR).
When you click on a balloon, a pop-up appears with info like name, adres, phonenumber and all that. Most adresses are individual pensions and campsites. Unfortunately for you it is in Dutch, but Google Translate goes a long way... Bon chemin!

Thanks!

 

[lovingkindness]

Hello @futurefjp

In 2014 I hiked from Marmande (near Bordeaux) via Paris, Amiens and Ghent to Amsterdam. In Belgium I found the church deacons (diacre) helpful and hospitable. In Ghent a priest at the Klooster van de Paters Augustijnen said his community was about to open a pilgrims herberge. Perhaps this is up and running...

Here's a link to a resource I put together afterwards (Amiens - Amsterdam) :

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/amiens-to-amsterdam.27701/#post-278643

Cheers
Lovingkindness

 

[futurefjp]

Hello @futurefjp

In 2014 I hiked from Marmande (near Bordeaux) via Paris, Amiens and Ghent to Amsterdam. In Belgium I found the church deacons (diacre) helpful and hospitable. In Ghent a priest at the Klooster van de Paters Augustijnen said his community was about to open a pilgrims herberge. Perhaps this is now up and running...

Here's a link to a resource I put together afterwards (Amiens - Amsterdam) :

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/amiens-to-amsterdam.27701/#post-278643

Cheers
Lovingkindness

Excellent news fellow pilgrim!

 

[futurefjp]

Anyone any idea how many days Ghent to Reims?

 

[SabsP]

Anyone any idea how many days Ghent to Reims?

210 kilometres.
Do not know your mileage of course.

 

[futurefjp]

210 kilometres.
Do not know your mileage of course.

25 kilometres a day

 

[futurefjp]

210 kilometres.
Do not know your mileage of course.

the Via Scaldea quotes 297kms

 

[SabsP]

the Via Scaldea quotes 297kms

Lots will depend on availability of sleeping places.

 

[futurefjp]

Lots will depend on availability of sleeping places.

yes I know. I intend to ask the Klooster van de Paters Augustijnen if they have a list of monasteries, etc ... never know unless you ask.

 

[SabsP]

yes I know. I intend to ask the Klooster van de Paters Augustijnen if they have a list of monasteries, etc ... never know unless you ask.

Will ask around also.

 

[futurefjp]

Will ask around also.

that would be so helpful. I often set off with the Miam Miam Dodo ... but I know Belgium hasn't got this thing ...

 

[futurefjp]

... I now have to meet a friend in Reims on the 11th/12th so I think I will walk until the 11th and then hitch from there ... the Via Francigena comes out of Reims I think? But at Reims he wants to head backwards ... towards Canterbury!

 

[domigee]

... I now have to meet a friend in Reims on the 11th/12th so I think I will walk until the 11th and then hitch from there ... the Via Francigena comes out of Reims I think? But at Reims he wants to head backwards ... towards Canterbury!

Yes, the via Francigena goes through Reims... and all the Champagne vineyards
Good luck

 

[Purky]

Be sure to visit the cathedral in Reims. Not only for the amazing stained glass windows (and of course the smiling angel of Reims), but also to meet some of the volunteers of the Association Randonneurs et Pelerins 51. They are usually present at midday. They helped me out with a stamp, up-to-date info about the route and extra addresses of accommodations on the way to Vezelay. Some very dedicated and knowledgeable people.

 

[futurefjp]

Hello @futurefjp

In 2014 I hiked from Marmande (near Bordeaux) via Paris, Amiens and Ghent to Amsterdam. In Belgium I found the church deacons (diacre) helpful and hospitable. In Ghent a priest at the Klooster van de Paters Augustijnen said his community was about to open a pilgrims herberge. Perhaps this is up and running...

Here's a link to a resource I put together afterwards (Amiens - Amsterdam) :

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/amiens-to-amsterdam.27701/#post-278643

Cheers
Lovingkindness

It is not. Apparently they had some issues

 

[lovingkindness]

It is not. Apparently they had some issues

Thanks for the update

 

[futurefjp]

The priest's are helpful. Welden church. The priest is home. I'm safe the first night ... 32kms.

 

[SabsP]

The priests are helpful. Welden church. The priest is home. I'm safe the first night ... 32kms.

Ah great to hear! You are now in a wonderful region. Enjoy.

 

[mspath]

Here in France there is a often a Chain of Local ( donativo )
Hospitality offered for passing pilgrims. See more in French here. Those who offer such hospitality do so for the pleasure of meeting/greeting pilgrims as well as helping them find their way.

For example my husband and I live in a small Champagne village, facing the Marne river.
We have a b & b but also provide simple family hosting for passing pilgrims. My first pilgrim shell hangs at our door marking the path.

Check to see if such a Chain of Local Hospitality/ l'Accueil pèlerins à domicile exists where you might wish to travel in France.

Happy planning and Bon chemin!

 

[futurefjp]

Here in France there is a often a Chain of Local ( donativo )
Hospitality offered for passing pilgrims. See more in French here. Those who offer such hospitality do so for the pleasure of meeting/greeting pilgrims as well as helping them find their way.

For example my husband and I live in a small Champagne village, facing the Marne river.
We have a b & b but also provide simple family hosting for passing pilgrims. My first pilgrim shell hangs at our door marking the path.

Check to see if such a Chain of Local Hospitality/ l'Accueil pèlerins à domicile exists where you might wish to travel in France.

Happy planning and Bon chemin!

Hi,
I'm heading into France tomorrow from Tournai. I struggled to find any accommodation other than very expensive. I wound up in the Auberge de Jeunesse. Tomorrow I'm heading to Condé-sur-l'Escaut but I'm a bit worried there is no Amis St Jacques network in that part of France?

Am I going to struggle to find a bed? Should I start asking the priest???

 

[SabsP]

Hi,
I'm heading into France tomorrow from Tournai. I struggled to find any accommodation other than very expensive. I wound up in the Auberge de Jeunesse. Tomorrow I'm heading to Condé-sur-l'Escaut but I'm a bit worried there is no Amis St Jacques network in that part of France?

Am I going to struggle to find a bed? Should I start asking the priest???

Go the the Mairie aka Town Hall or the Office du Tourisme . They can give you info regarding possible gîtes.

 

[mspath]

Here is the local church's web with parish telephone info.
Perhaps you could stay in the parish hall.

https://st-francois-escaut.cathocambrai.com/

Good luck and Bon chemin!

 

[EGaley]

I'm planning a hike in that area for next fall, and found some relatively inexpensive Air BnB's in Northern France -- 20-50 euro. I've stayed at Air BnB's in the past and found them to be good experiences. You might want to check that out.

 

[Van De Casteele]

Hello, I walked last year a variation on the Via Sacaldea, From Ghent, over Tournai, Saint Quentin, towards Reims. My daily distances were about 30 kilometers less or more. I sent an attachment to this reply, with the places I slept. Mostly "Chambre d'hôtes", Bed & Breakfast.

 

[MinaKamina]

For Belgium, you may also try the Dutch website Vrienden op de Fiets ~ Friends on Bicycles. They are a network of families who offer a sleeping place and breakfast to bikers and hikers. Fixed price for one night is €19. (Plus a little more due to local taxes.) Membership is €8 for one year.
The website used to have an English version but that seems to have disappeared.

https://www.vriendenopdefiets.nl/nl


Tap 'Gent' in the search window in the middle of the page, choose the option "Gent, Belgium" and wait until the map with locations appears. By scrolling the map you can see if there are enough addresses on your route to merit a membership.

 

[futurefjp]

Go the the Mairie aka Town Hall or the Office du Tourisme . They can give you info regarding possible gîtes.

I remember this way. Obviously being in Belgium I forgot this way.

 

[futurefjp]

I took the wrong way, ended the day in Saint Armand les Eaux ... I took the wrong shell. But maybe it was meant to be. Now I am so far off the Via Scaldea to think I have to continue towards Saint Quentin, but then I'm a million miles from Reims going that way. I have struggled to find anywhere to sleep. I ended up in Raismes as I was told to catch a bus to a Maison du Diocesé as they ok'd me sleeping here. When I arrived they realised they had no attendant to supervise me at night ... So now I am hopefully staying with an employee ... But the closest path is that managed by Saint Jacques en Boulangrie and that heads to Saint Quentin. I'm a bit bewildered. Perhaps the way isn't really so established after Belgium with other Amis St Jacques in this part of Nord France?

 

[Purky]

Now I am so far off the Via Scaldea to think I have to continue towards Saint Quentin, but then I'm a million miles from Reims going that way.

Walking through Northern France is tough enough as it is, and you're bound to keep struggling when you stray off the Via Scaldea. If I would be in your place I'd walk to Valenciennes tomorrow and take a bus* to Sebourg which would put you back on the Via Scaldea. Good luck!

* Bus Line 131, twice daily (12:29 and 17:08) from Valenciennes Marly Place to Sebourg Eglise, about a 15 mn drive for €2,-.

 

[lovingkindness]

Hi there @futurefjp

You may find the GR Sentiers de Grandes Randonees website helpful :
https://www.gr-infos.com/gr-fr.htm

Sebourg to Reims:

1 GR 122a : Sebourg (close to Valenciennes) to Hannapes
2 GR 122 Hannapes to Chappes
3 Chappes to Justine-Herbigny (follow the D114 + D14)
4 GR 654 Justine-Herbigny to Reims

Cheers
Lovingkindness

ps I haven't walked any of these trails.

 

[futurefjp]

Walking through Northern France is tough enough as it is, and you're bound to keep struggling when you stray off the Via Scaldea. If I would be in your place I'd walk to Valenciennes tomorrow and take a bus* to Sebourg which would put you back on the Via Scaldea. Good luck!

* Bus Line 131, twice daily (12:29 and 17:08) from Valenciennes Marly Place to Sebourg Eglise, about a 15 mn drive for €2,-.

Where to sleep in Sebourg???

 

[futurefjp]

My host, who lives in Fenain, dropped me in Bouchain. This is another way ... Towards Saint Quentin ... Cambria, etc.

 

[futurefjp]

Walking through Northern France is tough enough as it is, and you're bound to keep struggling when you stray off the Via Scaldea. If I would be in your place I'd walk to Valenciennes tomorrow and take a bus* to Sebourg which would put you back on the Via Scaldea. Good luck!

* Bus Line 131, twice daily (12:29 and 17:08) from Valenciennes Marly Place to Sebourg Eglise, about a 15 mn drive for €2,-.

I unintentionally strayed ... This sign is the problem!

 

[futurefjp]

So. Five days. 150 Kms. Not another pilgrim, which I like, but struggled to connect with any Mairie or Parish in France. Was quite surprised. Oh well. Here I am in Reims. Perhaps in the spring I come back for the GR654? It would be a more legitimate way.

Oh how I love Flanders. I think I'm heading back to England that way. And why not ...