WALKING THE VIA FRANCIGENA

This guidebook describes the first part of the Via Francigena pilgrim route, from Canterbury in England to Lausanne in Switzerland. Starting at Canterbury Cathedral, it crosses the English Channel then makes its way along canals, former battlefields, farmlands and historic villages in France to arrive at Lake Geneva in Switzerland. The route is described in 52 day stages which range between 11km and 39km, but can easily be customised to other itineraries. It is suitable for any averagely fit walker but a few mountainous stages include steep terrain.

Full stage directions are accompanied by 1:100,000 maps showing the route line and the facilities available at different locations. Accommodation listings give invaluable information on low-cost pilgrim hostels and where to stay. There are useful city maps for Canterbury, Calais, Arras, Reims, Langres, Besan?on, and Lausanne, and a stage-planning table lists intermediate distances between accommodation, so you can customise your own walking schedule. Certified by the Council of Europe as an official Cultural Route, the Via Francigena from Canterbury to Rome brings to the modern pilgrim the cultural heritage of four nations - England, France, Switzerland and Italy. This guidebook is one of a set of three volumes that covers the route.