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Via Francigena - Section 3 Cycling
From Besancon to Lausanne - ""
Walking: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - 14 - 15 - 16 - Guided: 16 - Cycling: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8
The third section of the cycling Via Francigena starts from the beautiful old town of Besancon to the magnificent city of Lausanne. After visiting the old centre and the Citadel of Besancon, your route will be more challenging than in the previous sections, as you will partly cross the Jura and the beginning of the Alps. You will enjoy an undulating and green landscape, which will offer you outstanding sceneries until you reach Lausanne, worldwide famous for its natural and architectural beauty, overviewing the Lake Geneva and the Swiss Alps.
Your way on the Via Francigena is made easy by sign posting. Also, in our holiday pack is included detailed walking notes and maps making navigation even easier.
Following the footsteps of centuries of pilgrim, you will stay in 1,2,3 star hotel, and farmstay accommodation all en-suite. We transfer your luggage from hotel to hotel so you can travel comfortably with just a small backpack.
How to get there? Click here
Day by Day & Hotels
Hotels & country cottages have been carefully selected for their location, comfort, character, food, and friendliness of the staff. They are subject to availability and if the hotel described is not available, we will provide you with one of the same standard of comfort & price. Please click on hotel information below.
There are 6 days
Day 1: Besancon
You will be booked in an en-suite hotel room in the centre of the town. In Besancon, besid ... .. read more >
Meals: N/A Luggage Transfer: No
You will be booked in an en-suite hotel room in the centre of the town. In Besancon, beside all the facilities you may need, you will enjoy the historic centre, one of the most beautiful of any major towns in France, as well as the Vauban’s citadel or the St Jean Cathedral, two highlights of the town.
Day 2: Besancon to Moutier-haute-pierre
57km, +1266 m / -861 m: The stiff climb on your way out from the Besancon is a warning: af ... .. read more >
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Luggage Transfer: Yes
57km, +1266 m / -861 m: The stiff climb on your way out from the Besancon is a warning: after the flat previous sections, you will now have quite a challenging uphill cycle to continue. Even if some of the climbs may be quite stiff, you will always be rewarded by an outstanding view on the top. The roads you will follow are quiet and isolated, avoiding the busy N57, through farmland and woodland. The next part is amazing, as you go down in the canyon of Moutier-haute-pierre.
Day 3: Moutier-haute-pierre to Sainte Croi ...
41km: This section only use quiet roads until Pontarlier, however those roads become busie ... .. read more >
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Luggage Transfer: Yes
41km: This section only use quiet roads until Pontarlier, however those roads become busier as you are approaching Pontarlier. Pontarlier is the largest town you will meet until Lausanne, the second highest town in France. In there you can enjoy the Triumphal arch of the Porte Saint-Pierre (18th century), as well as the Gate of the ancient church of the Annonciades. As you are entering in Switzerland, you route will be more challenging, and the route between Pontarlier and Sainte-Croix is strenuous, climbing to 1152 metres, you will enjoy a great view of Chateau de Joux from above. Right before Sainte-Croix, the climb of the Col des Etroits is quite difficult, but once again the view you will enjoy before the descent to Sainte-Croix is outstanding.
Day 4: Sainte-Croix to Orbe
37km, +475 m / -1071 m: As you were climbing to reach Sainte-Croix the day before, you wal ... .. read more >
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Luggage Transfer: Yes
37km, +475 m / -1071 m: As you were climbing to reach Sainte-Croix the day before, you walking day is now mainly descending. After reaching Vuiteboeuf, the route generally follows broad farm and forest tracks. You can take a break in Yverdon-les-Bains to enjoy the two main highlights of the town: the 18th-century Temple (the protestant church) and the Castle. After Yverdon, your route mainly follows farm tracks, forest paths and minor roads. This part is flat and short, so you normally won’t have any difficulty to reach Orbe. In there, have a look at the Castle and the Swiss Reformed Church of Notre-Dame.
Day 5: Orbe to Lausanne
23km, +610 m / -716 m: Through farm tracks and some tree-shaded minor roads, you will firs ... .. read more >
Meals: Breakfast Luggage Transfer: Yes
23km, +610 m / -716 m: Through farm tracks and some tree-shaded minor roads, you will first follow a flat route, which will permit you to enjoy the beautiful Swiss sceneries. You will quickly enter in Lausanne’s outskirts, where you will follow quiet roads until you reach the centre of the Switzerland’s San Francisco. This nickname is due to the fact that Lausanne is scattered with incredibly steep hills, above the Lake Geneva. In there, highlights are the Notre-Dame cathedral, overviewing the Lake and the old town, the Olympic Museum and the Beaulieu Castle.
Day 6: Lausanne
This is the end of your holiday after breakfast. .. read more >
Meals: Breakfast Luggage Transfer: Yes
This is the end of your holiday after breakfast.
Prices & Booking
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There is no intermediaries when booking with us, so feel free to contact us for advice, customisation or if you wish to combine several sections together. If you just wish to make a quick payment, submit your credit card and reference on our booking page. |
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Classic |
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Note:
Options: We can upgrade your holiday in 4, 5* and Paradors. We can also offer extra nights and airport transfers. Ask us!
Families: We are now offering 40% off prices for children aged between 3-9 years old, and 20% off prices for children aged between 10-17 years old. Children under 3 come free.
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Price € PPS |
Single Room |
Extra Nights |
Solo departure |
Airport Transfer |
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High Season |
649 |
786 |
Single: 95 |
294 |
ask us |
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Mid Season |
629 |
749 |
Single: 90 |
294 |
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Low Season |
569 |
673 |
Single: 90 |
294 |
PPS: Per person sharing
Currency Converter by OANDA |
General details
Difficulty: 1 2 3 4 5 What is this?
Distance: 172km
Duration: 5 nights
Activity: 
Cycling
Comfort: In Style
Meals: Half Board
Available:
Price: From €569
10 reasons to book with us
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(1,2) Leisurely (3,4) Stimulating (5) A Challenge
Our holidays are graded by 3 categories of difficulty: Leisurely, Stimulating and A Challenge. This grading system will allow you to select the ideal holiday for yourself or your group. We aim to offer you the best experiences and unforgettable memories on a holiday where your desire for a challenge, comfort and safety are our priority. As the abilities of everybody are different, it’s important that you decide on a holiday which best suits your own needs and capabilities. You should take some time to look over our grading system so you can decide which holiday is best for you!
How do we grade?
When grading our holidays we take 3 main factors into consideration: Distance, Gradient and Trail Type (i.e. mountain track, forest road, surfaced road, etc.)
Our Easy walking and cycling holidays are best for families with young children. With older children, experience and fitness level should be considered when deciding on a holiday.
Leisurely(1,2)
• Time: Under 5 hours per day on average.
• Gradient: Gentle, no steep climbs
• Trail Type: Walking path, easily accessible
• Suitable for: Everybody. Some easy preparation walks should increase your enjoyment.
Stimulating(3,4)
• Time: 5 to 7 hours / less than 20km per day on average
• Gradient: Up to 1000m ascent per day on average, possibility of some steep climbing
• Trail Type: Walking paths, mountain trails, not technically difficult
• Suitable for: Moderate level of fitness required. Some weekend walks of around 3-4 hours should help your preparation.
A Challenge (5)
• Time: Days can be over 7 hours / 20km
• Gradient: Days can be more than 1000m, some steep climbing
• Trail Type: Walking paths, mountain trails, can be technically difficult
• Suitable for: Good level of fitness required. Previous experience would be best. Regular weekend walks of 4-5 hours or more are advisable in the months leading up to your holiday. These should include some mountain walks.
Besancon
Best option: Lyon airport (210km)
EasyJet operates in Lyon, serving flights from/ to London (Stansted & Gatwick), Edinburgh. Aer Lingus has a route between Lyon and Dublin. It is possible to gat flights to the busiest airports in Europe, e.g. London Heathrow (British airways), Madrid (easyJet), Paris (Charles de Gaulle and Orly, both with Air France), Frankfurt am Main (Lufthansa) or Porto (easyJet). See www.skyscanner.com .
The Rhonexpress (shuttle train) connects the airport with the city centre and the train station (named Lyon Part Dieu)(every 15min, approx. 30 min travel time).
The route between Besancon (station "Viotte" in the city centre) and Lyon can be taken by regional trains (4 times/ day, approx. 2h30 journey time). In addition, there are 6 TGV departures from the station "Franche-Comté TGV", situated 16km far from Besancon. See www.voyages-sncf.com.
Other option: Zurich airport (225km)
A lot of airlines offer flights from/ to Zurich airport. In Europe, a route from/ to the major hubs exist. There are also flights between Zurich and, for example, the USA, Canada, China or Dubai. See www.skyscanner.com.
The easiest connection between the airport and the main station ("Zurich Central") is the use of the tram no. 10 (at least every 15min, 40min travel time). There are other (faster) transports, but they include a change. See fahrplan.sbb.ch.
The route between Besancon (station "Viotte" in the city centre) and Zurich include different train changes (normally in Dijon or Mulhouse). Depending on the trains and the changes, the travel time is approx. 2h30-3h30, but the departures are available regularly. See www.voyages-sncf.com.
Included:
Luggage transferred from hotel to hotel
Rooms en-suite
Half Board during the hike
Holiday Pack: inc. notes & map(s) & pilgrim passport, what to bring, language book
Not Included:
Flights
Insurance (recommended)
Drinks
Dinner first and last nights
Transfer from/to airport
Bike rental (extra)
