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Via Francigena - Section 5
From Reims to Bar-sur-Aube - ""
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 fifth section of the Via Francigena goes from Reims to Brienne-le-Chateau. After leaving Reims and its outstanding Gothic cathedral, you are now entirely walking on Champagne region roads, or mainly off-road paths. During the first kilometres, the route will follow the river la Marne, until Chalons-en-Champagne (which old name Chalons-sur-Marne may still appear on older signs). In there, you have to see at least the Notre-Dame-en-Vaux church, part of the UNESCO World Heritage. As you are leaving Chalons, you are heading south towards Brienne-le-Chateau and its amazing castle, on a small hill and Bar-sur-Aube. Highlights of this trip are obviously the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Reims, but also the outstanding Notre-Dame-en-Vaux Church and the Saint Etienne’s Cathedral in Chalons, the imposing overlooking château of Brienne-le-Chateau and finally the pretty little town of Bar-sur-Aube.
Your way on the Via Francigena is made easy by sign posting, the red and white strips. 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 8 days
Day 1: Reims
You will be booked in an en-suite hotel room in the centre of the town. Renowned all over ... .. read more >
Meals: N/A Luggage Transfer: No
You will be booked in an en-suite hotel room in the centre of the town. Renowned all over the world, Reims is home to some of the best known champagne labels, the “Grandes Marques”. Plus, Reims was one of the most important cities in French History. So you have to see the outstanding Gothic Cathedral (where a lot of Kings have been crowned), the Place Royale with its statue of Louis XV and the one of Joan of Arc and the Porte de Mars, the oldest monument in Reims.
Day 2: Reims to Trepail
26km, +486 m / -405 m: Mainly following off-road routes, this section has an easy start, b ... .. read more >
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Luggage Transfer: Yes
26km, +486 m / -405 m: Mainly following off-road routes, this section has an easy start, but is harder after few kilometres, as you have to climb a steep hill between vineyards and woodland. The descent to Trepail is also steep, and could be slippery as well.
Day 3: Trepail to Chalons-en-Champagne
26km, +149 m / -227 m: After the descent of the Montagne de Reims, the route will follow t ... .. read more >
Meals: Breakfast Luggage Transfer: Yes
26km, +149 m / -227 m: After the descent of the Montagne de Reims, the route will follow the towpath of the Canal Lateral a La Marne. Chalons is a nice town where you have to seat least the Notre-Dame-en-Vaux Church, part of the UNESCO World Heritage and the Saint Etienne’s cathedral.
Day 4: Chalons-en-Champagne to Coole
27km, +249 m / -179 m: Today, your route will follow busy roads during the first few kilom ... .. read more >
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Luggage Transfer: Yes
27km, +249 m / -179 m: Today, your route will follow busy roads during the first few kilometres. Then, the route will pick up the Roman road, crossing open countries. Coole is a very small village on your road.
Day 5: Coole to Meix Tiercelin
13km,+132 m / -156 m: Today is a short walking day. Your route will exclusively follow the ... .. read more >
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Luggage Transfer: Yes
13km,+132 m / -156 m: Today is a short walking day. Your route will exclusively follow the very quiet Roman road, until the small village of Melix Tiercelin.
Day 6: Meix Tiercelin to Brienne-le-Chatea ...
33km, +251 m / -259 m: Today is a long day, the most difficult of the section. Before the ... .. read more >
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Luggage Transfer: Yes
33km, +251 m / -259 m: Today is a long day, the most difficult of the section. Before the start, be sure to have with you everything you may need. However, the route is not hard; you will first follow the Roman road on open countries, and then continue to Brienne on minor roads. In Brienne, you will find all the facilities you need, as well as a beautiful château you must see.
Day 7: Brienne-le-Chateau to Bar-sur-Aube
29km, +238 m / -195 m: Your route today will follow the river Aube, through several small ... .. read more >
Meals: Breakfast Luggage Transfer: Yes
29km, +238 m / -195 m: Your route today will follow the river Aube, through several small lakeside and riverside towns, mainly on minor roads, and sometimes on woodland tracks. Some pathways run parallel to some of the road sections, but they can be overgrown. Bar-sur-Aube is a pretty little town, built by the river Aube, with a typical architecture.
Day 8: Bar-sur-Aube
This is the end of your holiday after breakfast. .. read more >
Meals: Breakfast Luggage Transfer: No
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 |
Split Walking |
Airport Transfer |
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High Season |
789 |
973 |
Single: 95 |
N/A |
Ask us |
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Mid Season |
769 |
929 |
Single: 90
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N/A |
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Low Season |
689 |
826 |
Single: 90 |
N/A |
Note: N/A
Currency Converter by OANDA |
General details
Difficulty: 1 2 3 4 5 What is this?
Distance: 136km
Duration: 7 Nights
Activity: 
Walking
Comfort: In Style
Meals: Half Board
Available: All year round
Price: From €689
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.
Please find below information on how to get to your destination and back. You can also look at our "Camino flight Finder" page, and our airport guide.
To Reims
The best way to travel to Reims is to fly to Paris airports. In Paris, you can land in 3 different airports: Orly and Charles de Gaulle are in Paris so they are served by the public transport. The third, Paris Beauvais, is 1h away from Paris, so you have to take a shuttle to Paris, on this website for example: http://www.aeroportbeauvais.com/bus.php?lang=eng.
A direct train between Paris and Reims takes less than 1hour and cost roughly 40€ pp. You can see this website http://www.raileurope.com/index.html for more details.
From Bar-sur-Aube
Travel to Paris is the chepeast and shorter way to reach international airports. From Bar-sur-Aube, you can catch a direct 2-hour train to Paris and its airports.
Included:
Luggage transferred from hotel to hotel
Rooms en-suite in nice hotel with character
Half Board during the hike
Holiday Pack: inc. notes & map(s) & pilgrim passport, what to bring, language book
Emergency number 24/7. On the ground support
Not Included:
Flights
Insurance (recommended)
Drinks
Dinner first and last nights
Transfer from/to airport
