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Via Francigena - Section 8
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 eighth section of the Via Francigena goes from Besancon to Lausanne, spanning two countries, France and Switzerland. The route you will follow between those two large towns is more challenging than every previous section, as you will cross the Jura and a part of the Alps Mountains, and also because of its large length. However, the difficult spots will be concentrated on stretching climbs, and the route is not too hard to follow. The hardest parts are in the next sections. Here, between France and Switzerland, you will enjoy an undulating and green landscape, which will offer you outstanding sceneries until you reach Lausanne, the capital of the French-speaking Switzerland. Highlights of this trip are the 18th-century monuments of Pontarlier, the Temple and the Castle in Yverdon-les-Bain, and the beautiful views of the Swiss Alps until you reach the spectacular natural and architectural beauty of Lausanne, and notably the old Cathedral Notre-Dame.
Your way on the Via Francigena is made easy by sign posting. In England, you will look out for pilgrim sign, whereas in France you have to check 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 10 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.
Town Facilities: ATM, shops, all facilities. Lodging: An en suite room http://www.hotel-du-nord-besancon.com/en.html
Day 2: Besancon to Etalans
28.5km, +724 m / -370 m: After few hundred metres along the river Doubs, you will meet a s ... .. read more >
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Luggage Transfer: Yes
28.5km, +724 m / -370 m: After few hundred metres along the river Doubs, you will meet a stiff climb in your way, as a warning: after the quite flat previous sections, you will now have to walk challenging climb to continue. And even if some may be quite stiff, you will always be rewarded by the enjoying view on the top. After this climb, you will follow quiet and isolated roads, avoiding the busy N57 until Etalans.
Day 3: Etalan to Moutier-haute-pierre
20km, +724 m / -370 m: A great day, using quiet farmland and woodland tracks, or minor roa ... .. read more >
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Luggage Transfer: Yes
20km, +724 m / -370 m: A great day, using quiet farmland and woodland tracks, or minor roads until Hautepierre Le chatelet, where we drop down, from the high plateaux, to the exceptional Gorges of Moutier-haute-Pierre! You won't be disappointed.
Day 4: Moutier-haute-pierre to Pontarlier
26km, +752 m / -159 m: The first 10km of this section accross the magnificent Gorges. Then ... .. read more >
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Luggage Transfer: Yes
26km, +752 m / -159 m: The first 10km of this section accross the magnificent Gorges. Then 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.
Day 5: Pontarlier to Sainte-Croix
23km, +712 m / -462 m: As you are entering in Switzerland, you route will be more challeng ... .. read more >
Meals: Breakfast Luggage Transfer: Yes
23km, +712 m / -462 m: As you are entering in Switzerland, you route will be more challenging, and you walking day between Pontarlier and Sainte-Croix is strenuous, climbing to 1152 metres. The first off-road section will follow a stiff climb and descent, but 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 6: Sainte-Croix to Yverdon-les-Bains
21km, +223 m / -869 m: As you were climbing to reach Sainte-Croix the day before, you walk ... .. read more >
Meals: Breakfast Luggage Transfer: Yes
21km, +223 m / -869 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. In Yverdon the two main highlights are the 18th-century Temple, the protestant church and the Castle.
Day 7: Yverdon-les-Bains to Orbe
17km, +266 m / -217 m: Today, your route mainly follows farm tracks, forest paths and mino ... .. read more >
Meals: Breakfast Luggage Transfer: Yes
17km, +266 m / -217 m: Today, your route mainly follows farm tracks, forest paths and minor roads. This part, contrary to the other days, is flat and short. So you normally won’t have any difficulty to reach Orbe. In Orbe, have a look at the Castle and the Swiss Reformed Church of Notre-Dame.
Day 8: Orbe to Oulens-sous-Echallens
15km, +295 m / -189 m: This short section leads you from Orbe to the small village of Oule ... .. read more >
Meals: Breakfast Luggage Transfer: Yes
15km, +295 m / -189 m: This short section leads you from Orbe to the small village of Oulens, through farm tracks and some tree-shaded minor roads. Mainly flat, this short section will permit you to enjoy the beautiful Swiss sceneries.
Day 9: Oulens-sous-Echallens to Lausanne
23km, +314 m / -527 m: In this section, you will first follow farm tracks before quickly e ... .. read more >
Meals: Breakfast Luggage Transfer: Yes
23km, +314 m / -527 m: In this section, you will first follow farm tracks before quickly entering in Lausanne’s outskirts. In there 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.
Town Facilities: ATM, shops, all facilities. Lodging: An en suite room http://www.fassbindhotels.com/en-hotel-city.html
Day 10: Lausanne
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 |
989 |
1219 |
Single: 95 |
N/A |
Ask us |
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Mid Season |
949 |
1149 |
Single: 90
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N/A |
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Low Season |
889 |
1059 |
Single: 90 |
N/A |
Note: N/A
Currency Converter by OANDA |
General details
Difficulty: 1 2 3 4 5 What is this?
Distance: 172 km
Duration: 9 nights
Activity: 
Walking
Comfort: In Style
Meals: Half Board
Available: All year round
Price: From €889
10 reasons to book with us
Smartphones & Tablets
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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 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
