Author: Redazione AEVF

The Via Francigena in France takes another step forward. Thanks to the agreement signed on 14th September between the EAVF (European Association of Via Francigena Ways) and FFRP (Fédération Française de la Randonnée Pédestre), the complete section of the route in France – reported as GR145® –  is available on the website www.viefrancigene.org. 

GR® is the network of long-distance hiking trails in France for which safety and quality of the route are guaranteed. Enthusiasts and walkers can take advantage of the maps and GPS tracks of the 47 French stages on the EAVF website, made available by the Fédération Française de la Randonnée Pédestre. 

The Via Francigena route begins in Calais, the Hauts-de-France region, passing through Reims in the Grand Est region, up to the Swiss border, near Jougne and the village of Les Fourgs, in the Bourgogne region Franche-Comté, about one thousand kilometres; slowly discovering the variety of landscapes and traditions across the Alps. 

“We are very satisfied with this initial result, fruit of the agreement aimed at enhancing and promoting the route of the Via Francigena in France – the AEVF comments – the GR145 is a path defined by the French that has, above all, environmental and touristic aims. We are now working with the Swiss publisher Suisse Itinerance and Favre to draw up a guide to be released by the end of next year“. 

In addition to putting the French track on the EAVF website, the commitment continues to the publication of guides. Work continues on the creation of the first official guide from Canterbury to the Great St Bernard Pass. “The guide will consider both the GR145 and Sigeric’s historical and shorter route“, adds the AEVF. 

Meanwhile, the first French edition of Terre di Mezzo’s guide on the Via Francigena from the Great St Bernard to Rome can also be purchased online. The guide can also be ordered in the package with the EAVF credential (https://percorsiditerre.it/negozio/la-via-francigena-edition-en-francais/). 

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The cultural routes of the Council of Europe, paths of faith and new meetings: this is the title of the day scheduled for 27th November at the Palais d’Europe in Strasbourg, organised by the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the Council of Europe. 

The event, organised in collaboration with the Council of European Episcopal Conferences (CCEE) and the EPA Secretariat, for the European Year of Cultural Heritage, intends to mark the adhesion of the Holy See 2018 to the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe. The day of meetings will bring together Catholic Bishops responsible for pastoral care in the cultural sectors; representatives of certified Cultural Routes; members of the Secretariat; NGOs and other interested parties. They aim to promote the EPA and cultural routes in Church media, exploring possible pastoral developments and underlining the importance of cultural heritage in the process of European integration. 

The event will open with greetings from Gabriella Battaini Dragoni, Vice-Secretary General of the Council of Europe and Mons. Paolo Rudelli, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the Council of Europe. Following their introduction will be the first session of activities dedicated to the routes that built Europe: “Where the past meets the future“. Speakers include: Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, Archbishop of Genoa, President of the Council of European Episcopal Conferences; Stefano Dominioni, Executive Secretary of the Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe and Director of the European Institute of Cultural Routes and Amb. Meglena Kuneva, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the Council of Europe. 

The day will continue with the round table entitled “Tourists and pilgrims: what synergies?” Moderated by Msgr. Jesús Sanz Montes, Bishop of Oviedo Participants: Msgr. Julián Barrio Barrio, Archbishop of Santiago de Compostela; Mr. Antoine Selosse, Delegate General of the network for the European Cultural Route of San Martino di Tours; Rev. Ragnhild Jepsen, Dean of Nidaros Cathedral (Norway), Route of Saint Olav Ways; Rev. Prof. Roman Bogacz, Director of the course of studies on religious tourism, Pontifical University St. John Paul II Krakow; Rev. Michele Falabretti, Head of the National Service for Youth Ministry of the Italian Episcopal Conference “I Cammini 2018″ and Stefan Lunte, COMECE. 

Download the programme in English and Italian below

The 15th Adventure Travel World Summit held from 15th to 18th October in Montecatini Terme (Tuscany) ended with great success. 

The event, organized by ATTA (Adventure Travel Trade Association), Toscana Promozione Turistica and by the local Municipal Administration, included 750 experts from 67 nations and was an important opportunity to present the Tuscan touristic offer of the outdoor and adventure sector, the Via Francigena included. 

As part of the international summit, Tullia Caballero, director of S-Cape Italia and SloWays, organised two 6-day journeys along the Via Francigena, as well as two “days of adventure” in which around fifty tour operators and journalists took part. 

One of the trips proposed to discover the Francigena, from San Miniato to Buonconvento, led by Alberto Conte (founder of ItinerAria and Movimento Lento) saw the participation of important people, including Sunniva Sorby, the first woman to go to the South Pole with skis; Caio Vilela, one of the most important travel photographers of Brazil; and Eric Stoen, American blogger author of Travel Babbo, ranked by Forbes fourth world travel influencer in 2017 and winner of the 2012 Conde Nast for best travel photo of the year. 

The American blogger narrated the 5 days of “cammino” along the Francigena with beautiful photographs and descriptive texts showing the route to his thousands of followers on Instagram and Facebook. An important showcase for the Via Francigena, which once again confirms itself as an international attraction, catching the attention of tour operators and travel enthusiasts from all over the world. 

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The 32km World Francigena Ultramarathon from Radicofani to Acquapendente will return on the 9th December 2018. 

Announced by the responsible organiser for the municipality of Acquapendente, Sergio Pieri. The bad weather of last weekend saved only the first of the two days of the marathon starting in Siena. 

With the passing of hours, water and wind put strain on walkers and the organisation, until the prefecture ordered the event to be stopped due to worsening weather conditions. Despite the understandable inconvenience, the marathon walkers did not lose their high spirit thanks to the incessant work towards safety and assistance along the route. 

“Given the request of the walkers already registered before the Ultramarathon, the organisers deemed it appropriate to recover the stretch from Radicofani to Acquapendente, cancelled on 28th October for adverse weather conditions – Sergio Pieri explains on his Facebook page – The event will be free for those registered for the 120km, 65km and 32km routes (Radicofani section). Non-registered walkers can also participate in the event (contribution to be established)“. 

Detailed rules for the event will follow shortly. In the meantime, already registered walkers can send their request for participation (name and surname) to the e-mail address: turismo@comuneacquapendente.it with the subject: walk participation Radicofani – Acquapendente. 

Update: from 7th – 27th November online registration available on the official website. Details in our news dedicated to the event: World Francigena Ultramarathon, the 9th December programme.  

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The 32km World Francigena Ultramarathon from Radicofani to Acquapendente will return on the 9th December 2018. 

Announced by the responsible organiser for the municipality of Acquapendente, Sergio Pieri. The bad weather of last weekend saved only the first of the two days of the marathon starting in Siena. 

With the passing of hours, water and wind put strain on walkers and the organisation, until the prefecture ordered the event to be stopped due to worsening weather conditions. Despite the understandable inconvenience, the marathon walkers did not lose their high spirit thanks to the incessant work towards safety and assistance along the route. 

“Given the request of the walkers already registered before the Ultramarathon, the organisers deemed it appropriate to recover the stretch from Radicofani to Acquapendente, cancelled on 28th October for adverse weather conditions – Sergio Pieri explains on his Facebook page – The event will be free for those registered for the 120km,