Tuesday July 21, 2020 Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Regional Tourism Committee conducted a field trip to the Haute-Saône department to learn more about the Via Francigena.

Their programme consisted of a visit to the EAVF operational headquarters in Champlitte, France, and a series of walks along the route: Leffond – Montarlot, the banks of the Saône river – the Savoyeux tunnel, finishing between Vantoux and Bucey-lès-Gy.

Jean-Philippe Perrusson, Committee trails’ coordinator, was able to meet two accommodation owners along the route: Christophe Desré, an owner of a bed-and-breakfast in Dampierre-sur-Salon, which was completely renovated to welcome pilgrims, and Monts de Gy gîte in Bucey-lès-Gy, which can accommodate up to 13 people and is managed by the association ” Patrimoine et environnement des Monts de Gy “.

Jean-Philippe Perrusson noted a cycling path for Via Francigena velo-pilgrims, which alters passages in forests, small country roads and little villages.

The Via Francigena is one of the principal walking routes of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, it is a great example of sustainable tourism product and territorial development.