France - Vezelay Route between Le Vezelay and Chateauroux
The Vezelay Route from Le Vezelay to Châteauroux
The Vezelay Route from the vineyards of Burgundy in the heart of France to La Charité sur Loire and Bourges. 10 walking days crossing a wide variety of wooded and cultivated terrain and a rich History.
The highlights of this leg also lies in the architecture and religious monuments :La Charité sur Loire,this 12th century monastic city encloses many treasures from the Middle age, the stone bridge, Notre Dame Church.
Bourges Cathedral is one of the Light Cathedrals and the city of Bourges is also worth the visit : the city was an important trade center in the 13th century, do not miss Jacques Coeur Palace.
Between Bourges and Châteauroux the Berry countryside is composed of ponds, wooded land, and goat breeding farms. Here goat cheese is a tradition. Issoudun is one of the attractive points of the area. Saint Roch Museum set in a former Hôtel Dieu shelters a collection of pharmacy furniture as well as contemporary art...
Day 1
LE VEZELAY
Arrive in the afternoon in VEZELAY
Take the time to visit the shrine of Mary Magdalene, whose relics are kept in the Abbey. The basilic is a gem of the 12th century.
Day 2
VEZELAY => TANNAY - Stage of 22.5 Km – 5h30 of walking
First stage of the walk with the Maison Dieu (14th century Roman Church Saint Jean Baptist) and St Verain Asnois Castle. Continue the bucolic way to Champlemy.
Day 3
TANNAY => CHAMPLEMY- Stage of 26 Km –6h00 of walking
The Church and Priory of Ouagne, Saint Germain des Bois, Cuncy les Varzy and finally Varzy and its 12th century Saint Pierre Church, the former castle of Auxerre Bishops, St Lazare Chapel.
Day 4
CHAMPLEMY to LA CHARITE SUR LOIRE - Stage of 20 km, 4h30 of walking.
Transfer to Arbouse and walk to La Charité, a place full of heritage.
Day 5
LA CHARITE SUR LOIRE => CHARENTONNAY - Stage of 25 km, 6h00 of walking.
Take the time to visit La Charité sur Loire, the stone bridge, the 12th c. monastic city, the Notre Dame Church. Then the walk continues towards Saint Martin des Champs and Sancergues where you will visit the gothic Church St Pierre de Charentonnay before arriving to the Chapels Hamlet and finally reaches Charentonnay.
Day 6
CHARENTONNAY => BRECY – Stage of 18 Km – 4h30 of walking.
You will keep on walking towards Baugy and its St Martin Church, Brecy (St Germain Church, altarpiece, relics of St Firmin).
Day 7
BRECY => BOURGES - Stage of 16 km – 4h00 of walking
From Gordon to St Germain-du-Puy by the Via Romana. Arrive in Bourges
To visit: the splendid St Etienne Cathedral and many interesting chapels and churches.
Day 8
BOURGES => SAINT FLORENT SUR CHER - Stage of 25km – 6h00 of walking
After leaving Bourges you will head out to St Ursin Chapel and Villeneuve-sur-Cher (church and fortified bridge over the Cher River)
Day 9
SAINT FLORENT SUR CHER => ISSOUDUN - Stage of 22.5 km, 5h30 of walking.
Day 10
ISSOUDUN => NEUVY PAILLOUX – Stage of 21 km – 5h15 of walking
A very peaceful road leads to the small village of Thizay. Continue your way to Neuvy Pailloux
To visit : St Laurent Church and the clock tower.
Day 11
NEUVY PAILLOUX - CHATEAUROUX - Stage 22 km - 5h30
End of the walk when you arrive in Chateauroux
Day 12
CHATEAUROUX
END OF THE TOUR AFTER BREAKFAST
Included : (see details in Dates and Prices section)
A combination of 2 and 3 star hotels and guest houses-
Half Board
Luggage transfer
An English road book and a map.
English speaking email or phone assistance
Starts in : Le Vezelay
Ends in : Neuvy Pailloux
Access : train station.
Information : click on "ask for more information"
Phone Cecile : +33 5 58 48 71 65
Customize your tour : add or remove one night or more,combine with another tour
See also :
The other routes on the Way of St James
MORE PHOTOS IN OUR BLOG : CLICK HERE
Highlights
Le Vézelay
La Charité sur Loire
Châteauroux
