GR 145 Via Francigena

Trail markings: red-white

The Via Francigena, a European itinerary in the footsteps of Cigeric, Archbishop of Canterbury who travelled to Rome in 990, stretches over 1,700 km.It crosses the Pas-de-Calais over 250 km from Calais to the Somme department.Along the way, you'll discover Calais, Cap Blanc Nez, Wisques Abbey, the varied landscapes, Notre-Dame de Lorette and Arras, capital of the Artois region... There are 12 stages:Stage 1 (20.5km): Calais to WissantLeaving Calais, the city of lace, along the Côte d'Opale to reach the slope of the Blanc-Nez towards Escalles notch on the Grand Site des 2 Caps.Stage 2 (26.5km): from Wissant to GuînesA view of the Boulonnais mountains as you cross the Landrethun-le-Nord forest and reach the Guînes forest house.Stage 3 (16km): from Guînes to LicquesLeave Guînes for the Rietz-aux-Anglais forest. Join the chapel and forecourt of Licques Abbey. Stage 4 (15km): from Licques to Tournehem-sur-la-HemLicques, a natural heritage and the Tournehem-sur-la-Hem forest, a remarkable history, before crossing Cahen, Yeuse and Guémy.Stage 5 (20.5 km): Tournehem-sur-la-Hem to WisquesThe old mill towards Nort-Leulinghem, the city of ‘memoirs of life’, before joining the pilgrimage route.Stage 6 (17.5km): from Wisques to DelettesLeave Esquerdes for Wisques, famous for its Notre-Dame abbey. Follow the countryside through the Esquerdes woods to Delettes.Stage 7 (24km): from Delettes to AmettesOverlook the Lys valley, the ancient city of Thérouanne, a jewel of biodiversity and the limestone hillsides of Nesles. A brief glimpse of the Château de LiettresStage 8 (22.5 km): from Amettes to Bruay-La BruissièreGain a better understanding of the history of the Saint Benoît Labre house in Amettes to reach the community of Bruay-La Bruissière, its mining landscapes and slag heaps.Stage 9 (26.5km): Bruay-La Bruissière to Ablain-Saint-NazaireA short visit to the Olhain departmental nature and leisure park, considered to be the green lung of the Pas-De-Calais. Then a forest path leading to the Notre-Dame-de-Lorette cemetery.Stage 10 (20 km): from Ablain-Saint-Nazaire to ArrasA glimpse of Mont-Saint-Eloi and its abbey, a historic monument dating from 1921, before arriving in the town of Marœuil and the entrance to Arras.Stage 11 (25.5km): Arras to BapaumeDiscover Arras, its Grand' Place, architecture and embroidered facades. Recall memories of the war in Hamelincourt to reach the village of Sapignies.Stage 12 (15.5km): from Bapaume to RocquignyCross the south of the Arras region and its plains from Bapaume via Beaulencourt and Villers-au-Flos to reach the Somme département.