Paris -> Sens ->Vezelay – The end of the road

The Paris Sens Vezelay race came to an end this weekend, with the finish on Sunday lunchtime in Vezelay.

Based on an idea by Albert Echilley and Louis Chevalier at the end of 2021, this event is part of the 70th anniversary festivities (postponed by 2 years due to Covid) of the Société Française des Amis de Saint Jacques de Compostelle (SFASJC).

This project was carried out in collaboration with the Association des Pèlerins de Saint Jacques de Compostelle Saint-Fargeau Ponthierry (ADPDSJDC).

The first 7 stages were completed on Sundays during our preparatory walks between November 21, 2021 and July 3, 2022. As the distances became too great to make the round trip in a day, the last stages took place over 3 weekends: August 26 and 27, September 10 and 11, and the last one on October 22 and 23.

For this last weekend, we enjoyed ideal weather, a friendly atmosphere and some great encounters, including that of the hunters near their hut, and a pilgrim, Vincent, who accompanied us all weekend.

A warm welcome was extended to us at the Loisi-yonne gîte at Lac Sauvin, and the evening ended in song.

On Sunday, after a 12 km walk, we were welcomed in Asquin by Gerald Béhuret, his wife Colette and Claude Prieur. Francoise Charlier gave us a tour of the Asquin church. This was followed by a steep ascent to Vezelay.

When we arrived in front of the Basilica of Vezelay, a hurdle of honour was spontaneously put in place to reward 2 people who had a little difficulty on the first stages. This hurdle remained in place to thank the Friends of Saint Fargeau, the dynamic team behind the revival of this Way. Indeed, it was the ADPDSJDC who marked out and maintained the route, sought out accommodation, managed a gîte and created the Paris Sens-Vézelay guidebook.

Then it was time for a final meal in the restaurant before heading back to the basilica.