Via Francigena from Lausanne to Bourg-Saint-Pierre

Today you arrive into Lausanne, city of the Olympic Committee. Here, there are many attractions for you to visit as well as a plethora of restaurants for you to sample the sumptuous blend of French and traditional Swiss cuisine that Lausanne is known for.

You have two options today: you can walk the whole way around the shore of the lake to Vevey or you can take a short ferry ride from Ouchy to Cully. The boat will save you walking approximately 8km. If you choose to walk, you will have the lake on your right and steep hillsides of vineyards on your left. These vineyards are part of the Côtes de Lavaux, the largest vineyard area in Switzerland. Passing through various resort towns, you will have ample opportunity to grab a bite to eat or sample the locally produced wine. Arriving into Vevey, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding Alpine landscape. Vevey was also home to Charlie Chaplin for the last 25 years of his life, so be sure to find his statue on the promenade.

From Vevey, you can walk along the lakeside promenade adorned with flowers and palm trees before arriving at Château Chillon. This fairytale-esque castle is open for visitors if you have the time. Continuing on, you will head into Villeneuve (a lakeside town dating from Celtic times). It is renowned for its culinary delights and excellent wines. We would recommend treating yourself to a relaxing lunch here as the last section of today is flat and flanked by a mountain on either side and doesn’t have any services until you get to Aigle. The town of Aigle, where you will spend your night, is in the middle of a vineyard and has a mediaeval castle that is now a Vine and Wine Museum.

Head across the plain towards the river Rhône, and then follow a pathway along the river to St Maurice. Visit the Abbaye de Saint-Maurice, which celebrated 1,500 years of existence in 2015 and has relics of Saint Maurice. Having had a short day walking, you will have plenty of time to explore this charming town. So, why not visit the Grotte aux Fées (Fairy’s Cave), an underground cave with a small lake fed by a waterfall.

The walk from St Maurice to Martigny is through valley with the Rhône River on your left and the mountains towering sharply either side, providing spectacular scenery. This predominantly flat walk will pass through many small towns that will provide you with opportunities to take a break. One particular town you might wish to stop in is Evionnaz, which has the world’s largest labyrinth. Passing by orchards and vineyards, you will then arrive into the town of Martigny. This town’s winning feature is its tasty Mediterranean inspired food, so you will be in for a treat no matter where you eat! There are also many sites to visit. Dog lovers may want to visit the St Bernard Dog Museum.

Set out through the valley before you ascend through the woods and around to the small town of Bovernier. Follow the La Dranse River through the deep valley under forested paths before emerging at the town of Sembrancher. From Sembrancher, you will have two options to get to Orsieres. There is a lower level route that follows minor roads or a higher level route called the Chemin Napoléon that is mainly on grassy tracks. Passing through woods and farmland, you will then end your day arriving into Orsieres. Treat yourself to a meal in Samuel Destaing’s Restaurant des Alpes which was awarded a score of 15/20 in the international restaurant guide Gault Millau.

You will gain a fair amount of height today, climbing up paths from Orsieres to Bourg-St-Pierre. However, the walk is more pleasant and more undulating than you might expect through forests and meadows. Your stop for the night is the Alpine village of Bourg-St-Pierre, which is the gateway to Italy and is well-known for its welcoming character.

After breakfast, we bid you farewell. There is much to see in Bourg St Pierre, so why not explore this mountainous town at your leisure? The Church of St Pierre, with its romanesque tower, and the town’s Hospice, with its outbuildings are listed as Swiss heritage sites of national significance.