This walk will have you continue south through the northern region of France, Pas-de-Calais.
Heading south through the northern region of France, Pas-de-Calais, the second section of the Via Francigena is rich in historical importance from both World War I and World War II. Take in the peaceful French countryside alongside the dense cultural history and simple lifestyle in the traditional French farming villages you find along the way.
Beautiful French Countryside
During your trip, you will cross some of the most typical countryside in France. The North of France is completely different from the South or the West. Here you will pass through old mining towns and cross fields of lush green grass nourished by regular rainfall. Breath the fresh afternoon air that tastes like nothing else in the afternoon sunshine.
Birthplace of Benoit Labre
Born in 1748 in the town of Amettes and the eldest of 18 children, Labre was called the ‘God Vagabond’ because he was a beggar pilgrim who travelled many European pilgrimage routes. He is the holy patron of the homeless, the beggars, pilgrims, and itinerant workers. His feast day is marked on the 16 April each year.
Arras City Hall
The Gothic and Renaissance style Arras City Hall is a UNESCO World Heritage site recognisable by its tall belfry. The city hall is located on Heroes Square, which is built in a style typical of the North of France. It is surrounded by houses built in the Belgian style. The Belfry of Arras was destroyed in 1914 and rebuilt between 1922 and 1932. You can visit the city hall and climb the 75m-tall belfry, which contains 37 bells. The views from the top of the tower are breathtaking and well worth all the steps.
WISQUES
ARRAS
Services
Included in this package
Add-On
Not included: Flights/trains, Insurance, Drinks/Lunch
Itinerary
Day
km
WISQUES
Wisques is a village like many others in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France – peaceful and idyllic. Here you can enjoy a traditional French meal and visit the town’s two Benedictine abbeys before embarking on this leg of the Via Francigena.
Day
22.7 km
WISQUES THEROUANNE
Today’s short walk is through the countryside and many small villages, any of which you can stop in to enjoy a coffee and get some lunch at the local cafés and bars. Passing through Wizernes, Helfaut, and Inghem, each village will provide an opportunity to explore what local life is like. Your stop for the night will be Thérouanne. Once a Roman capital and one of the richest bishoprics in Northern France, it is now just a small town.
Day
18.7 km
THEROUANNE AMETTES
Today you will leave Thérouanne and pass through the gently sloping countryside. Prepare to be awarded by sweeping views over crop fields. Halfway through today, you will pass through Enquin-les-Mines where you can grab a bite to eat. Your stop for the night will be Amettes, where you can visit the birthplace of Saint Benoît Labre, one of the patron saints of pilgrims, who died on the steps of a church in Rome after a life spent helping the poor on pilgrimages across Europe.
Day
20.7 km
AMETTES BRUAY LA BUISSIERE
The walk today will be somewhat longer than the last two days. Although still mostly through the undulating countryside, you will be moving through larger villages and towns. This area once used to be a hive of activity when mining was the main industry here but it is much quieter now. Bruay la Buissiere, your stopover for the night, is a former coal-mining town. There is a large Art Deco style swimming pool that you may be able to go for a dip in, depending on the time of year.
Day
km
BRUAY LA BUISSIERE BRUAY LA BUISSIERE
Today’s journey encompasses quaint villages and sprawling countryside, offering panoramic vistas of extensive crop fields all the way to the horizon. Your final stop is Acq, a charming farming village. You’ll be transferred back to Bruay La Buissiere for a second night’s stay.
Day
36.6 km
BRUAY LA BUISSIERE ARRAS
In the morning you will be transferred back to Acq. A short walk today will take you through rolling fields before you arrive into the town of Arras, which is the capital of the Pas-de-Calais department. Arras is a popular tourist destination thanks to its splendid Flemish and Baroque architecture. While you are here, a must-see is the Town Hall and its majestic bell tower, which was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005.
Day
km
ARRAS
Today we bid you adieu! As well as the town’s beautiful city hall and bell tower, you can also visit the Cathedral of Arras, first constructed between 1030-1396 and then destroyed during the French Revolution, and The Boves, a network of underground tunnels, built in the 10th Century, a whole 10 metres beneath the city.
Getting to Wisques, France
To begin your Camino, it is best to fly into the airport in the city of Lille.
Fly into Lille
Getting home from Arras, France
It is easiest to return from Arras via Lille Airport.
Fly home from Lille
Start Planning your Adventure Now
Walk the Camino to experience what is set to be the biggest Camino experience of the
century so far. Embrace your freedom to explore and challenge yourself to walk the Camino.
