Enquire

France and Switzerland Stage 9

Via Francigena – Besançon to Lausanne – 7 Nights

Mar, Apr, May, Jun, July, Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov £999 pp

Book your adventure
Speak to an Expert

Or call us on

01768371289

CHOOSE A DATE

Dates may vary in price due to demand throughout the season and are subject to changes from time to time. We recommend booking your trip well in advance to secure the best pricing available for your preferred dates.

If you don't see a date suitable, please call on +44 (0)17683 71289 to organise a custom date.

Year
Month
Sep
Oct
Nov
Date
Month
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Date

Choose a different date


HOW MANY PEOPLE There are no more spaces available for this date

SUMMARY

Via Francigena – Besançon to Lausanne – 7 Nights

No. of People: 1

PAYMENT

PAY TODAY £

TOTAL £999

Close
Back to search

Continue your Via Francigena journey from the historic city of Besançon into the spectacular landscapes of the Jura and across the border into Switzerland. This rewarding section combines peaceful French countryside, wooded valleys and mountain landscapes before reaching the shores of Lake Geneva and the beautiful city of Lausanne.

Along the way, discover charming villages and historic towns including Foucherans, Mouthier-Haute-Pierre, Pontarlier, Jougne, Orbe and Cossonay. With a mix of rural trails, forest paths and rewarding climbs, this stage offers a memorable transition from France into Switzerland as you follow the ancient pilgrimage route towards Rome.

Quick Facts

  • 7 nights’ accommodation
  • 8 days’
  • Walk from Besançon to Lausanne
  • Approximate walking distance 177km (110 miles)
  • Difficulty: Moderate 
  • Follow the stunning Via Francigena
  • Enjoy comfortable daily walking distances
  • Stay in charming towns and hand-selected accommodations
  • Luggage transfers included

About & Details

This section of the Via Francigena takes you from Besançon through the Jura mountains and across the French-Swiss border before finishing in Lausanne. The route offers a wonderful variety of landscapes, from the wooded valleys and rolling countryside of eastern France to the higher Jura and the vineyards and villages of western Switzerland.

Over seven days of walking, you’ll pass through Foucherans, Mouthier-Haute-Pierre, Pontarlier, Jougne, Orbe and Cossonay, experiencing a quieter and more scenic side of the Via Francigena. The journey finishes in Lausanne, on the shores of Lake Geneva, marking an exciting milestone on the continuing pilgrimage towards Rome.

Inclusions

  • 7 nights’ accommodation in carefully selected hotels, guesthouses and pilgrim-friendly accommodation with private facilities where available
  • Daily luggage transfers between accommodations
  • Comprehensive route notes and navigation resources
  • Detailed pre-departure information pack
  • Expert local knowledge and 24-hour emergency assistance during your trip
  • Professional event organisation and itinerary planning

Exclusions:

  • Travel to the start and finish points of the trip
  • Lunches and evening meals
  • Personal insurance (for cancellation, accident, health, emergency evacuation and loss, theft of or damage to baggage and personal effects)
  • Airport transfers
  • Tourist taxes where applicable
  • Guiding services (available on request)

Optional extras

  • Single room supplement £100 per person per night (subject to availability)
  • Solo traveller supplement £100 per person per night
  • Odd group supplement £100 per group per night may apply if a single room is required.
  • Extra night prior to start (single room) £200 per person
  • Extra night prior to the start (twin room, needs 2 people) £100 per person
  • Extra night at the end of the event (single room) £200 per person
  • Extra night at the end of the event (twin room, needs 2 people) £100 per person

 

Please select from Optional Extras at checkout.

Getting there and back

Getting There:

The easiest way to reach Besançon is by train, with regular high-speed and regional services connecting the city with Paris, Dijon, Lyon and other major French cities. If travelling internationally, fly into Paris Charles de Gaulle or Paris Orly and continue by train to Besançon.

Besançon has two main railway stations, with Besançon-Viotte being the most convenient for reaching the city centre and starting your Via Francigena journey.

Getting Away:

Lausanne has excellent rail connections for onward travel. From Lausanne station, regular trains connect with Geneva, Zurich, Bern and other Swiss cities, while Geneva Airport provides convenient international connections for your journey home.

Evening meals and lunches

You can purchase evening meals either at the accommodation or nearby. When our event planners send you the schedule with itinerary you could prearrange directly with the accommodation or during the walk.

For lunches we would suggest bringing some of your own favourite snack bars and then asking the accommodation for a packed lunch for the following day and also supplementing that at stops en-route.

Accommodation

Accommodation is generally in a mixture of family-run hotels, guesthouses, rural inns and carefully selected pilgrim-friendly accommodation. Private ensuite facilities will be provided wherever possible, although in some smaller villages facilities may occasionally be shared.

Once your booking is confirmed, your event planner will provide details of your accommodation and discuss any preferences or special requirements.

Dog friendly

Due to accommodation restrictions and the logistics, this trip is generally not recommended for travellers with dogs.

 

Need a guide?

If you would prefer to have a guide for your walk, even just for one day, then we are happy to help. We can provide a qualified leader (also first aid qualified) to lead your trek or on just one of the sections. Just ask us.
A guide can not only take the stress out of navigation, but you will also find them a great asset in terms of providing an insight into all things environment and nature.

Dates and prices

For available dates please see the ‘build your trip’ option on the left hand side on desktops or at the bottom on mobiles. You can reserve your space via this route.

After you book

After placing your booking with us, you will in the first instance receive an automated email from our system confirming receipt of your reservation. If you don’t receive it, it is worth checking your spam/clutter folder.

In the process of placing your booking, you will generally set up an access password to our online gateway where you can review the details of the booking.

Your personal event planner will then be in touch with you to start to confirm the details. This contact will usually be taken up in the working day after receipt of your booking, but may, in busy times, take a little longer. The event planner will then liaise with you regarding the details of the course. If you have any specific requirements, please do mention it at this stage.

At the end of your trip

Unfortunately, all good things come to an end at some point. Luckily you have one of several options. If you have not booked additional tour plans have a look at our other offerings and extend your holiday.

You can arrange this as an optional add on with your adventure travel planner.

 

Book your adventure

Itinerary

  • Day 1 – Arrive in Besançon

    Arrive in the historic city of Besançon, the starting point for this section of your Via Francigena journey towards Lausanne. Settle into your accommodation and take some time to explore the old town and its impressive historic sights before your walk begins the following day.

     

  • Day 2 – Besançon to Foucherans

    Leave Besançon and follow the Via Francigena through the peaceful countryside of the Doubs. The route passes through woodland, farmland and small rural communities before reaching Foucherans.

    16 miles (26km) and 1840ft (560m) of ascent

  • Day 3 – Foucherans to Mouthier-Haute-Pierre

    Continue along the Via Francigena through the beautiful Doubs countryside, with a mix of woodland, farmland and quiet country lanes. The route becomes more scenic as you approach the dramatic landscapes surrounding Mouthier-Haute-Pierre.

    15 miles (25km) and 2130ft (650m) of ascent

  • Day 4 – Mouthier-Haute-Pierre to Pontarlier

    Continue through the spectacular Doubs countryside, with the route passing through wooded valleys, rolling hills and traditional villages. As you approach Pontarlier, the landscape opens into the high Jura plateau, marking your progress towards the Swiss border.

    17 miles (27km) and 2460ft (750m) of ascent

  • Day 5 – Pontarlier to Jougne

    Leave Pontarlier and continue south-east along the Via Francigena through the Jura landscapes towards the Swiss border. The route passes through forests, open countryside and the village of Les Fourgs before reaching Jougne, one of the final French stops on this stage.

    17 miles (27km) and 1870ft (570m) of ascent

     

  • Day 6 – Jougne to Orbe

    Cross into Switzerland and continue along the Via Francigena through the scenic Jura foothills. The route follows peaceful countryside and woodland before descending towards the historic town of Orbe.

    11 miles (18km) and 1280ft (390m) of ascent

  • Day 7 – Orbe to Cossonay

    Leave the historic town of Orbe and continue along the rolling landscapes of western Switzerland. The route passes through peaceful countryside, vineyards and traditional villages before reaching Cossonay, with its attractive old town overlooking the surrounding region.

    16 miles (25km) and 1480ft (450m) of ascent

  • Day 8 – Cossonay to Lausanne

    Your final walking day follows the Via Francigena from Cossonay towards Lausanne, passing through rolling countryside and peaceful villages. As you approach Lake Geneva, the route offers increasingly impressive views before descending into Lausanne and completing this stage of your pilgrimage.

    16 miles (25km) and 1580ft (480m) of ascent

Notes:

We will always endeavour to accommodate you in the locations detailed in the above itinerary. Due to very high demand, some accommodation providers may occasionally have limited availability and so we may need to accommodate you in an alternative location, nearby. In this case, we will arrange a taxi transfer for you to take you from the trail to your accommodation and back again the following morning. An additional charge may be payable. We will notify you of this when confirming your booking.

Please note: This itinerary is a guide only. Timings and mileages are approximate.

The Route
Reviews

Find some of the reviews our wonderful customers have left for us below, or read them all here!

Heather Parr
3 months ago

Maximum Adventure exceeded expectations, planning a trip for me last minute and off season through the glorious Lake District. The hotels were top rate, as was the food and my daily gluten free sandwich. Nathalie got the route guide sent to me in a couple of days and the baggage service was impeccable. It was the only tour guide company that responded immediately to my last minute request. Looking forward to more adventures with your company!!!

Chris Evans
3 months ago

David and I walked the Speyside Way in September 2023 and very much enjoyed the adventure. Maximum Adventure Ltd organised our nightly accommodation and uplifting of our luggage in a seamless manner, which made the whole trip so easy with no stress. This is the second time that I have personally used Maximum Adventures Ltd and I would recommend them to others as they offer a friendly and efficient service.

Göte Fredriksson
4 months ago

We realy appreciated the tour we did on Hadrians Wall path in May. Beautiful scenery, decent weather, god arrangements including lodging, transport, bagagehandling etc. We came well prepared . In this preparation Maximum adventures gave us great support, as we are coming from abroad with no knowledge of conditions on the path. We had great BnBs and could concentrate on de daily walks that gave us great pleasure. Thank you England and Hadrians Wall path for your friendly reception and well mantained walking path. Thank you Maximum Adventures for your good service. We would love to come back in the future.

Jerry Kashinski
4 months ago

Maximum Adventure did a great job for us. With less than a month's notice, it set up an itinerary, lodging and luggage porterage for a walk from Carlisle to Newcastle, England along Hadrian's Wall. The lodging was fantastic, as was the itinerary and support during the walk. We'd definitely use Maximum Adventure again and would recommend them without reservation!

Fiona Reilly
5 months ago

I was part of a climb on 23/09, didn't think I would make ut, but I did. The descent was a different story.. I got jelly legs and lost my confidence. If it wasn't for James, my Sherpa would never have made it. Can't thank him enough, Will, met you briefly. Both of them were very knowledgeable, we had the most amazing views at the summit...the pain is still worth it and

Tom Graham
5 months ago

I walked the West Highland Way with my dad and brother. The organisation was excellent by Samantha. Itinerary and instructions were clear and all the bookings and luggage transfers went smoothly. As a result we were able to ensure the fantastic walk and not worry about anything. I would happily recommend Maximum Adventure to others.

Sarah Bracken
5 months ago

Absolutely brilliant guide - knowledgeable, interesting and humorous in addition to looking after our safety so well - making sure we ate and suggesting when to layer up! Would highly recommend!

Diana Straub
6 months ago

We just got home from our 8-days Hadrian's Wall hike and we just loved it! Everything was perfectly organized! We had great B&Bs and hotels with very friendly, welcoming and helpful staff. Our favorite was the Dacre House with Clare. But then again, all were great! The luggage was always at the day's destination, no matter how early we got to the accommodation. The description of how to get to the accommodations were clear and precise. The road map and the guide book were waiting for us as we got to the first B&B and were very helpful and interesting Thanks, Maximum Adventure!

Kristin Hentschel
6 months ago

Praise for the West Highland Hike and the Maximum Adventure planners, esp. our planner Samantha. Great experience in every regard.

Simon Bradish
6 months ago

Booked for the 3 UK Peaks adventure, it was organised perfectly and everything when to plan. Accommodation was good, transport excellent, our guide (Patrick) brilliant, so cannot fault the trip and adventure. I personally expected too much from myself and was unable to fully summit as this adventure is not for beginners, I climbed Kilimanjaro in 2003 when I was 42 and twenty years later, although relatively fit, my endurance didn't last. So I did a half summit for Ben Nevis & Scafell, thanks to Patrick for letting go back down on my own, it was brilliant. With Snowdon, a half summit is tricky as you can't descend the way you go up, so I decided to do some hiking in the area while the rest of the group did the climb. I took a chance and went to the ticket office and managed to get a single return ticket up to the summit of Snowdon at 9am which returned down by 11.30am. I was hoping to see my group on top and spring a surprise but the weather was terrible. I highly recommend the trip but make sure you are fit enough otherwise as there is an emphasis on time, so a slow walk up is going to slow everyone down and really delay the trip. Have Fun, Simon Bradish

Why book with us

We know you have a choice of companies providing trips for your next adventures. Here are some of the reasons you should choose to travel with Maximum Adventure:

  • We are an established adventure travel business
  • We have been trading since 2002
  • We are financially protected in accordance with the 1992 travel regulation
  • Knowledgeable and available office staff
  • Qualified leaders and guides with ascents ranging from Ben Nevis to Mount Everest
  • All activities are risk assessed
  • We will provide you with the best service available
  • We are aware this is your holiday/your challenge and will do our best to make it an enjoyable and rewarding experience
  • We have many repeat clients stretching back over a number of years
20+ years adventure organisation experience
Full liability & financial protection
Leading provider of high quality adventure challenges
Great team of staff to support you

You may also like...