Nécropole nationale (Sillery-Bellevue) walks

Twenty-third stage of the Jura to Hauts-de-France via the Francigena. Following the Marne-Aisne Canal, you leave the Champagne vineyards and the Reims mountains behind to arrive in Reims and its Notre-Dame Cathedral. As you cross Reims, there is a wealth of heritage to discover: the cathedral, of course, but also the Basilica of Saint Remi, Gallo-Roman ruins and engravings by Albrecht Dürer. You then leave this beautiful city behind and continue through vineyards and forests towards the Massif de Saint-Thierry, one of the four Champagne production areas.

This hike will take you across the Montagne de Reims along beautiful paths with almost no tarmac. Much of it is marked by the Randonneurs & pèlerins 51 association. You will meet walkers from all over the world, especially Holland and Belgium. The outward or return journey is by TER train between Aÿ station and Rilly-la-Montagne station, where you can park for free. It is accessible from Paris either by TER via Epernay or by TGV via Reims.

This is a lovely 21 km hike through vineyards and forests. It follows theGR®141(the old Roman road Via Campaniensis) and theGR®14, which makes it relatively easy to follow. There is no return to the starting point. Leave your cars at Avenay-Val-d'Or station and return by TER train from Rilly-la-Montagne. Although you are following the Camino de Santiago, it is wonderfully peaceful. During the week, apart from one or two foresters, you will only encounter deer.