10. 610 France (5/8)
Normandie et Seine
Normandie et Seine - Amis saint Colomban
Bretagne

10. 610 France (5/8)

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2720km long in France, the route of Colomban's exile in 610 is divided into 8 parts, which can be followed successively or indistinctly. This fifth part of a particularly winding itinerary goes back up towards the north-east and the Seine through the regions of Brittany and Normandy.
Around 610, expelled from Luxeuil, Saint Colomban and the Irish monks were taken to Nantes under the guard of armed soldiers who were in charge of taking them on a ship to Ireland. But, barely on board, they managed to escape and, fearing that they would be caught, began an incredible journey through many countries. Most of the journey into exile takes place in France from East to West and then back again after Nantes. The itinerary mainly follows the great rivers and the vineyards often planted on their banks while crossing the historic cities that mark them out.

14 steps

Description

These two successive crossings of France are not the most direct way to reach the Swiss border to the east of Luxeuil, only 110km away. But they do reflect the strong image of a strong-willed Columban who had left Ireland for good with no desire to return.

The fifth part (5/8) consists of 14 stages, each averaging 24km per day:

  1. Vitré - le Bourgneuf-la-Forêt
  2. le Bourgneuf-la-Forêt - Chailland
  3. Chailland - Mayenne
  4. Mayenne - Villaines-la-Juhel
  5. Villaines-la-Juhel - Pré-en-Pail
  6. Pré-en-Pail - Alençon
  7. Alençon - Sées
  8. Sées - Exmés
  9. Exmés - Vimoutiers
  10. Vimoutiers - Lisieux
  11. Lisieux - Cormeilles
  12. Cormeilles - Pont-Audemer
  13. Pont-Audemer - Notre Dame de Gravenchon
  14. Notre Dame de Gravenchon - St Wandrille
  • Departure : 35500 Vitré
  • Arrival : 76490 Saint-Wandrille-Rançon
  • Towns crossed : Bretagne, Pays de la Loire, and Normandie

Altimetric profile

Access and parking

Vitré is accessible by bus and train.
Saint-Wandrille-Rançon is accessible by bus only.

Parking :

Luxeuil

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