Vezelay or Arle Route?

[BobM]

I am looking to walk either the Vezelay or Arles routes in July. I was hoping to walk part of the Via Francigena to Besancon with a towed cart to carry extra food and camping gear, but the cart option is not really viable for me after some trials. So now I am looking at other routes so I can walk with a small pack (9kg max, incl food).

Which route is better for daily stages of about 25km max? If anyone would be kind enough to share their daily stages I would be grateful.

Which route has better facilities for buying food each day? I prefer not to have to carry food for 2 days. I had to carry extra food a couple of times over weekends on the Le Puy route and the extra weight made a difference.

I am assuming water is equally available on both routes.

Regards

Bob M

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Miam Miam Dodo has a book on the Arles route, so you can get details on stages there.

Amis et Pelerins de Saint-Jacques de la voie de Vezelay has an excellent guide book in French:
1. Vezelay - Varzy - 35.3km
2. La Charite-sur-Loire - 44.7
3. Baugy - 30.3
4. Bourges - 29.0
5. Charost - 26.0
6. Issoudun - 13.0
7. Deols - 32.0
8. Velles - 20.2
9. Argenton - 21.3
10. Gargilesse - 13.0
11. Crozant - 19.0
12. La Souterraine - 24.5
13. Benevent l'Abbaye - 21.0
14. Chatelus le Marcheix - 18.5
15. Saint Leonard de Noblat - 29.5
16. Limoges - 21.5
17. Les Cars - 31.0
18. La Cozuille - 27.0
19. Thiviers - 18.5
20. Sorges - 17.5
21. Perigueux - 24.0
22. Saint Astier - 26.0
23. Mussidan - 24.0
24. Sainte Foy la Grande - 34.0
25. Pellegrue-Saint Ferme - 25.0
26. La Reole - 20.0
27. Bazas - 27.0
28. Captieux - 21.0
29. Roquefort - 33.0
30. Mont de Marsan - 31.1
31. Saint Sever - 21.4
32. Hagetmau - 17.0
33. Orthez - 28.2
34. Sauveterre de Bearn - 24.0
35. Saint-Palais - Ostabat - 26.0
36. Saint Jean Pied de Port - 21.5

There are intermediate stopping places in a few of the long stages. Gites are often only 4 beds. In many places you stay in homes, and need to call several days in advance to arrange the accommodations. Cooking facilities can be minimal.

I have walked the Arles route only from Toulouse. Descriptions are of a fairly tough route from Arles to Toulouse. From Toulouse, the Arles route is not too demanding until the Pyrenees. The Vezelay route is never particularly demanding except for the length of some of the stages. The food was excellent on both. Scenery-wise, Arles may be a bit better, but the Vezelay route is very woodsy.