Highlights
- Clairvaux Abbey site
- Saint Bernard's legacy
- Dense forests
- Medieval landscape
Stage conditions
| Section | France |
|---|---|
| Water on route | Moderate |
| Shade | Full |
Practical notes
Getting there and away
Bar-sur-Aube station, on the Paris-Est–Belfort line, is the start: TER Grand Est trains via Troyes and Chaumont, plus TER coaches. Clairvaux, in the commune of Ville-sous-la-Ferté, has no station and no bus we could confirm, so plan to walk through or return to Bar-sur-Aube by taxi. The abbey site is a former prison and access is limited, so do not count on the abbey for help with transport.
What the season does
April to October, fully shaded in forest. The LightFoot guide describes a very steep climb into the Clairvaux forest on the outskirts of Bar-sur-Aube, rewarded by a view over the Aube valley; do it in the cool of the morning in summer. Autumn colour in the forest is fine, but the hunting season, from mid-September to the end of February, makes weekdays preferable. Winter walking here means short days and few open beds.
Safety on this stage
The stage data notes the abbey site is a prison with limited access; stay on the public roads around it. The steep climb out of Bar-sur-Aube is hard with a heavy pack. Forest tracks are good but the LightFoot guide warns that accommodation between Clairvaux and Langres is limited with substantial distances between options, so plan your nights before you set off. Hunting season: bright clothing, marked tracks.
Water and food
Water is moderate. Bar-sur-Aube is the last town with a full range of shops before Langres, three stages away, so buy for two days here. The vineyard and forest sections have no fountains and no cafés; the LightFoot guide describes good tracks through the vines and the Clairvaux forest with nothing to buy on the way. Clairvaux is a hamlet against the abbey walls with a hotel-restaurant and little else, so eat where you sleep and carry breakfast for the forest stage to Châteauvillain.
Where pilgrims sleep
Our directory lists the Hôtel-Restaurant de l'Abbaye at Clairvaux. The abbey's own site mentions the Via Francigena passing but does not offer beds, and the religious welcome that once existed here is not something to count on: check the FFVF booklet for any current host in Ville-sous-la-Ferté. With one hotel and a long stage to Châteauvillain ahead, book before leaving Bar-sur-Aube.
Sources: Wikipédia — Gare de Bar-sur-Aube · Abbaye de Clairvaux — À découvrir à proximité · LightFoot Guide to the Via Francigena, Canterbury to Besançon (PDF, 2014 edition) · FFRandonnée — Via Francigena 'Hébergements et Services' · Le Montagnard — Calendrier chasse France 2025-2026
Common questions
How long is the Bar-sur-Aube to Clairvaux stage?
It is 20.0 km (12.4 mi) and takes about 5.5 hours of walking, from Bar-sur-Aube to Clairvaux.
How hard is Bar-sur-Aube to Clairvaux?
It is rated moderate with 300 m of ascent and 270 m of descent over forest terrain.
Is there water on the Bar-sur-Aube to Clairvaux stage?
There is a moderate amount of water along this stage — carry enough between resupply points.
How do I get to Bar-sur-Aube and away from Clairvaux?
Bar-sur-Aube station, on the Paris-Est–Belfort line, is the start: TER Grand Est trains via Troyes and Chaumont, plus TER coaches. Clairvaux, in the commune of Ville-sous-la-Ferté, has no station and no bus we could confirm, so plan to walk through or return to Bar-sur-Aube by taxi. The abbey site is a former prison and access is limited, so do not count on the abbey for help with transport.
Where do pilgrims sleep in Clairvaux?
Our directory lists the Hôtel-Restaurant de l'Abbaye at Clairvaux. The abbey's own site mentions the Via Francigena passing but does not offer beds, and the religious welcome that once existed here is not something to count on: check the FFVF booklet for any current host in Ville-sous-la-Ferté. With one hotel and a long stage to Châteauvillain ahead, book before leaving Bar-sur-Aube.
Walk this stage
Open the full stage list to plan the legs either side, browse heritage along the route, or get the free Via Francigena Walk app for offline maps and GPS on the trail.