Highlights
- Notre-Dame-de-Lorette national necropolis
- Ring of Remembrance memorial
- Dolmen of Fresnicourt-le-Dolmen
- Château de Ranchicourt
Stage conditions
| Section | France |
|---|---|
| Water on route | Abundant |
| Shade | Partial |
Practical notes
Getting there and away
Bruay-la-Buissière itself has no station; Béthune, about ten kilometres away, is the nearest, with trains to Lille, Arras and Lens. Ablain-Saint-Nazaire has no station either: the nearest are the Liévin halt and Bully-Grenay station, each about 6 km away.
What the season does
April to October, partial shade. Summer heat builds on the tarmac of the pit villages; in the shoulder months the open farmland between them is windy and wet. Our directory has no bed at the stage end yet, so arrange the night before you set out, especially in July and August, as the Confraternity advises for all of France. Hunting season, from mid-September, affects the field sections only.
Safety on this stage
The stage notes warn of urban walking through mining towns. Town sections mean pavements, roundabouts and busy junctions rather than paths; use crossings and be visible at dusk if you finish late. On the rural sections you are on farm tracks and D-roads; walk facing traffic. Notre-Dame-de-Lorette is a war cemetery: keep to the paths and respect the site.
Water and food
Water is abundant thanks to the string of towns: bars, bakeries and supermarkets appear regularly in the coal-basin villages. The gaps are the open farmland stretches between towns, so top up whenever you pass a shop. Ablain-Saint-Nazaire is a small village, so carry what you need for the evening.
Where pilgrims sleep
Our directory has no listing in Ablain-Saint-Nazaire yet, nor within 5 km of it. The village is the official end of this stage; check the FFVF booklet for current pilgrim hosts and ring ahead. The next beds we list are in Arras, at the end of the next stage, 21.6 km further on.
Sources: Wikipedia — Bruay-la-Buissière · La Via Francigena en France (FFVF) — Haltes Spiritualitas in Francigenam · Le Montagnard — Calendrier chasse France 2025-2026
Common questions
How long is the Bruay-la-Buissière to Ablain-Saint-Nazaire stage?
It is 24.2 km (15.0 mi) and takes about 6.5 hours of walking, from Bruay-la-Buissière to Ablain-Saint-Nazaire.
How hard is Bruay-la-Buissière to Ablain-Saint-Nazaire?
It is rated easy with 406 m of ascent and 363 m of descent over mixed terrain.
Is there water on the Bruay-la-Buissière to Ablain-Saint-Nazaire stage?
Water is abundant along this stage.
How do I get to Bruay-la-Buissière and away from Ablain-Saint-Nazaire?
Bruay-la-Buissière itself has no station; Béthune, about ten kilometres away, is the nearest, with trains to Lille, Arras and Lens. Ablain-Saint-Nazaire has no station either: the nearest are the Liévin halt and Bully-Grenay station, each about 6 km away.
Where do pilgrims sleep in Ablain-Saint-Nazaire?
Our directory has no listing in Ablain-Saint-Nazaire yet, nor within 5 km of it. The village is the official end of this stage; check the FFVF booklet for current pilgrim hosts and ring ahead. The next beds we list are in Arras, at the end of the next stage, 21.6 km further on.
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.