Photo: Basilica of Sainte Marie Madeleine
September 4, 2017 When I took my seat for the flight from Washington DC to Paris, I was asked by a Columbian to change seats so he could sit with his friend. I agreed and moved to his seat. I slept very little on the flight. About 5 AM the passengers were woken up and a small breakfast was served. The two Columbians walked down the aisle and filmed the plane interior with what appeared to be a large video camera. Their activity becomes more bizarre as they both go into the toilet together with the camera. After a few minutes they exit. The United crew looks baffled but does nothing.
Our plane landed early, about 6:30 AM. I planned on traveling to Vezelay today, and I expected to take the 12:39 PM train from Gare Bercy. But with the early arrival, I thought there was a small chance I could catch the 8:39 AM train.
After I got thru passport control with my carry-on backpack I was able to exit the security area and soon found the RER-B train to Paris. I took the RER-B to downtown Paris, then changed metro trains to get to Bercy. After a few minutes walking the streets, I found the entrance to the Gare Bercy and got in line to buy a ticket for Vezelay. By the time I got the ticket, there were only a few minutes until the 8:39 AM train left. I ran to the platform and got on the train with about a minute to spare.
After the train to Auxerre and then two buses, I was in Vezelay before noon. On the bus, I met a French man also headed to Vezelay to walk a pilgrim route. He was on a pilgrimage to Assisi, Italy. I stayed at the Center St Madeleine, along with 17 others. Some were taking the north or south Vezelay route, and a few for Assisi.
To be able to stay at the pilgrim refuge's or gite's, a pilgrim passport or credencial is presented to the lodging manager. The lodging manager stamps the credencial with their unique stamp. See below for partial view of my french credencial.
Photo: Basilica of Sainte Marie Madeleine
September 4, 2017 cont. Thankfully, I was able to get cash from the Postal Bank ATM in Vezelay, the only ATM I saw. I enjoyed sightseeing around the village. I needed to buy some food for the next day lunch, but the only grocery store was closed. Vezelay abbey dates back to the 9th century. It is believed to hold relics of Mary Magdalene.
Had dinner at local restaurant and talked to two Netherlands men. One had walked the Camino de Santiago over 40 years before when there was little infrastructure support and no other pilgrims.
I was thankful to have a guidebook of the Voie de Vezelay from Miam Miam Dodo. Though it is in french it is easy to follow.
Credencial stamp of gite:
Photo: Near Vezelay abbey church
Photo: Inside Basilica of Sainte Marie Madeleine
Photo: Vezelay on main street
Photo: Vezelay on main street
Map of camino segment
Map of camino trip
