Via Romea Francigena - Haut de France part Calais - Roubaix

French part of Euro Vélo 5: the Via Romea Francigena

In the Hauts-de-France, Euro Vélo 5 – The Via Romea Francigena This is not just a cycle path: it's a journey through history, landscapes, and memory. Inspired by the great pilgrimage route linking Canterbury to Rome and then Brindisi, this European cycle route unfolds its path here in the Pas-de-Calais, before continuing north, Lille and BelgiumIn this area, the route covers nearly 220 km in the two departments, including several sections already marked between Calais, Audruicq, Saint-Omer, Aire-sur-la-Lys, Béthune, Bruay-la-Buissière, Lens and Meurchin then towards Lille and Roubaix.

The route is appealing because of its variety. From Calais, the maritime gateway to England, the bike heads towards Guînes, Ardres and Audruicq between marshes, canals and quiet little roads. Further on, Saint-Omer marks a major stop with its cathedral, its wide squares and the charm of the Audomarois marsh. Towards Aire-sur-la-Lys, Wardrecques and Béthune, The atmosphere becomes river-like, ideal for a family outing or a stop on an e-bike tour. It is advisable to consult the EuroVelo 5 La Via Romea Francigena map to identify the sections that have been developed and those still under study.

The great originality of this section lies in its passage through the Mining basin, UNESCO World Heritage site: around Bruay-la-Buissière, the Olhain departmental park, Liévin and LensThe route transforms former industrial landscapes into gentle, green, and cultural corridors. Louvre-LensThe slag heaps, mining towns and towpaths give this stage a unique character.

In terms of connections, EuroVelo 5 crosses or extends several major routes: EuroVelo 4 in Calais, the Lys cycle route towards Saint-Venant, the greenway of the Aire canal and the routes of the Mining Basin, opening up beautiful loops between heritage, nature and soft mobility.