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Via Francigena Switzerland
Pontarlier to Grand St.Bernard

Ballaigues to
Orbe

15th May 2025

An interesting walk down the Orbe gorge,
past the remains of a medieval village.

16.5 km





THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS!

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We arrived by bus back where we had left off previously, and went to the Commune Office to collect stamp for our pilgrim pass. After pausing to survey the anti-tank barriers, we headed down to the river gorge. This started as a bit of a scramble, but as we headed downstream the river got wider, and the paths easier. We came across a section of canal (probably used previously for hydro-electric power) which was now used for fishing, with nets covering it to presumably keep the birds off. At times, the path went through tunnels carved through the cliffs. We came to the small hamlet of Les Clées, where we had a drink and dessert in the local hotel. The town had once been a major place due to the bridge over the gorge, with warehouses for toll goods, shops, inns, and a castle on the rock above. Now, there were only vestiges of its former glory. Continuing on along the river bank, we passed through open woodland, a modern hydroelectric scheme, finaly to arrive at Orbe.

Pilgrim stamps
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Location of photos

Location of photos on our route



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