How to get to Vézelay and Le Chemin?

There are several ways to travel to Vézelay, depending on how you begin your journey. Below you’ll find an overview of the main options.

Traveling by public transport

For many pilgrims, traveling by train or bus is the most practical, as you don’t have to return to your car after your journey.

To Paris

  • Train: including Thalys from Amsterdam/Rotterdam/Antwerp/Brussels → Paris Nord
  • Bus: including Flixbus and BlaBlaBus to Paris Bercy-Seine

From Paris Nord you can easily travel to Paris Bercy, either on foot (± 1 km), by metro (line 14) or via a longer city walk.

From Paris to Vézelay / Le Chemin

  • Train: From Paris Bercy towards Auxerre / Avallon
  • Get off at Sermizelles–Vézelay
  • From there, continue by local bus (LR 505) to Vézelay.
    Note: reservations are sometimes required on weekends.

Alternatives from the station

  • On foot: there are access routes from Sermizelles to Vézelay
    Taxi: among others
    – Cyril Taxis – Vézelay
    – Annette Devry Taxis – Sermizelles
    – Carlos Taxi – Givry

Traveling by car

If you are travelling with several people or are doing a tour such as the Tour de Vézelay, a car is often the most convenient option.

Two main options from the Netherlands/Belgium

  1. Via Paris → A6 towards Dijon → exit 20 (Auxerre) or 21 (Nitry)
  2. Via Reims – Troyes – Tonnerre – Nitry (avoiding Paris)

From Nitry (exit 21) you drive inland via quiet D-roads to Vézelay and Le Chemin.

Parking in Vézelay

  • Paid parking approx. €12 per week
  • For longer periods, a card is available at the town hall.
  • Alternative: parking space at a campsite (‘garage mort’, ± €2–3 per day)

Sustainable travel

According to Milieu Centraal, the CO₂ impact is as follows (low → high):

  1. Train or long-distance buses
  2. Car with several people
  3. Car with several people

Pilgrimage Office in Vézelay

The pilgrim office is a great place to start your journey: for information, route advice, and a pilgrim stamp.

  • Addresse: 24, Rue Saint Pierre, Vézelay
  • Phone: +33 (0)3 86 32 38 11
  • Opening hours:
    • Mid-April – end of September: daily
    • March 15 – mid-April & end of September – October 15: Friday morning to Monday evening
    • 9:30–12:30 & 2:00–7:00 PM

Tips for the road

  • Be alert for pickpockets in Paris, especially in busy stations and on the metro.
  • Timetables can be found via SNCF, Flixbus, and local bus services.
  • The walking route from Paris Nord to Paris Bercy (8 km) is a nice navigation-free alternative to the metro.