It had been a long time since the Haut-Beaujolais mountains had seen pilgrims walk for several days without eating. This unusual event took place from April 29 to May 3, 2019. Where pilgrims who did not believe in God but in life set out, not for a holy land, but for better health.

Geoffrey, Anne, Christian, Agnès, Jérôme, Florence, Mickaël, and Marine, aged 26 to 60 and coming from all corners of France (and even Germany) gathered at my place in Gibles (71) on April 28, the day before departure. All driven by the desire to discover the charms of Brionnais and Haut-Beaujolais in minimalist attire, with just a few kilos of gear on their backs to camp. An ultra-light trek made possible by the absence of food, which frees movement and temporarily liberates from the constraint of eating.

After a collective castor oil purge taken on the morning of departure, we set off into the cool fog towards St Cyr (771 m), the highest point in Southern Burgundy, where a journalist from the Journal de Saône-et-Loire awaited us. For we live in a strange time where it is enough to humbly do what one is genetically programmed to do to make it into the newspaper. It was time for the first abandonment. The 18% slopes of St Cyr had exhausted Anne, who was dropped off at my place by the journalist to continue fasting in more comfortable conditions.

The remaining 8 participants are motivated and in good shape, we continue smoothly on the GR 7 towards Mont Saint-Rigaud. With about 35 km for 800m of positive elevation, it is the most demanding stage of the journey but not the most exhausting thanks to our state of freshness. Just before reaching the summit of Saint-Rigaud (1009 m), we drink from the so-called “miraculous” water source where there are about a hundred makeshift crosses made of branches taken from the site, as tradition dictates for wishes to come true. We then set up camp at the foot of the belvedere, where, in ancient times, the Romans had erected an altar to Jupiter.

Up there, the night is cool (3°C) and few have slept well, but the morning laughter testifies to the strength of the group and the walk quickly warms us up. We take advantage of a clearing in the underbrush to shower under the waterfall before resuming the GR 7. With the significant elevation, the first signs of fatigue appear and we shorten the stage after only 25 km. We then camp in a meadow with a magnificent view of the Azergues valley and practice kirtan kriya meditation facing our God: the Sun!

The next day, on the 3rd day, we visit the largest Douglas firs in Europe located in the municipality of Claveisolles, right next to two small ponds. It is the most beautiful day of the trek, sunny with 18°C in the afternoon, but an 8 km ascent with 500m of positive elevation is a tough blow for the group, which multiplies stops. Nevertheless, we all arrive together at the ridge line where we take a break in the sun to recharge our batteries and dry tents and sleeping bags. As we descend towards the lake of the Pines, I sense discomfort in the group and Mickaël, who interviews them one by one for a report, confirms it to me. We still manage to cover 30 km during the day to camp on the shores of the lake of the Pines.

An evening circle of words is necessary and we redefine the program. I promise that the stages will now be shorter and less arduous, moreover, we will return earlier than planned due to the snow forecast for the end of the week. Everyone seems to agree, but the next day, wherever we go, Beaujolais remains steep and the accumulated fatigue takes over. So, in the middle of the day, Geoffrey, Marine, Florence, and Christian decide to stop and get transported back to my place. They have just completed about 110 km fasting, which is already quite something for a first time! But, at that moment, I see the glass half empty and it affects my morale. Especially since the weather is worsening and forecasts confirm the arrival of snow for Saturday. Of the 4 “survivors,” we then unanimously decide to return on Friday evening.

That very evening, the cool drizzle combined with the wind prompts us to find better shelter than our tent. Fortunately, we find an abandoned sheepfold and sleep in the straw, which amuses all four of us and turns out to be very comfortable. The sweetest of nights, in fact. In the early morning, we quickly cover the last kilometers to be back home in the afternoon. We could all four continue, but this 5-day group experience has already been a beautiful adventure and no one wishes to continue under the snow… So we simply decide to extend the fast by one day and only resume eating the next day with vegetable juices.

Although it unfolded differently than I had hoped, I greatly enjoyed this walk with strangers who became friends in just a few days. We laughed and all learned from each other. It was a richly rewarding experience. And then, I would even say especially!, this contact with people willing to change themselves and act (not just talk!) for a better world warmed my heart.

So, “Hunger” (haha!) for the story? No, because I hope instead that this is just the beginning… I wish to lead other groups of fasting trekkers in Beaujolais, and, for his part, Mickaël wishes to do the same in the Vosges.

To learn more about this first edition, read this interview with Mickaël Sondag.

Please note: this video is currently in French, but you can activate YouTube’s auto-generated subtitles in English while we work on providing a dedicated English version.