France walking vacation highlights
The word for ‘hike’ in French is randonner, and throughout the country there is a network of long distance, waymarked trails known as the Grandes Randonnees, or GR (pronounced Jay-Err). French hikers will always refer to the GR10, for example, which traverses the Pyrenees, the GR50 and GR54 in the Parc National des Écrins, or the GR52 through the Alpes Maritimes in the Mercantour National Park. Consequently, there is a super impressive infrastructure that has grown around the GRs and other trails, many based on ancient shepherd routes or hunting domains. Whether it is through the alpine wonders of Mont Blanc or Haute Savoie, the Pyrenean promeneurs’ paradise or ancient woodlands of the Poitou-Charentes, France walking vacation highlights are many and varied.
Our France walking Vacations
Guided walking vacations in the French Alps
Guided walking from a historic chalet base
From
£829
8 days
ex flights
Self guided walking vacation in France
Idyllic walking in France with great food, wine and ambience
From
€1000 to €1110
6 days
ex flights
French Alps self guided walking vacation
Chalet based, self guided walking vacation in the French Alps
From
£629
8 days
ex flights
Mont Blanc vacation, Tour du Mont Blanc
The best of the Tour du Mont Blanc
From
US $1649 to US $1879
8 days
ex flights
French Riviera vacation, walking, culture & cooking option
Experience real French culture while relaxing mindfully...
From
€450 to €1080
4 days
ex flights
France hiking vacation, French Riviera
Stunning walking between the Mercantour and the Med, France
From
€1295
8 days
ex flights
Mont Blanc Circuit hiking vacation
Probably the most dramatic walk in Europe
From
US $2249 to US $2349
15 days
ex flights
Pyrenees guided walking vacation
Walking& trekking vacations with qualified Mountain Leaders
From
£870 to £985
8 days
ex flights
Snowshoeing in the French Alps
Snowshoeing in the Alps with a high mountain guide
From
€1259
8 days
ex flights
Mercantour National Park self guided walking, France
Value center based self guided walking - Mercantour, France
From
€915
8 days
ex flights
Mercantour family hiking vacation, France
Family walking tour with a donkey in Southern French Alps
From
€575 to €675
7 days
ex flights
Mont Blanc climbing vacation
The exhilaration of summiting an alpine peak
From
US $3690 to US $3800
8 days
ex flights
Highlights of Provence walking vacation, France
A guided walking vacation through beautiful regions of France
From
US $1949 to US $2249
8 days
ex flights
Walking vacation in France, Mercantour Reflections
Magic walking - Mercantour National Park - South of France
From
€995
8 days
ex flights
Mont Blanc walking vacation
A stunning walk through the Alps around Mont Blanc
From
US $1150
7 days
ex flights
Mout Blanc climbing vacation, France
Climb Western Europe's highest peak
From
US $2849 to US $2949
8 days
inc UK flights
Accommodation in the Mercantour, France
Beautifully located gite in the Mercantour, France
From
€518
7 days
per accommodation per week
Mont Blanc Circuit trek, with hotel accommodation
Classic Tour, using small inns and guesthouses
From
US $4049 to US $4279
15 days
ex flights
Provence walking tour, France
A superb walking vacation exploring the best of Provence
From
€1250
8 days
ex flights
French Riviera vacation food, walking & culture
Experience real French culture while relaxing mindfully...
From
€450 to €1080
7 days
ex flights
Family walking vacations with a donkey, France
Above the Rhône to discover the unspoilt traditional Ardèche
From
€660 to €730
7 days
ex flights
French Riviera walking vacation, France
Relaxed mountain and coastal daywalks
From
US $1799 to US $2099
8 days
ex flights
Hiking in the Ardeche, France
- Go Hiking in the beautiful Cevennes landscapes.
From
£595 to £695
7 days
ex flights
Mercantour center-based walking vacation, French Alps
Multiactivities for family, French Alps, ecolodge and yurt,
From
€599 to €676
7 days
ex flights
Alsace self guided walking vacation in France
Alsace's Route des Vins and Vosges National Park
From
£1485 to £1525
9 days
inc UK flights
Tour du Mont Blanc self guided walking tour
The walking is challenging, but with amazing views
From
US $2649
12 days
ex flights
French Alps guided walking vacations
Challenging walking vacation in the Haute Savoie region of the French Alps
From
£829
8 days
ex flights
5 guided walking vacation in France">Alpine GR 5 guided walking vacation in France
The mythical "Grande Traversée des Alpes"
From
€1185
9 days
ex flights
French Alps hiking and mountaineering vacation
A mountaineering début with three alpine summits in a week
From
€1355
7 days
ex flights
1. Alps
2. Burgundy
3. Dordogne
4. Ecrins NP
5. French Pyrenees
6. Haute Savoie
7. Loire Valley
8. Mercantour NP
9. Mont Blanc
10. Poitou-Charentes
11. Provence
12. Riviera
2. Burgundy
3. Dordogne
4. Ecrins NP
5. French Pyrenees
6. Haute Savoie
7. Loire Valley
8. Mercantour NP
9. Mont Blanc
10. Poitou-Charentes
11. Provence
12. Riviera
Alps
1. Alps
To describe the French Alps invites every conceivable superlative: titanic peaks, ice-white glaciers and sparkling sapphire lakes, but to see them first hand will leave you speechless. The Giffre Valley, an exciting almost eerie terrain of towering cracked limestone cliffs sits beside champagne Chamonix, the iconic backdrop to 007’s stunt-tastic ski chase; a wonderland of adventure.
Burgundy
2. Burgundy
If verdant rolling hills bedecked with vineyards, walking from hotel to hotel, feast to feast, appeals, then Burgundy reigns. Many walking trips start in Auxerre, a picturesque, historic town close to a classic ‘Wine and Cheese route’ and connect with a section of the iconic Santiago de Compostela. Further epicurean delights follow as you pass Chablis, jewel in the crown of the famous “Chemin des Grands Crus”.
Dordogne
3. Dordogne
A patchwork of countryside studded with traditional chateaus, Renaissance buildings and the lush meadows that line the banks of its eponymous river (just one of seven). It has a ruddy-cheeked, earthy and reassuring charm about it. It’s known for its fascinating prehistoric cave art and rich, gourmet treasures. To walk here is to journey through a massive chapter of France’s history and living culture.
Ecrins NP
4. Ecrins NP
France has 10 national parks and this is one of the largest, a whopping 918km² criss-crossed by steep narrow valleys and centuries-old smuggler’s footpaths, which combined add up to first-class hiking grounds. Less crowded than majestic Mont Blanc, but as much of a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts, whether you are going for the full on climbing vacation or just a mountainous trek.
French Pyrenees
5. French Pyrenees
A bit like an edgy cousin of the Alps, the Pyrenees has a rougher beauty than its loftier counterpart, but is still a snow-capped Shangri-La for walkers. It’s Cirque de Gavarnie, a beautiful bowl-shaped hollow, was described by Victor Hugo, as a ‘coliseum of nature’, with its Grande Cascade, one of Europe’s highest waterfalls, a crowning jewel. It’s collection of isolated valleys make for superb snowshoeing too.
Haute Savoie
6. Haute Savoie
The land of pretty Alpine chalets, with walking trails straight out the front door, such as the Haut Giffre, with over 900km of trails alone. Although you’re not walking on the mother massif of Mont Blanc, you have splendid views across to it. There are cable car lifts up to high ridges, lake swimming galore, and glacial gorgeousness throughout, such as the natural amphitheatre, Bout du Monde valley.
Loire Valley
7. Loire Valley
Nothing like a beautiful castle at the end of a rollicking ramble. Welcome to the Loire’s sky-high turrets that call out across expansive plains, highlighting the beauty of the Loire’s very noble past. Its paysan culture is also tangible as you hike along the “Le Chemin aux Boeufs”, the ancient cattle route to Paris. Or the ancient washhouse in medieval Fougères-sur-Bièvre. A highlight of any hike. As is the wine.
Mercantour NP
8. Mercantour NP
Take a mountain train into the other worldly wonders of the Alpes Maritimes and Alpes de Haute Provence, all part of the relatively unknown Mercantour National Park. A popular area for walking with donkeys to carry your bags, you follow in the steps of shepherds who still do the same, along waymarked ways through ancient forest, up rocky inclines, and along icy river valleys.
Mont Blanc
9. Mont Blanc
The highest peak in Western Europe, it has seven main valleys feeding off it inviting some of the world’s finest hiking. It’s covered in snow and ice all year round so, although ascent trips are available, most people hike the Tour de Mont Blanc, a 170km lower level circuit taking you through France, Switzerland and Italy. Because Mont Blanc is a tripartite triumph of nature.
Poitou-Charentes
10. Poitou-Charentes
Easy to reach by TGV from Paris, this is the France that French hikers know about, with mild weather, ancient woodland trails, and classy guesthouses. The Pays de Gâtine area, in particular, is exquisite escapism with typical rural scenes, be it ancient farmland, orchid-filled woodland, blissful Beugnon Lake or medieval villages. And a plethora of local wine, toasting fields fecund with local produce.
Provence
11. Provence
The Provencal cliché: wafting lavender; stone villages; smiling people sipping wine. It exists, and it is wonderful, but the region is actually very diverse. Discover the limestone escarpments of the Luberon, the Verdon Gorges canyons, the turquoise Lac Sainte Croix or the pine forests leading up to the dustily dramatic Plateau de Vaucluse. And everywhere, Provencal produce to wine and dine upon.
Riviera
12. Riviera
Walking on the Riviera is the best way to get to know the real Med, maritime and mountain cultures which segue so smoothly here. Hike inland along the lower slopes of the Alpes Maritimes, not pushing up peaks all the time but strolling from one stunning village to another. Or take on stunning headland walks such as the Cap Martin Peninsula or around Menton.
Our top France walking Vacation
Guided walking vacations in the French Alps
Guided walking from a historic chalet base
From
£829
8 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2020: 6 Jun, 13 Jun, 20 Jun, 27 Jun, 4 Jul, 11 Jul, 18 Jul, 25 Jul, 1 Aug, 8 Aug, 15 Aug, 22 Aug, 29 Aug, 5 Sep
2020: 6 Jun, 13 Jun, 20 Jun, 27 Jun, 4 Jul, 11 Jul, 18 Jul, 25 Jul, 1 Aug, 8 Aug, 15 Aug, 22 Aug, 29 Aug, 5 Sep
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about France walking or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL’S SUPPLIERS RECOMMEND
Peter Roche, co-founder of our supplier, Le Moulin du Chemin, shares his top France walking vacation highlights: “For walkers who enjoy seeing birds, ‘Bocage’ in the Pay de Gâtine in Poitou-Charentes, especially May and June, is recommended, when nesting birds are at their most active. Mixed countryside with woods, small cultivated fields, meadows and pastures with ancient hedgerows, orchards and lakes is the best for seeing birds and makes for more-interesting walking. The Anse de l’Aiguillon (just north of la Rochelle on the Atlantic coast) is the best place in Europe to see wading birds. 250,000 birds congregate here each autumn in wonderful maritime walking country”.
France walking vacation highlights from Liz Lord, co-founder of our supplier, Space Between:
“You do need to do your research well as France is very diverse. So, consider your wish list; it is very likely that you will find a solution – even if you want beach, mountain, culture, glitz! For example, the Alpes-Maritimes has it all: the Riviera and the Mercantour National Park, with Liguria to the east and Provence to the west.”
“You do need to do your research well as France is very diverse. So, consider your wish list; it is very likely that you will find a solution – even if you want beach, mountain, culture, glitz! For example, the Alpes-Maritimes has it all: the Riviera and the Mercantour National Park, with Liguria to the east and Provence to the west.”
Sally Guillaume, from our supplier, Undiscovered Alps, shares her advice for getting off the beaten track in the mountains: “The Valgaudemar Valley is a big, austere, narrow Alpine valley with glaciers and peaks of over 3,000m on either side and was discovered by famous Alpinist, Edward Whimper, but has never gained the reputation of say the Barre des Ecrins because the summit is a little bit lower, so it doesn’t hold the same kudos as doing a 4,000m peak. The advantage in terms of mountaineering is it’s totally off the beaten track, so you’re not going to be sharing a refuge with 200 other people and treading on their poo and rubbish outside. It feels how Alpinism was when Alpinism first started; fewer crowds and a fantastic climbing experience that makes you feel on top of the world, but with the advantage of being away from the honeypot.”
More about France walking
The best time to go on a walking vacation in France could well depend on whether you’re interested in walking on sunshine in the French Alps, the French Riviera or the Loire Valley.
Our France walking travel guide is packed with useful, honest advice, aimed at helping you find out not only what does walking in France entail but the different walking types available too.
French walking vacation activities to complement a tour include yoga retreats, wildlife wonders and walking en famille, with hiking ‘en hiver’ offering a snow-covered snowshoeing adventure.
With approaches possible from France, Switzerland and Italy, Mont Blanc is a tripartite triumph of nature - climb it, circumnavigate it, camp on it or go chic on it, just don't miss it.
Walking in Mercantour National Park lets you in on a well-kept secret, a beautiful and tranquil part of the Alps amazingly close to the French Riviera yet relatively under-visited by walkers.
Upper Provence, with its swathes of lavender fields, mountainsides wafted by the scent of thyme and almost year-round sunshine is France at its most bucolic.
Our top walking vacations in France take in the peaks of the French Alps and Mont Blanc as well as the gorges and meadows of Provence with trips into the French Pyrenees another highlight.
We’ve got advice from our friends in France to compile a walking vacations in France travel tips page to help you learn by way of recommendations from those who have been there.
From helicopters and hunting to the British invasion and being respectful on Mont Blanc, our responsible walking vacations in France page has been designed to help you walk the walk and travel better.
protection
Photo credits: [Page banner: Nicolas Cool] [Alps: AirHaake]
[Burgundy: Aapo Haapanen]
[Dordogne: Stephane Mignon]
[Ecrins NP: Kitty Terwolbeck]
[French Pyrenees: Myrabella]
[Haute Savoie: Alex Brown]
[Loire Valley: Calips ]
[Mercantour NP: AD 04]
[Mont Blanc: Cristian Bortes www.eyeem.com/bortescristian]
[Poitou-Charentes: Webzooloo]
[Provence: Miguel Virkkunen Carvalho]
[Riviera: Jean Latour]
[Sally Guillaume tip: *pascal*]
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