France

Description

Corsica - by Henk

France, country of contrasts, home to the inventors of the Topoguide, is a great walking destination all year round. An intricate network of long distance footpaths, the so-called Grands Randonnées, reaches out to the farthest corners of the country. At least 80 long distance trails and their countless variants are meticulously documented and waymarked. Mastering a bit of French will help you find your way, and a bottle of wine at that.

It may be difficult to find information or topo guides for many trails. The exact route - not only the name "GR" - of any hiking trail in France is copyrighted by the FFRP and cannot be published by others without their consent. The maps of IGN usually show all regional PR's and national GR's.

The French themselves are mad about walking, often in groups of about 20, recognisable by their non-stop rather loud conversations lasting from dawn till dusk and snacking on hard boiled eggs en route. So join the crowd and turn bon vivant. Walk the Provence in spring, pass through the wine regions coloured all red in late autumn. Enjoy the Atlantic coast and its birds in May, and the shimmering sun on the glaciers in summer. Explore the Loire in autumn, and the dark forests of the Morvan in winter. Or take a walk all the way from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean right across the Pyrenees along the GR10. Another popular trail is the GR5, from Luxembourg to Nice through the Vosges, the Elzas and the Alps. For those fearless and bursting with energy, the GR20 is a fine challenge. This trail following the highest ridges of the island of Corsica is for the surefooted only.

Another popular walk of course is the TMB, the Tour du Mont Blanc: eight days with views on the highest mountain of Europe, weather permitting. Drawback: crazy busy. Less known, but just as fine, is the Tour du Queyras (GR58), also in the Alps. Other best hikes in the Alps are the Tour de la Vanoise (GR55) or the Tour de l'Oisans (GR54). You can walk the Vallée des Merveilles (GR52). And a bit on the outside of the Alps is the Vercors (GR91 - GR95) and Mt Lubéron (GR97). There you are, now you know what the French themselves like most.

Along most GR's you will find huts or Gites d'Etappe at regular intervals. These are mostly just simple shelters, so bring food to prepare your own meals. Outside the main summer season, with most French back in Paris, the Gites are often closed. In such cases, bring your own tent. Most GR's can be tough but not dangerous, except the GR20.

Map

Hiking Map of France NWHiking Map of France NE

Hiking Map of France_SWHiking Map of France SE

Trails

Regions

Books

Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Lyon à pied VI08
  • Lyon à pied, FFRP topo-guide Ref. No. VI08, with six thematic walks within the city centre and across the suburbs, all marked on detailed street plans cross-referenced to the descriptions. Current edition of this title was published in November 2013.ABOUT THE FFRP (Fédération française de la randonée pédestre) TOPOGUIDES: published in a handy... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Murder in Midsummer: Classic Mysteries for the Holidays
  • It`s the middle of summer. On Cornish sea-fronts, happy children grip melting ice-creams. In the south of France, sunlight filters through leaves as families picnic in the shade. And in the fashionable resorts of the Mediterranean, the beautiful people sun themselves on picture-postcard beaches.And in those long, hot summer nights ... murder... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Le Velay à pied - Autour de La Chaise-Dieu P43C
  • Le Pays de La Chaise-Dieu à pied, FFRP topo-guide Ref. No. P43C, with 18 day walks of varying length and difficulty in the Livradois-Forez Regional Park. Current edition of this title was published in May 2011.To see the list of other FFRP guides with day walks please click on the series link.ABOUT THE FFRP (Fédération française de la randonnée... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
2012
  • Lot-et-Garonne à pied FFRP Topo-guide No. D047
  • Lot-et-Garonne à pied, FFRP topo-guide Ref. No.D047, with 36 day walks of varying length and difficulty in the department of Lot-et-Garonne, near Agen and the confluence of the two rivers, the Lot and the Garonne. Each walk is presented on a separate colour extract from IGN’s topographic survey of France at 1:25,000, with its description... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
2018
  • Dijon métropole à pied 37PR
  • Le Grand Dijon à pied, FFRP topo-guide Ref. No. P211, with 34 walks in the city centre, the suburbs and the environs. Each walk is presented on a separate colour extract from IGN’s topographic survey of France at 1:25,000 or a street plan, with its description cross-referenced to the map. Current edition of this title was published in August... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
2021
  • DK Eyewitness France
  • Discover France`s special je ne sais quoiWhether you want to visit fairytale chateaux, stroll amid rolling fields of blossoming lavender or learn what makes a noble vintage, your DK Eyewitness travel guide makes sure you experience all that France has to offer.Few countries capture the imagination quite like France. The world-famous cuisine is... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
2016
  • Le Pays du Ventoux à pied FFRP Topo-guide No. P841
  • Le Pays du Ventoux à pied, FFRP topo-guide Ref. No. P841, with 45 day walks in the environs of Mont Ventoux, north-east and east of Carpentras. Each day walk is presented on a separate colour extract from IGN’s topographic survey of France at 1:25,000, with its description cross-referenced to the map. Current edition of this title was published... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
2018
  • La Charente à pied
  • La Charente à pied, FFRP topo-guide Ref. No. D016, with 43 day walks in the department. Each day walk is presented on a separate colour extract from IGN’s topographic survey of France at 1:25,000, with its description cross-referenced to the map. Current edition of this title was published in August 2011.To see the list of other FFRP guides... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
2014
  • Le Val de Sioule à pied FFRP Topo-guide No. P032
  • Le Val de Sioule à pied, FFRP topo-guide Ref. No.P032, with 44 day walks of varying length and difficulty in the Massif Central between Vichy and Montluçon. Each walk is presented on a separate colour extract from IGN’s topographic survey of France at 1:25,000, with its description cross-referenced to the map. Current edition of this title was... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Touring the Italian Front 1917-1919
  • The guide describes the ground and operations covered by the British, French and US Expeditionary Forces deployed from France to the area north of Venice between November 1917 and Spring 1919. These forces supported the Italians after their disastrous defeat at Caporetto and helped stem the Austrian and German onslaught. This is the first guide... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
Stanfords
United Kingdom
2015
  • La Marne à pied FFRP Topo-guide No. D051
  • La Marne à pied, FFRP topo-guide Ref. No. D051, with 38 day walks of varying length and difficulty in the department, including in the Montagne de Reims and walks connected with the Meuse-Argonne offensive in the final months of WWI. Each walk is presented on a separate colour extract from IGN’s topographic survey of France at 1:25,000, with... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
2019
  • Le Parc Naturel Regional du Pilat à pied
  • Le Parc du Pilat à pied, FFRP topo-guide Ref. No. PN05, with 22 day walks of varying length and difficulty in the regional park between St. Etienne and the Rhone. Each walk is presented on a separate colour extract from IGN’s topographic survey of France at 1:25,000 and/or 1:50,000, with its description cross-referenced to the map. Current... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
2017
  • Le Calvados à pied D014
  • Le Calvados à pied, FFRP topo-guide Ref. No. D014, with 40 day walks of varying length and difficulty throughout the department of Calvados, including the birthplace of William the Conqueror in Falaise, D-Day beaches and the sites of the Normandy campaign of 1944. Each walk is presented on a separate colour extract from IGN’s topographic... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Les environs de Lyon a pied
  • Environs de Lyon à pied, FFRP Topo-guide No. RE20, with 41 day walks of varying length and difficulty all accessible within a 60min journey from Lyon on the regional train network (TER). Current edition of this title was published in March 2016.To see the list of other FFRP guides with day walks please click on the series link.ABOUT THE FFRP... Read more
More books…

Maps

Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • La Brenne Parc Naturel Régional IGN 83309
  • Parc Naturel Régional de la Brenne east of Poitiers on a detailed map at 1:60,000 prepared by the IGN in collaboration with the park authorities, the FFRP and various tourist organizations. Current edition of this map was published in summer 2014.The map highlights numerous local and long-distance hiking trails, including specially selected... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Le Perche Parc Naturel Régional à pied FFRP Topo-guide No. PN16
  • Le Perche Parc Naturel Régional à pied, FFRP topo-guide Ref. No. PN16, with 20 day walks of varying length and difficulty in the park. Each walk is presented on a separate colour extract from IGN’s topographic survey of France at 1:25,000, with its description cross-referenced to the map. Current edition of this title was published in May... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Pont-l`Abbe - Pointe de Penmarc`h IGN 0519OT
  • Topographic survey of France at 1:25,000 in IGN`s excellent TOP25 / Série Bleue series. All the maps are GPS compatible, with a 1km UTM grid plus latitude and longitude lines at 5’ intervals. Contours are at 5m intervals except for mountainous areas where the maps have contours at 10m intervals, vividly enhanced by hill shading and graphics for... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Interlaken - Grindelwald - Lauterbrunnen - Wengen - Brienz Swisstopo SKI 254S
  • Detailed ski map at 1:50,000 from Swisstopo, the country’s national survey organization, showing routes for skiing and/or snowboarding, access by public transport, recommended itineraries, lists of mountain huts, etc. The series uses the cartography of Switzerland’s topographic survey, with additional colouring to show slopes steeper than 30°.... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Plougastel - Daoulas - le Faou - PNR d`Armorique IGN 0517OT
  • Topographic survey of France at 1:25,000 in IGN`s excellent TOP25 / Série Bleue series. All the maps are GPS compatible, with a 1km UTM grid plus latitude and longitude lines at 5’ intervals. Contours are at 5m intervals except for mountainous areas where the maps have contours at 10m intervals, vividly enhanced by hill shading and graphics for... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Mapamundi de Luis XIV de Francia 1688
  • Coloured reproduction from the IGN-CNIG - Spain’s Civilian Survey organization of a map of the world prepared in 1688 by Jacques Jaugeon, French scholar and royal typographer during the reign of King Louis XIV. The map presents the world in two hemispheres, surrounded by allegorical figures representing the constellations and definitions of... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Bourg-Madame - Pic Carlit - Col de Puymorens IGN 2249OT
  • Topographic survey of France at 1:25,000 in IGN`s excellent TOP25 / Série Bleue series. All the maps are GPS compatible, with a 1km UTM grid plus latitude and longitude lines at 5’ intervals. Contours are at 5m intervals except for mountainous areas where the maps have contours at 10m intervals, vividly enhanced by hill shading and graphics for... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Dun-sur-Auron - Blet IGN 25K Série Bleue Map 2425SB
  • Topographic survey of France at 1:25,000 in IGN`s excellent TOP25 / Série Bleue series. All the maps are GPS compatible, with a 1km UTM grid plus latitude and longitude lines at 5’ intervals. Contours are at 5m intervals except for mountainous areas where the maps have contours at 10m intervals, vividly enhanced by hill shading and graphics for... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Saint-Remy-de-Provence - Tarascon - Chaine des Alpilles IGN 3042OT
  • Topographic survey of France at 1:25,000 in IGN`s excellent TOP25 / Série Bleue series. All the maps are GPS compatible, with a 1km UTM grid plus latitude and longitude lines at 5’ intervals. Contours are at 5m intervals except for mountainous areas where the maps have contours at 10m intervals, vividly enhanced by hill shading and graphics for... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Saint-Etienne-de-Montluc - la Bernerie-en-Retz IGN 25K Série Bleue Map 1124SB
  • Topographic survey of France at 1:25,000 in IGN`s excellent TOP25 / Série Bleue series. All the maps are GPS compatible, with a 1km UTM grid plus latitude and longitude lines at 5’ intervals. Contours are at 5m intervals except for mountainous areas where the maps have contours at 10m intervals, vividly enhanced by hill shading and graphics for... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Mayenne - le Horps IGN 1517SB
  • Topographic survey of France at 1:25,000 in IGN`s excellent TOP25 / Série Bleue series. All the maps are GPS compatible, with a 1km UTM grid plus latitude and longitude lines at 5’ intervals. Contours are at 5m intervals except for mountainous areas where the maps have contours at 10m intervals, vividly enhanced by hill shading and graphics for... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • St-Maixent-l`Ecole - Lezay IGN 1628SB
  • Topographic survey of France at 1:25,000 in IGN`s excellent TOP25 / Série Bleue series. All the maps are GPS compatible, with a 1km UTM grid plus latitude and longitude lines at 5’ intervals. Contours are at 5m intervals except for mountainous areas where the maps have contours at 10m intervals, vividly enhanced by hill shading and graphics for... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Le Tréport - St-Valery-sur-Somme - Baie de Somme IGN 2107OT
  • Topographic survey of France at 1:25,000 in IGN`s excellent TOP25 / Série Bleue series. All the maps are GPS compatible, with a 1km UTM grid plus latitude and longitude lines at 5’ intervals. Contours are at 5m intervals except for mountainous areas where the maps have contours at 10m intervals, vividly enhanced by hill shading and graphics for... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • France IGN Administrative Wall Map
  • Latest 2017 edition, administrative regions of France presented on a large, encapsulated (so damp-proof and crinkle-resistant) wall map at 1:1,000,000 from the IGN with each department in a different colour and shown with its divisions into arrondisements and the Métropole areas.Administrative divisions are presented on a base map showing the... Read more
More maps…

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