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

The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2020
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
2020
  • Le Pays de Rennes à pied
  • Le Pays de Rennes à pied, FFRP topo-guide Ref. No. P352, with 50 walks of varying length and difficulty around Rennes. There are walks along the rivers Ille, Seiche and Vilaine and the Canal d`Ille et Rance, and two itineraries explore Rennes itself. Each walk is presented on a separate colour extract from IGN’s topographic survey of France at... Read more
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2020
  • L'ile de la Reunion a pied 2020
  • Les sentiers forestiers de l`île de la Réunion, FFRP topo-guide Ref. No.SF01, with 35 day walks of varying length and difficulty on the island. Each walk is presented on a separate colour extract from IGN’s topographic survey at 1:25,000, with its description cross-referenced to the map. Current edition of this title was published in April... Read more
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
2020
  • L`île de La Réunion... à pied
  • Les sentiers forestiers de l`île de la Réunion, FFRP topo-guide Ref. No.SF01, with 35 day walks of varying length and difficulty on the island. Each walk is presented on a separate colour extract from IGN’s topographic survey at 1:25,000, with its description cross-referenced to the map. Current edition of this title was published in April... Read more
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2020
  • Wandelgids P974 L'île de La Réunion à pied | FFRP
  • Les sentiers forestiers de l`île de la Réunion, FFRP topo-guide Ref. No.SF01, with 35 day walks of varying length and difficulty on the island. Each walk is presented on a separate colour extract from IGN’s topographic survey at 1:25,000, with its description cross-referenced to the map. Current edition of this title was published in April... Read more
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2022
  • Lonely Planet Best Day Walks France
  • Lonely Planet`s Best Day Walks France is your passport to 60 easy escapes into nature. Stretch your legs away from the city by picking a walk that works for you, from just a couple of hours to a full day, from easy to hard. Explore the Pyrenees, hike the French Alps, and marvel at beautiful Corsica. Inside Lonely Planet`s Best Day Walks... Read more
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
2022
  • Lonely Planet Best Day Walks France
  • Lonely Planet`s Best Day Walks France is your passport to 60 easy escapes into nature. Stretch your legs away from the city by picking a walk that works for you, from just a couple of hours to a full day, from easy to hard. Explore the Pyrenees, hike the French Alps, and marvel at beautiful Corsica. Inside Lonely Planet`s Best Day Walks... Read more
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2022
  • Wandelgids Best Day Walks France - Frankrijk | Lonely Planet
  • Lonely Planet`s Best Day Walks France is your passport to 60 easy escapes into nature. Stretch your legs away from the city by picking a walk that works for you, from just a couple of hours to a full day, from easy to hard. Explore the Pyrenees, hike the French Alps, and marvel at beautiful Corsica. Inside Lonely Planet`s Best Day Walks... Read more
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Besancon - Montbeliard IGN TOP100 137
  • Discover the new double-sided laminated edition of TOP100 road maps of France from the Institut Géographique National (IGN); exceptionally detailed, contoured road maps which include the cycle paths and greenways of the AF3V (French Association for the Development of Cycle Paths and Greenways), ideal for exploring the French countryside by car,... Read more
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2018
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
2018
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2018
  • Wandelgids Walking in the Briançonnais | Cicerone
  • Guidebook of 40 walks around Briançon in France. Walks for all abilities ranging from 1½ to 7hrs. The book focuses on the stunning valleys of Clarée, Cerveyrette, Ayes, Durance and Guisane, and includes the magnificent Alpine landscapes around Vallouise and Montgenèvre. Read more
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
The Book Depository
United Kingdom
The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2021
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
2021
  • Val d`Oise a pied - 39 Promenades et Randonnees
  • The Val d`Oise is four natural regions to discover. Parisis in the south of the department, Pays de France in the east, a vast agricultural plateau made up of wooded areas (forests of Montmorency and Isle-Adam). The Ysieux valley remains steeped in the ancient activity of the Cistercian monks. There is also the Lys marsh and the Royaumont... Read more
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2019
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
2019
  • La Montagne Sainte-Victoire à pied
  • La Montagne Sainte-Victoire à pied, FFRP topo-guide Ref. No.P131, with 28 day walks of varying length and difficulty in the mountains just east of Aix-en-Provence, famous from Cezanne’s beautiful paintings of them. 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
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2018
  • Bearn a pied entre Pau et le Pic du Midi D'Ossau 2018
  • Franstalige wandelgids met een beschrijving van een aantal dagtochten. Uitstekende beschrijvingen met duidelijk kaartmateriaal. Mislopen is nauwelijks mogelijk, maar ja .. de franse taal! Ook praktische informatie staat in deze gids. Alle gidsen bevatten een door ons toegevoegde uitgebreide frans - nederlandse wandelwoordenlijst. Entre Pau et... Read more
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
2018
  • Le Béarn à pied P641
  • Le Béarn à pied, FFRP topo-guide Ref. No. P641, with 20 day walks of varying length and difficulty in the Pyrenees and their foothills between Pau, Pic du Midi d`Ossau and Col du Somport. 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.... Read more
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2018
  • Wandelgids P641 Le Béarn... à pied | FFRP
  • Franstalige wandelgids met een beschrijving van een aantal dagtochten. Uitstekende beschrijvingen met duidelijk kaartmateriaal. Mislopen is nauwelijks mogelijk, maar ja .. de franse taal! Ook praktische informatie staat in deze gids. Alle gidsen bevatten een door ons toegevoegde uitgebreide frans - nederlandse wandelwoordenlijst. Entre Pau et... Read more
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
  • Nantes metropole et ses environs a pied 2019
  • Nantes Métropole et ses environs à pied, FFRP topo-guide Ref. No. P441, with 29 day walks of varying length and difficulty in the city itself and in the surrounding countryside, including a circuit around the environs . 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
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Nantes Métropole à pied
  • Nantes Métropole et ses environs à pied, FFRP topo-guide Ref. No. P441, with 29 day walks of varying length and difficulty in the city itself and in the surrounding countryside, including a circuit around the environs . 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
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2021
  • Le Var pied 28 promenades & randonn es 2021
  • Le Var à pied, FFRP topo-guide Ref. No. D083, with 29 day walks of varying length and difficulty in the department of Var, including the areas around Toulon, Giens, St. Tropez, Fréjus, Fayence, etc. 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... Read more
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
2021
  • Le Var à pied FFRP Topo-guide D083
  • Le Var à pied, FFRP topo-guide Ref. No. D083, with 29 day walks of varying length and difficulty in the department of Var, including the areas around Toulon, Giens, St. Tropez, Fréjus, Fayence, etc. 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... Read more
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2021
  • Wandelgids D083 Le Var... à pied | FFRP
  • Le Var à pied, FFRP topo-guide Ref. No. D083, with 29 day walks of varying length and difficulty in the department of Var, including the areas around Toulon, Giens, St. Tropez, Fréjus, Fayence, etc. 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... Read more
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2018
  • Le Velay a pied - autour de St-Paulien et Allegre 2018
  • Franstalige wandelgids met een beschrijving van een aantal dagtochten. Uitstekende beschrijvingen met duidelijk kaartmateriaal. Mislopen is nauwelijks mogelijk, maar ja .. de franse taal! Ook praktische informatie staat in deze gids. Alle gidsen bevatten een door ons toegevoegde uitgebreide frans - nederlandse wandelwoordenlijst. On a coutume... Read more
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De Zwerver
Netherlands
2018
  • Wandelgids P431 Le Velay... à pied | FFRP
  • Franstalige wandelgids met een beschrijving van een aantal dagtochten. Uitstekende beschrijvingen met duidelijk kaartmateriaal. Mislopen is nauwelijks mogelijk, maar ja .. de franse taal! Ook praktische informatie staat in deze gids. Alle gidsen bevatten een door ons toegevoegde uitgebreide frans - nederlandse wandelwoordenlijst. On a coutume... Read more
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More books…

Maps

The Book Depository
United Kingdom
  • Gorges et Monts d'Ardeche 2018
  • Selected tourist regions of the France on GPS compatible, contoured TOP 75 maps at 1:75,000 from the IGN, highlighting local and long-distance hiking paths, cycling routes and sites for other recreational activities. Each title includes five large panels with mapping at 1:25,000 to cover its most popular areas in greater detail. Cartography of... Read more
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Gorges and Monts d`Ardèche IGN 75014
  • Selected tourist regions of the France on GPS compatible, contoured TOP 75 maps at 1:75,000 from the IGN, highlighting local and long-distance hiking paths, cycling routes and sites for other recreational activities. Each title includes five large panels with mapping at 1:25,000 to cover its most popular areas in greater detail. Cartography of... Read more
De Zwerver
Netherlands
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
  • Livarot / Beuvillers 2021
  • 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
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Livarot-Pays-d`Auge - Lisieux IGN 1713SB
  • 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
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Champagnole - Lac de Chalain - Pic de l`Aigle IGN 3326ET
  • 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
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Stanfords
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  • Landerneau - Landivisiau - PRN d`Armorique IGN 0516OT
  • 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
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Stanfords
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  • Pezenas - Murviel-les-Beziers IGN 2644OT
  • 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
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Briey - Jarny IGN 3312SB
  • 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
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
  • Arles / PNR de Camargue 2018
  • De wandelkaart die de perfectie benadert! Werkelijk alle topografische details zijn er op te vinden; van hoogtelijnen tot aan bruggetjes en allerlei wandelpaden. Daarnaast hebben de makers een flinke dosis toeristische informatie op de kaart verwerkt: campings, gites d étape; restaurants en ingetekende doorgaande wandelpaden, de grandes... Read more
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Arles - PNR de Camargue IGN 2943ET
  • De wandelkaart die de perfectie benadert! Werkelijk alle topografische details zijn er op te vinden; van hoogtelijnen tot aan bruggetjes en allerlei wandelpaden. Daarnaast hebben de makers een flinke dosis toeristische informatie op de kaart verwerkt: campings, gites d étape; restaurants en ingetekende doorgaande wandelpaden, de grandes... Read more
De Zwerver
Netherlands
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
  • Poligny / Chaussin 2019
  • 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
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Poligny - Chaussin IGN 3225SB
  • 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
De Zwerver
Netherlands
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
  • Saint-Gilles / Vauvert / le Petite Camargue 2018
  • 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
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • St-Gilles - Vauvert - La Petite Camargue IGN 2943OT
  • 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
De Zwerver
Netherlands
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Langogne - Grandrieu IGN 2737SB
  • 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
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Saint-Brieuc - Morlaix - Côte de Granit Rose IGN TOP100 114
  • Discover the new double-sided laminated edition of TOP100 road maps of France from the Institut Géographique National (IGN); exceptionally detailed, contoured road maps which include the cycle paths and greenways of the AF3V (French Association for the Development of Cycle Paths and Greenways), ideal for exploring the French countryside by car,... Read more
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Monts du Lyonnais IGN 2932ET
  • 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
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Argentat-sur-Dordogne - Saint-Privat - Barrage du Chastang IGN 2235SB
  • 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
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
  • Nice / Menton / Cote d'Azur 2018
  • Wandelkaart - Topografische kaart 3742OT 3742 OT Nice, Menton, Côte d'Azur; Monaco, L'Escarène; La Turbie | IGN De wandelkaart die de perfectie benadert! Werkelijk alle topografische details zijn er op te vinden; van hoogtelijnen tot aan bruggetjes en allerlei wandelpaden. Daarnaast hebben de makers een flinke dosis toeristische informatie op... Read more
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Nice - Menton - Cote d`Azur IGN 3742OT
  • 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
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Netherlands
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United Kingdom
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Huriel - Boussac IGN 2328SB
  • 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
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