France walks

On the trail of the GR10, the Granges d’Astau and Espingo Lake, via Lake Oô.

At the heart of the Alpilles Regional Nature Reserve, a small easy hike on good paths. The route takes you to the picturesque Rock with Two Holes painted by Van Gogh during his stay in Saint-Paul de Mausole from May 1889 to May 1890. It offers vast panoramic views over the two slopes of the Alpilles. To the south, in clear weather the view stretches to the Mediterranean, to the north over the Montagnette, the Gard, the Mont Ventoux, etc.

Wonderful hike through the Lower Verdon Gorges, starting in Quinson.

A wonderful stroll on the Crozon peninsula. Between steep cliffs, sandy beaches and megalith alignments, one of the most beautiful walks in Brittany.

Without doubt, the shortest path up to the summit of La Dôle (1677m altitude) from the French side of the border. In good weather, the views are breathtaking and go on for over 250km: from the Swiss Alps to Mont Blanc and on to the Vanoise and the Ecrins, all of this with plunging views down over Geneva and its lake.

A trek between Lagnes and Fontaine-de-Vaucluse on typical Provençal trails.

It's a nice walk that visits the three castles of Ribeauvillé at a slightly different angle from the traditional walk.

A Grand Tour of the beautiful and mysterious Lac Pavin, passing by the Puy de Montchal and the Creux de Soucy chasm.

A loop that takes you to the hamlet of Seguins along the ridges of the Grand Luberon through Sivergues and Chastelas.

This hike on the southern slope of Mont Ventoux, narrow, wooded and always chilly, carved out by capricious waters, leads to a vast panoramic view.

Beautiful tour largely on the coastal path (GR34), via Cap de la Chèvre, which overlooks the bay of Douarnenez.

The very secretive and beautiful Chaudefour valley is a classified natural site, closed up by the steep contours of a glacial cirque. Peaks, needles, plumbs are as many natural defences for an intact and preserved valley.

A short hike around Baux-de-Provence, mostly on good trails. There is a short climb down a well-maintained rocky path. 360° views at the viewpoint (or what remains of it). The Baux cover "every angle" with many panoramic views. Return via the village with the option to pay it a visit.

A beautiful walk through various landscapes, olive trees, impressive stone walls, a pine forest, caves and cave chapels.

A stroll in an exceptional place, discovering the gorges of the river Blavet and the cave of Mueron which was inhabited in the Bronze Age.
Ideal in summer and on warmer days, avoid periods of heavy rain.

A complete change of scene in this superb canyon between two narrow cliffs. An unusual place where a crevasse plunges into nowhere, with a peaceful and shady atmosphere between boulders, lichens and ferns.

The walk starts near Gordes (listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France) and passes through the Véroncle gorge to Murs and its castle.
A very pleasant, energetic walk in the ravine of the Véroncle gorges, discovering the remains of old mills from different periods along the way.
There are a few ladders and ropes, and an old sluice shaft that cannot be avoided.

The highlight of the walk is the wonderful view from the lookout tower over the Alpilles range, giving superb photo opportunities!

This walk is a marvellous way to explore the beautiful Saut du Doubs.

This short hike on trails marked by the Club Vosgien has in the first instance views of the valley of Munster, and also a view of the peaks of the Vosges. The many picnic opportunities around the Lac des Truites or Lac Forlet lakes, the trout spotting opportunities, as well the welcoming farmhouse make for an enjoyable outing.

A beautiful three-day hike, sleeping in a bivouac, with interesting variations in altitude.

The incredible waterfall and the route along the Bresque on the Sillans side.
The route along the Train des Pignes track.
Swimming in the natural pool of Salernes.

A lovely walk which includes a chance to see Cézanne’s Windmill, to discover the ancient ruins of the Roman aqueduct and its waterfall and the Zola dam. In the distance you can see Mont Sainte-Victoire.

An easy walk with few real difficulties offering stunning panoramic views of the valleys of the Gardon in Saint-Jean and Mialet. On the trip you can discover the concretions and gours of the Grotte de Valaurie (300m of underground galleries) if the entrance is still open.

The Gavarnie Cirque is an outstanding area of conservation. It is classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This easy hike will give you your first look at it!

A short hike to climb two volcanoes with their typical open craters to delight amateur geologists and curious hikers. A beautiful view from the top of the Puy de Lassolas on over the Chaîne des Puys to the north and Monts Dore to the south.

A pleasant hike in the Massif de la Clape with beautiful views and a visit of the Chapel of Auzils and its marine cemetery.

Climb the cliffs, enjoy the Fréfossé Château, go on a pebble beach away from onlookers, discover the small valleys of the Pays de Caux...
This is on the menu of this short hike.

Gilette and La Clue.
From the village of Gillette, perched on a rocky outcrop, this walk takes you to the medieval bridge of La Cerise (scenes from the film "The Hunchback" were shot here in 1997) and then winds through the Estéron gorges.

The walk descends the Hérisson ('hedgehog') River with its series of rapids and waterfalls, then returns via Bonlieu, passing through the Dame Blanche viewpoint, with a panoramic view over lakes Val and Chambly and the Herisson valley.

This is a lovely walk in the plains of the river Ill, which will let you to escape for two hours from the bustle of this area popular with tourists. In summer you'll be nice and cool, thanks to the many streams and towering trees.

Exploring La Montagne Noire and one of the highest waterfalls in Europe.

Very nice course with beautiful views of Lake Sainte-Croix.

An original route to get to Lac du Grand Ballon avoiding the road. You will discover beautiful trees, a waterfall and views over the Petit Ballon and the Black Forest along the way.

A short loop to discover these two characteristic rock formations as well as Saint-Christophe's Chapel, which protects the site, taking a less conventional route.

Easy walk on this “tooth” overlooking the Isère valley and offering an interesting view over the east foothills of Chartreuse.

A beautiful trail through the woods, overlooking the abbey and the cloister of Cadouin (built in the 12ht, 15th and 16th centuries). One of the many hikes in the forest of Bessède in the heart of the Périgord Noir.

This is a magnificent hike through the red rocks of Estérel, looking over the blue of the Mediterranean with extraordinary viewing points.

It is a short, relatively easy circuit exploring some curiosities of the forest of Fontainebleau around the Avon SNCF train station, namely the views over the Croix du Calvaire, the Sponge Rock, Denecourt Tower and fountains. One could also call it the fountain circuit.

As the name suggests, is this route ascends 25 mounds that form a circuit of the of the Trois Pignons forest. A hike amid the rocks that makes an excellent training run before mountain hikes in the summer.
N.B. The elevation is underestimated: between 800 and 900 metres total cumulative change in altitude. It’s difficult to find a larger change in altitude in the Ile-de-France, unless you want to take the steps up and down the Eiffel Tower three times on the trot. Expect to be walking for 6 to 7 hours.

A family-friendly trail that explores the troglodyte village of Barry, one of the finest and largest in France.

An exceptional circular walk above the torrent of Arles where you can discover a cave dwelling and a superb Cervennes collection in the hamlet of Fage.

Starting from Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, a beautiful walk along large, clearly-marked, shady trails. Beautiful viewpoints over the Alpilles, the village and the château des Baux-de-Provence.
The fragrant plants of the South and also pines and even cedars.

A lovely walk on the coastal path of the Cap d'Antibes. Very well laid-out, it offers superb views of the Antibes coast as well as a few architectural masterpieces such as the Château de la Croé and the Villa Eilenroc.

A circuit a dozen or so kilometers long in a green area among forests, streams and waterfalls. And especially crossing the Holzarté bridge which is the headline event of this quite demanding hike. If it is too physically demanding, you can turn around once you have seen the bridge.

A short but energetic walk that is exposed towards the end. Enjoy the stunning views from the top of Rocher de Roquebrune with its famous ochre colours.

The Mont Grêle lookout point and Archelle’s summit.
Mont Grêle is a peak that is visible from the valley of Chambéry and the Aiguebelette region.
It is easily spotted thanks to or because of the pylons that are installed at the top. Up close, these towers have still look great, but they do not alone justify the purpose of the tour, which is interesting because it offers views over Lake Aiguebelette and Chartreuse.

A lovely with snowshoes, with a beautiful view of the Alpine peaks at its height. Note that this hike can be done in all seasons.

Long but very nice hike station to station in the Forest of Fontainebleau. It goes through several viewpoints, ponds, little known corners, stunning scenery.

This short route through the village of Saint-Chaptes in the Gard allows you to discover the rocks sculpted in open garrigue and also gives you a view over the village, its old narrow streets and its castle.