Walking holidays in France

France is a wonderful place for walkers. Whether you prefer the security of a fully guided holiday or the freedom of the open trail, France offers some of the best walking routes in Western Europe.

There are numerous walking holiday companies who will arrange everything for you, or if it’s adventure you’re looking for, many people enjoy planning their own hiking trail in France. 

Why choose France for a walking holiday?

Walking can be the best way to appreciate the beauty, colour and charm of the French landscape. From challenging mountain trails to more leisurely walking, there is something for everyone, from the coast of Brittany to the peaks of the Pyrenees.

Walking holidays in France also have the benefit of guilt-free gastronomy. Where better than France, with its Michelin star restaurants and world-famous wineries, to fuel yourself up at the end of a calorie-burning day on the trail?

Be free to explore the beauty of France on foot

Top walking destinations in France

You can choose from a fully guided walking holiday, with luggage transfers, pre-booked accommodation and experienced guides, to more independent hikes where you carry your own gear, camp and go more or less where you want to, at whatever pace. You might just fancy a short walk that will only take a few hours. 

The below is certainly not an exhaustive list of the walking routes available – you can walk more or less anywhere you want, or create your own itinerary – but we feel you won’t regret walking any of these routes. 

Historic and cultural landscapes

Delights await walkers in the rolling hills of Burgundy

Burgundy 

The archetypal Burgundy landscape is a picturesque one of rolling hills and vine-covered valleys. Wherever you walk in Burgundy (known in French as ‘Bourgogne) you will be visiting pretty villages, stopping off at vineyards and tasting the region’s local wines such as its world-famous Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. Medieval castles and churches dot the landscape, and you will be spoilt for choice for accommodation, from welcoming guest houses to campsites with a full range of facilities, to boutique hotels. 

Les Baronnies, Provence

Les Baronnies is a secret and unspoilt corner of the south-west of France, with lavender-carpeted fields, rugged ravines and sleepy mountain villages. Five or six days walking here is a combination of easy and moderate terrain, with walkers able to sample the fantastic local cuisine and fine wines. There are steep climbs if you feel like a challenge, particularly the ascent of Mont Ventoux, the 1,909 metre peak that is a regular feature of the Tour de France, as well as gentler routes around the historic towns of Buis les Baronnies and Nyons.

Coastal and scenic walks

The pink granite coast of Brittany

French Riveria, Côte d’Azur

Why not explore the coastal paths and mountain trails of the Côte d’Azur, taking in beautiful gardens, mountain villages and some of the best views of the French Riviera? You could move from place to place or stay at a single-centre in one of the delightful coastal towns. It is generally easy walking with no high altitudes. One of the most scenic short walks is the Cap d’Antibes trail. 

The Pink Granite Coast, Brittany

Among the favourite locations for a walking holiday in Brittany is the rugged shoreline of the north coast, with its pink rocks hewn into strange shapes by the Atlantic waves. A walk over three of four days on the popular GR34 path could take in overnight stays at Plestin-les-Grèves, Lannion or Plougrescant. If you fancy getting back in the car, here’s our guide to a driving tour in Brittany.

The Nietzsche path, Èze

It was while walking to and from the hilltop village of Éze in the Côte d’Azur, that the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche found inspiration for his novel Thus Spoke Zarathustra. On their way up modern walkers may be cursing unphilosophically, but descending the 5km hillside edge path is easier – the path is steep at times but affords breathtaking views of the bay below.

Mountain and countryside walks

The French Alps, a spectacular place to walk

Les Pays du Mont Blanc, Alps

If you only do one walking route in France, make it this Alpine section of the Grand Randonnée long distance route. You will be walking mountain valleys and paths with stunning views of the 4,809m Mont Blanc, the tallest mountain in Western Europe, and the surrounding peaks. You will stay at alpine lodges, gites and hotels. The walking will be spectacular, but as you might expect, also challenging at times.

Auvergne, Massif Central

The volcanic landscapes of the Auvergne region will take your breath away. There are astonishing views of some of the highest peaks of the Massif Central, historic villages, dramatic waterfalls and beautiful lakes. Among the highlights are the funicular ride to the highest volcano in the Auvergne, the 1465m Puy de Dome.

Cirque de Gavarnie, Pyrenees

The Cirque de Gavarnie is a UNESCO Global Heritage site and one of the ‘must sees’ of the Pyrenees. A natural ampitheatre of jagged rock terraces and gushing waterfalls at the head of a dramatic valley, the Cirque de Gavarnie has inspired mountaineers, artists, poets and photographers with its awe-inspiring beauty.

You can get to the Cirque and back in 2-3 hours on this 8.5km walk, with 210m of ascent. It is generally easy walking on good paths, and ideal for families.

Blanc-Martel Trail, Gorges du Verdon

The Gorges du Verdon: ‘The Grand Canyon of France’

The Gorges du Verdon in south eastern France has been called the ‘Grand Canyon of France’, and with good reason. The Blanc-Martel trail is the most famous of the paths in the area, and uses a network of tunnels, bridges, stairs and rocky paths through the cliffs. The trail takes 6-7 hours and care is needed at some points.

Take plenty of water as there are no facilities until you reach the spectacular viewpoint (and bar!) of the Auberge du Point Sublime, from where there are buses and taxis back to the start of the trail.

Step by step – How to prepare for a walking holiday

‘Self-guided’ does not have to mean completely independent walking holidays. Some of these longer walks include luggage transfers and pre-booked accommodation. You might even get picked up at the end of each day and stay in the same hotel.

But if you are going it alone, make sure you do plenty of pre-planning. Plot your course on the country’s impressive network of long distance paths (more than 58,000 km of them!), and buy local maps from the French ramblers’ association, FFRP.

Wild camping is generally permitted in France, apart from on the coast, in protected natural sites and near historic monuments. Local restrictions may apply with regard to campfires, but as in the UK, the same basic rule applies – leave no trace.

What do the French walking signs mean?

In France there are three types of hiking trail: 

•    GR (Grande Randonnée) – long distance trails like the GR34 or GR10 

•    GR de pays – regional multi-day circular routes 

•    PR – circular routes that take less than a day to walk 

They are colour coded, and may appear as a printed sign or could just be painted onto a wall or a tree. GR is indicated by a white and red stripe, GR de pays by yellow and red, and PR is just one yellow stripe. They will indicate the direction you need to take, or (quite helpfully) if you have gone the wrong way. 

Long distance footpaths in France are colour coded (Credit: Havang(nl), CC0, via Wikimedia Commons)

What you’ll need for your walking holiday in France 

Shoes/boots

The most important item for any walking holiday; you won’t get anywhere with battered old trainers. If you’re an experienced walker, you’ll know which you prefer; if not, ask for advice in an outdoor shop. And don’t forget to break in your new footwear before you travel!

Rucksack

A lightweight day pack will do for a guided tour; if you’re not relying on baggage transfers you’ll need a proper rucksack. Be wary of weight; don’t carry more than 1/5 of your bodyweight (13 kg is normally enough).

Other walking holiday essentials 

•    Thin waterproof for those wet days

•    Sun cream

•    Light, warm clothes – walking at altitude can be cold

•    Water – make sure you have enough for each day, especially if you are walking in remote areas 

•    Walking poles – especially for older walkers

Walk this way - plan your hiking holiday with LeShuttle

Walking holidays are all about taking your time and travelling at your own pace; but we can be quicker about getting you there. The crossing from Folkestone to Calais with LeShuttle takes just 35 minutes. Whether you’re off to hike in the French Alps or wander the Loire valley you'll have the security of knowing your own car is always within reach during your walking holiday in France.