It is often said that no other country offers such variety of landscape, culture and history in so small an area as France. Our broad programme of self guided walking holidays reflects this diversity, showcasing everything from the snow capped views on the Tour du Mont Blanc to the granite spires of Corsica. You can explore the rolling vineyards of Burgundy and the Loire, the forests of Tarn and Aveyron and the castles of the Dordogne, or follow spectacular trails through the Pyrenees, the grassy plateaux of the Massif Central and the limestone gorges of the Cévennes. Each region offers its own distinctive walking experience, shaped by centuries of tradition and a deep connection to the land.
Then there is French village life, with its colours, characters and timeless rituals, whether that is the fruit market in Chinon or the flower market in Aix en Provence. Added to this is the enduring appeal of French cuisine, from sauces and confits to pastries made with extraordinary care by local chefs. And although we have not yet mentioned the wines, we will leave you to discover those in your own time, with Burgundy being as good a place as any to begin. There is truly something for everyone who loves to walk in France.
The Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson helped establish the tradition of self guided walking in France when he travelled through the Cévennes and wrote his now celebrated account of the journey. Today, using the extensive GR long distance trail network and a wealth of quiet rural paths, Walkers’ Britain continues this tradition with walking holidays across the Cévennes, the Massif Central and the valleys of the Loire, Dordogne, Aveyron and Tarn.
From
From IntroductoryTo Challenging
self guided walk
hotel
6Days
Introductory to Moderate
7Days
Moderate
hotel, guesthouse
8Days
Moderate to Challenging
We place great emphasis on researching, planning and crafting innovative itineraries to ensure you get the very best experience out of your trip in France. We believe relationships are important and have been working with many of our hoteliers and local suppliers for years. This means that they know exactly what our travellers expect.
Self guided or small group; with the family on a relaxed ramble or with friends to circumnavigate the massif; our walking options cater to more fitness levels than anyone else in the Mont Blanc region.
Our active holidays in France are well priced offering great value for money. Included in your package are comprehensive route notes, maps & guide books along with bag transfers and locally run accommodation. When you book, your trip will be fully organised by a dedicated member of our in-house team, so you will always know who you are dealing with. We take the stress out of organising your trip in France.
Our team have been walking and cycling in France for over 4 decades. We are passionate about France, active holidays and delivering exceptional service. Combined, we’ve travelled to virtually every corner of the UK & Europe and bring a multi-disciplined, multicultural and whole-hearted love of all things travel.
Our guided walks in the mountain regions of France are led by bilingual, experienced professionals who know the region well. Every guide is first-aid trained and carry appropriate communication devices with them in case of an emergency.
Our Waste Management Policy encourages our travellers to take their own reusable water bottles, coffee cups and reusable stuff sacks to avoid single use plastics. In the mountains of the Pyrenees and Mont Blanc our local partners reduce the amount of packaging taken on tour and ensure all waste is carried out from refuges that do not have road access to help dispose of it properly.
In the regions that we travel through tourism is the main source of income for many local people. We support them by only working with local family run accommodations and suppliers so that your money actually assists the community that hosts you.
Our mules only work for 3-4 months per year. We have liaised with vets, farriers and other specialists to ensure we look after them correctly. During trips they are well fed in the abundant pastures and all of our guides are trained to ensure their well being. They spend their winters away from the mountains in a better climate where there is good food for them.
The paddock to plate concept is one we encourage by choosing to work with accommodations that source produce from local farms. This provides you with fresher meals and ensures your money directly assists local economies.
Often family run, these charming hotels provide access to local living thanks to your hosts. The hospitality is generous and their local knowledge is invaluable. Where possible, we choose hotel locations that add to your experience.
Used mainly on mountain walks, these convivial places add to the atmosphere of your journey through the mountains. Dorms may sleep up to 40 people and the beds are often bunk beds. Linen and blankets are provided and bathrooms are shared. Private rooms may be available, although private gite rooms still use shared bathrooms.
Think of it as your floating hotel, where each day you experience a different sunrise and sunset location and you unpack only once. Berths range from two lower or bunk bed style but can be upgraded to larger berths with double beds. The bar and dining area is always a popular hangout at the end of each day's activity. The crew includes an onboard cook.
Set on large grounds, these large French country houses or castles are often family run and named after the local wine. The building and rooms are often decorated to match the history of the building, complimenting the local food and wine experiences.
Pierre is a high altitude mountain guide and co-founder of our partner company in Chamonix. An accomplished alpinist in his own right, Pierre regularly ventures into the Himalayas and Alaska, and has summitted Cho Oyu (8201m) in Tibet. Whilst at home in Chamonix, Pierre, coordinates and guides many of our Mont Blanc ascents.
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
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Circumnavigate the spectacular Mont Blanc and hike its gentler lower stages, passing the snowcapped peaks, alpine meadows and charming villages of the French Alps
Head to the Pyrenees to discover a network of secret trails leading to the mysterious Cathar castles
Discover the endless vineyards, fairytale villages and unique German-infused culture of Alsace
Trek the high passes of the Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt—a challenging trail steeped in mountaineering legend
Visit WWII landing sites and sample local cheese, cider and calvados in Normandy
Tour the Loire Valley’s majestic chateaux, gardens and vineyards on foot or by bike
Indulge in Burgundy’s gourmet food and wine or explore the medieval castles and historic villages of Dordogne
April to October as the best time of year for walking and cycling holidays in France. Late spring and autumn are the picks, with fewer crowds and generally good weather. Summer is great for festivals, warm weather and long opening hours, however it does tend to be a lot busier and some regions can be a bit too warm for activity holidays in France.
The walking season in the European Alps is short – from mid June to mid September and many of the mountain refuges are closed outside this time.
Temperatures in the Alps over summer range from around 6 to 20 degrees Celsius during the day. Afternoon thunderstorms are common. At higher elevations it is important to dress with layers as cold winds and possible snow falls can happen even in summer.
France is +1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT/UTC)
French (official)
Euro
USD and GBP are easily changed
ATM's are widely available except in mountain regions.
Credit Cards are widely accepted
+33
Electricity in France is 230 Volts, at 50 hertz. The most common pin type is C. (2 round prong).
**IMPORTANT NOTE**
The introduction of the ETIAS has been delayed indefinitely. No action is required from travellers at this point.
The European Union will inform about the specific date for the start of ETIAS several months prior to its launch.
see https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en
Until then, visas not required for citizens of Australia, Canada, USA and New Zealand for up to 90 days in a period of 180 days for all Schengen countries (see https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen-borders-and-visa/visa-policy_en . Please ensure your passport is stamped on arrival in the Schengen area. For all other nationalities and for longer stays in countries covered by the Schengen Agreement (Australian New Zealand, Canadian and US passport holders), please contact the relevant embassy. Stays of longer than 90 days in the Schengen area require a long stay visa for the country you are spending most time in. However long stay visas are unlikely to be issued unless there is a valid reason (eg. studying in country). Unfortunately we cannot assist in obtaining visas for long stays due to individual country visa requirements.
Your safety is our number one concern. Our safety track record is exemplary thanks to careful management and thorough consultation with local partners. Our industry leading risk management procedures have become a skill that we continue to refine. Our leaders in the field are highly trained and have safety as their number one priority. Expert leaders, risk assessments, quality inclusions and your financial security all come standard when you travel with us.
Please refer to our Travel Advisory page for updates on recent events, travel warnings and advice.
We strongly recommend that all clients take out travel insurance at the time of booking to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, cancellations, etc. Insurance information is enclosed with your pre-departure information. Please contact us if you would like to obtain a quote for your trip duration.
We suggest that you consult your doctor, local government inoculation centre or a travel medical specialist in order to get the most current advice regarding vaccination requirements.
Money and valuables should always be stored safely when travelling. Keep your passport with you at all times and do not leave it in your main luggage. You will need it to change money and check into hotels. Where safety deposit boxes are available, we recommend that you use them. Keep jewellery and valuables to a minimum.
