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.

Carte

Hiking Map of France NWHiking Map of France NE

Hiking Map of France_SWHiking Map of France SE

Sentiers

Régions

Livres

Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Nogent - Foulain IGN 25K Série Bleue Map 3119SB
  • 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... Lire la suite
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
2015
  • Le parc naturel régional Normandie Maine à pied FFRP Topo-guide No. PN21
  • Le parc naturel régional Normandie Maine à pied, FFRP topo-guide Ref. No. PN21, with 33 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... Lire la suite
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De Zwerver
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2015
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
2018
  • Grenoble et ses environs à pied P381
  • Grenoble et ses environs à pied, FFRP topo-guide Ref. No. P381, with 35 day walks of varying length and difficulty both in the environs of Grenoble and in the city itself. Each walk is presented on a separate colour extract from IGN’s topographic survey of France at 1:25,000 or on a street plan, with its description cross-referenced to the map.... Lire la suite
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Eauze - Vic-Fezensac IGN 1742SB
  • 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... Lire la suite
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De Zwerver
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Also available from:
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De Zwerver
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • St-Beauzely - Aguessac - Gorges du Tarn IGN 25K Série Bleue Map 2540SB
  • 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... Lire la suite
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Bourbonne-Les-Bains - Val-de-Meuse (Montigny-le-Roi) IGN 3219SB
  • 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... Lire la suite
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Authon-du-Perche - la Bazoche-Gouet IGN 1918SB
  • 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... Lire la suite
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Cholet - Niort - Marais Poitevin IGN TOP100 132
  • 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,... Lire la suite
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Combourg - St-Aubin-d`Aubigne IGN 1217SB
  • 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... Lire la suite
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Stanfords
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  • La Ferte-Mace - Pre-en-Pail - Carrouges IGN 1616SB
  • 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... Lire la suite
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Lurcy-Levis - Saint-Pierre-le-Moutier IGN 25K Série Bleue Map 2526SB
  • 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... Lire la suite
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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... Lire la suite
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De Zwerver
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  • Wandelgids P43C Le Vélay à pied - autour de la Chaise-Dieu | FFRP
  • 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... Lire la suite
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Bourmont - Clefmont IGN 3218SB
  • 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... Lire la suite
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • L`Isle-sur-Serein - Saint-Remy IGN 2821SB
  • 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... Lire la suite
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Cartes

Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume - Barjols - Trets - Mont Aurelien IGN 3344OT
  • 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... Lire la suite
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Civray - Sauze-Vaussais IGN 1729SB
  • 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... Lire la suite
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Metz - Courcelles-Chaussy IGN 3413SB
  • 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... Lire la suite
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Aix-Villemaur-Palis - Auxon IGN 2718SB
  • 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... Lire la suite
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  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Lesparre-Medoc - Mortagne-sur-Gironde IGN 1433SB
  • 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... Lire la suite
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De Zwerver
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Vouneuil-sur-Vienne - Archigny - Jaunay-Clan IGN 1826SB
  • 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... Lire la suite
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Facinas CNIG Topographic Map 1077-I
  • Topographic coverage of mainland Spain at 1:25,000 published by the Centro Nacional de Información Geograficá, the country’s civilian survey organization. The maps have contours at 10m intervals and colouring and/or graphics to show different types of vegetation or land use. Boundaries of national parks and other protected areas are marked. In... Lire la suite
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Vendome - Montoire-sur-le-Loir IGN 1920SB
  • 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... Lire la suite
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Bazas - Grignols IGN 1639SB
  • 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... Lire la suite
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Landiras - Hostens IGN 1538SB
  • 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... Lire la suite
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Preuilly-sur-Claise - le Grand-Pressigny IGN 1925SB
  • 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... Lire la suite
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Saint-Medard-en-Jalles - Castelnau-de-Medoc IGN 1436SB
  • 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... Lire la suite
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