France
Description
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
Trails
- Camino de BaztanGPX
- Chemin du Roi Dagobert
- E10GPX
- E12GPX
- E2GPX
- E3GPX
- E4GPX
- E5GPX
- E7GPX
- E9GPX
- GR1 - Tour de ParisGPX
- GR10 - Traversée des PyrénéesGPX
- GR101GPX
- GR107 - El Camí dels Bons HomesGPX
- GR11 - Grand Tour de ParisGPX
- GR111 - Sentier de l’EssonneGPX
- GR12 - Amsterdam - ParisGPX
- GR120 - Parc Régional BoulonnaisGPX
- GR121 - Wavre - BoulogneGPX
- GR122 - ScheldelandGPX
- GR123 - À travers la PicardieGPX
- GR124GPX
- GR125GPX
- GR126 (France)GPX
- GR127GPX
- GR128 - VlaanderenrouteGPX
- GR13 - Traversée du MorvanGPX
- GR130 - IJzerGPX
- GR131GPX
- GR137
- GR14 - Sentier de l'ArdenneGPX
- GR14a - Vallée de la MarneGPX
- GR16 - Sentier de la SemoisGPX
- GR2 - Vallée de la SeineGPX
- GR20 - La montagne CorseGPX
- GR21 - Côtes NormandesGPX
- GR211GPX
- GR212GPX
- GR22 - Sentier du Mont Saint-MichelGPX
- GR221GPX
- GR222GPX
- GR223GPX
- GR224GPX
- GR23GPX
- GR25
- GR26GPX
- GR3 - Vallée de la LoireGPX
- GR30 - Volcans et lacs d'AuvergneGPX
- GR300 - Voie du BourbonnaisGPX
- GR31GPX
- GR32GPX
- GR34 - Sentier des DoaniersGPX
- GR340 - Tour de Belle-Île-en-MerGPX
- GR341GPX
- GR347GPX
- GR34AGPX
- GR35GPX
- GR36 - Traversée du PérigordGPX
- GR360 - Tour de la SaintongeGPX
- GR364GPX
- GR37 - Sentier de l'ArgoatGPX
- GR38GPX
- GR380 - Monts d'ArréeGPX
- GR39GPX
- GR4GPX
- GR40 - Tour du VelayGPX
- GR400 - Volcans du CantalGPX
- GR41GPX
- GR412 - Gorges de l’AllierGPX
- GR42GPX
- GR420GPX
- GR427GPX
- GR43GPX
- GR430 - Chemin de Saint Régis
- GR44GPX
- GR440 - Grand tour du Limousin
- GR440B - Petit tour du Limousin
- GR441 - Chaîne des PuysGPX
- GR444
- GR46GPX
- GR461
- GR463GPX
- GR48GPX
- GR49GPX
- GR5GPX
- GR50 - Tour des ÉcrinsGPX
- GR51 - Balcons de la MéditerranéeGPX
- GR510 - Sentier des huit valléesGPX
- GR52 - Vallée des MerveillesGPX
- GR52A - Panoramique du MercantourGPX
- GR53 - Crête des VosgesGPX
- GR533GPX
- GR534GPX
- GR54 - Tour de l'Oisans et des ÉcrinsGPX
- GR541
- GR549
- GR55 - Tour de la VanoiseGPX
- GR559GPX
- GR56 - Tour de l'UbayeGPX
- GR570 - Pays des Trois FrontièresGPX
- GR58 - Tour du QueyrasGPX
- GR59 - Des Vosges au JuraGPX
- GR590
- GR595
- GR6GPX
- GR60 - Monts d'AubracGPX
- GR61GPX
- GR62GPX
- GR63GPX
- GR636
- GR64GPX
- GR646GPX
- GR646 - Traversée du PérigordGPX
- GR65 - Via PodiensisGPX
- GR651GPX
- GR652GPX
- GR653 - Via TolosanaGPX
- GR653A - Via AureliaGPX
- GR653D - Voie d’ArlesGPX
- GR654 - Via LemovicensisGPX
- GR655 - Via TuronensisGPX
- GR66 - Tour du Mont AigoualGPX
- GR67 - Tour du Pays CévenolGPX
- GR68 - Tour du Mont Lozère
- GR7GPX
- GR70 - Chemin de StevensonGPX
- GR700 - Chemin de RégordaneGPX
- GR703 - Sentier de Jeanne d'Arc
- GR71 - Traversée du Haute LanguedocGPX
- GR71CD - Tour du Larzac templier et hospitalier
- GR72GPX
- GR73
- GR74GPX
- GR76
- GR77GPX
- GR78 - Sentier de PiémontGPX
- GR8GPX
- GR83 - Camí del Nord o del CanigóGPX
- GR86GPX
- GR9GPX
- GR90GPX
- GR91 - Traversée du VercorsGPX
- GR92GPX
- GR93GPX
- GR94 - Tour des Hautes-AlpesGPX
- GR946
- GR95GPX
- GR96 - Traversée des BaugesGPX
- GR97 - Tour du LuberonGPX
- GR98 - Les CalanquesGPX
- GR99 - Gorges du VerdonGPX
- GR99AGPX
- GTJ - Grande Traversée du JuraGPX
- GTPA - Grande Traversée des PréalpesGPX
- GTV - Grande Traversée du VercorsGPX
- Haute Route Chamonix-ZermattGPX
- HeuvellandGPX
- HRP - Haute Randonnée PyrénéenneGPX
- Jakobsweg Breisach - Cluny
- Jakobsweg im Elsass
- Jakobsweg Waldshut-Vézelay
- Mare a Mare CentreGPX
- Mare a Mare NordGPX
- Mare a Mare SudGPX
- Mare e Monti SudGPX
- Rhine-Meuse Trail
- Route du Temps
- Santiago de Compostela Pilgrims WayGPX
- SeealpentourGPX
- Sentier CathareGPX
- Templar Trail
- TMB - Tour du Mont BlancGPX
- Tour des monts d'AubracGPX
- Tour du BeaufortainGPX
- Tour du LarzacGPX
- Tour du MorvanGPX
- Tour du Parc du Pilat
- Tra Mare e MontiGPX
- Via AlpinaGPX
- Via ArverniaGPX
- Via BrugensisGPX
- Via FrancigenaGPX
- Via Gallia BelgicaGPX
- Via GebennensisGPX
- Via Thiérache
- Voie Catalane - Roussillon
- Voie de Lourdes
- Voie des PlantagenêtsGPX
- Voie du PiémontGPX
- Voie LittoraleGPX
Regions
- Alps
- Alsace
- Ardèche
- Auvergne
- Écrins
- Bauges
- Bourgogne
- Bretagne
- Cévennes
- Côte d'Azur
- Chablais
- Champagne-Ardenne
- Charente-Maritime
- Chartreuse
- Corsica
- Dauphiné
- Dordogne
- Drôme
- Giffre
- Gorges du Tarn
- Haute Savoie
- Ile-de-France
- Jura
- Lac Léman
- Languedoc
- Les Landes
- Limousin
- Loire
- Luberon
- Massif Central
- Mercantour
- Mont Blanc
- Morvan
- Normandie
- Paris
- Pays Catalan
- Picardie
- Provence
- Pyrenees
- Queyras
- Seine
- Tarn
- Ubaye
- Vanoise
- Vendée
- Vercors
- Verdon
- Vosges
Links
Facts
Reports
Guides and maps
Lodging
Organisations
Tour operators
GPS
Other
Books
United Kingdom
- Breteuil - La Neuve-Lyre IGN 1914SB
- 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
United Kingdom
- Amboise - Montlouis-sur-Loire IGN 1922SB
- 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
United Kingdom
- Broons - Plénée-Jugon IGN 1017SB
- 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
United Kingdom
2016
- St-Jacques-de-Compostelle - Puy-en-Velay to Moissac GR65-1 IGN 89020
- Chemin de St-Jacques - the Way of St James in France along the GR65 between Le Puy-en-Velay and Moissac presented at 1:100,000 on a double-sided, waterproof and tear-resistant map from IGN with cartography from their highly popular TOP100 series. The route is prominently highlighted on contoured mapping and annotated with hiking distances.... Read more
United Kingdom
- Alençon - Marolles-les-Braults IGN 1717SB
- 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
United Kingdom
- Charenton-du-Cher - Valigny - Foret de Troncais IGN 25K Série Bleue Map 2426SB
- 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
United Kingdom
- Autun - le Creusot IGN 2925SB
- 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
United Kingdom
- Bouilly - Clerey IGN 2818SB
- 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
United Kingdom
2013
- Vals Aix et d`Isable à pied FFRP Topo-guide No. P424
- Vals Aix et d`Isable à pied, FFRP topo-guide Ref. No. P424, with 16 day walks of varying length and difficulty in the countryside between St. Etienne and Roanne. 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... Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
Netherlands
2013
- Wandelgids P424 Les Vals d'Aix et Isable à pied | FFRP
- Guide FFRandonnée Les Vals d'Aix et Isable à pied - P424. PR 15 balades.Desservi par les autoroutes A 72 et A 89, les vals d'Aix et Isable sont à 30 min de Roanne et à moins d'une heure de Saint-Etienne, Lyon ou Clermont-Ferrand. Pour un grand bol d'air au plus près des gorges de la Loire !Nés de deux... Read more
United Kingdom
- Bar-sur-Aube - Colombey-les-Deux-Eglises IGN 3018SB
- 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
United Kingdom
- Moncoutant - La Chapelle-Saint-Laurent IGN 25K Série Bleue Map 1526SB
- 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
United Kingdom
- Jonzac - Mirambeau IGN 1533SB
- 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
United Kingdom
2015
- GR de Pays: Tours en Hautes Terres d`Oc FFRP Topo-guide No. 811
- Tours en Hautes Terres d`Oc, FFRP topoguide Ref. No. 811, covering a 230km circular route in the Parc Naturel Régional du Haut-Languedoc, with additional descriptions of 14 day walks in the region. Current edition of this title was published in July 2015.ABOUT THE FFRP (Fédération française de la randonnée pédestre) TOPOGUIDES: published in a... Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
Netherlands
2015
- Wandelgids 0811 Tours en Hautes Terres d'Oc | FFRP
- Uitstekende routegids met gedetailleerde kaarten en een routebeschrijving. Fout lopen wordt op deze manier wel erg moeilijk. Met symbolen is weergegeven welke voorzieningen (openbaar vervoer / winkels / overnachtingen) er zijn langs of bij de route. Een nadeel is dat de daadwerkelijke adressen dan weer niet altijd genoemd worden. Alle gidsen... Read more
United Kingdom
- Chambray-les-Tours - Langeais - Azay-le-Rideau IGN 1823SB
- 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
United Kingdom
- Le Lavandou - Parc National de Port Cros - Corniche des Maures IGN 3446ET
- 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
Maps
United Kingdom
- Felletin - Crocq - Giat IGN 2331SB
- 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
United Kingdom
- Font-Romeu - Capcir IGN WATERPROOF 2249ETR
- 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
United Kingdom
- Mont-Ventoux IGN WATERPROOF 3140ETR
- 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
United Kingdom
- Chateau-Landon - Corbeilles IGN 2418SB
- 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
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... Read more
United Kingdom
- Saint-Eloy-les-Mines IGN 2429SB
- 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
United Kingdom
- Vierzon - Mennetou-sur-Cher IGN 2223SB
- 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
United Kingdom
- Rouen - Le Havre - Cote d`Albatre - Boucles de la Seine Normande IGN TOP100 107
- 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
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
Netherlands
- Fietskaart - Wegenkaart - landkaart 107 Rouen - Le Havre | IGN - Institut Géographique National
- Map No. 107, Rouen - Le Havre, at 1:100,000, part of the TOP100 series from the Institut Géographique National (IGN). These exceptionally detailed, contoured and GPS compatible road maps which include English language map legend are ideal for exploring the French countryside by car, by bike, or even on foot. Used by millions of locals and... Read more
United Kingdom
- Le Poinçonnet - Velles - Luant IGN 25K Série Bleue Map 2126SB
- 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
United Kingdom
- Vichy - Bellerive-sur-Allier IGN Map 2629SB
- 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
United Kingdom
- Montceau-les-Mines - Ecuisses IGN 2926SB
- 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
United Kingdom
- Le Mas-d`Azil - Ste-Croix-Volvestre IGN 2046SB
- 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
United Kingdom
- Yvetot - Pavily IGN 1910SB
- 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
United Kingdom
- Rumilly - Seyssel - Le Grand Colombier IGN 3331OT
- 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
United Kingdom
- Saint-Girons - Couserans IGN 2047OT
- 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