France

Walking holidays in France

Fewer places in Europe spark passion for walkers and hikers in the way France does. Complete with snow-capped mountains, rugged hills, glittering lakes, idyllic islands, and chateaux galore, it smoulders with natural beauty. And then, of course, there’s the prestigious wine villages and towns – many of which are famous for producing the best reds and whites on the planet.

Hike a section of the Cathar Trail 

For unrivalled walks, hikes, and climbs, the 250-km Cathar Trail (GR367) stretches from Port la Nouvelle on the Mediterranean to the eastern foothills of the Pyrenees. Following in the footsteps of the Cathar people, you’ll get to hike a 58-mile chunk of this famous route – including crossing the border into Spain. The well-trodden trail rewards with plenty of interesting pitstops, including the villages of Mérens and Ax-les-Thermes, the town of Berga, and Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park – the mountainous wonderland with peaks that reach over 2,500 metres.  

Spend time in sweet-scented Provence 

Mused about by the likes of Cézanne, Picasso, Van Gogh, and Matisse, Provence is the sunny south-eastern corner of France that enchants with incredible hiking terrain, sweeping coastlines, chocolate-box towns and villages, and wonderful local markets. It’s also famous for its purple-tinged lavender fields, especially during June and mid-July when the flowers are in bloom. There’s a slew of exciting walks on offer, including stops at Gréoux-les-Bains, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, Quinson, and Régusse.