Our walking vacations in France
The joy of our France walking vacations is roaming the country’s eclectic landscapes, and exploring regional cuisine farm to table as you stay in family-owned accommodations in welcoming rural communities. Explore lavender fields in Provence, the foothills of Mont Blanc, walk vineyard to vineyard in the Loire Valley, or in the company of a charming donkey on family walking trips in Mercantour. Small group tours, often led by guides who were brought up in that area all their lives and boast unparalleled knowledge about local culture and nature. And self-guided, tailor made walking vacations, where you can take any diversion that appeals.
Our top Hiking vacations in France
Guided walking vacations in the French Alps
From
£843
8 days
ex flights
Catered Chalet Based Guided Walking in the Giffre Valley
Small group2024: 10 Aug, 17 Aug, 24 Aug
Upper Provence walking vacation in France
From
€870 to €1315
7 days
ex flights
Walks through fragrant, colourful lavender landscapes
Tailor made
Brittany coastal walking vacation in France
From
€1025 to €1505
8 days
ex flights
Discover the unique setting of the Gulf of Morbihan
Tailor made
French Alps self guided walking vacation
From
£720
8 days
ex flights
Catered Chalet Based Walking Vacation in the Giffre Valley
Small group2024: 8 Jun, 22 Jun, 29 Jun, 6 Jul, 13 Jul, 27 Jul, 3 Aug, 31 Aug
Self guided walking vacation in France
From
€1550
6 days
ex flights
Idyllic walking in France with great food and wine included
Tailor made
Mont Blanc vacation, Tour du Mont Blanc
From
US $2170 to US $2450
8 days
ex flights
The best of the Tour du Mont Blanc
Small group2024: 18 May, 25 May, 1 Jun, 8 Jun, 15 Jun, 22 Jun, 29 Jun, 6 Jul, 13 Jul, 20 Jul, 27 Jul, 3 Aug, 10 Aug, 17 Aug, 24 Aug, 31 Aug, 14 Sep, 28 Sep, 5 Oct
Mercantour family hiking vacation, France
From
€680 to €750
6 days
ex flights
Walk with a donkey in French Alps
Tailor made
Mont Blanc Circuit trek, with hotel accommodation
From
US $4830
15 days
ex flights
Classic Tour, using small inns and guesthouses
Small group2024: 15 Jun, 22 Jun, 29 Jun, 27 Jul, 10 Aug, 17 Aug, 24 Aug, 31 Aug
Mont Blanc short guided tour
From
€610
4 days
ex flights
Trekking South Part of the Tour du Mont-Blanc in 4 days
Small group2024: 16 Jun, 30 Jun, 14 Jul, 28 Jul, 11 Aug, 25 Aug, 8 Sep
More about our walking vacations in France
Self guided or small group?
Wherever you roam – the Loire Valley, Mercantour or Ecrins national parks, Provence, Mont Blanc or the Dordogne – you’ll walk either as part of a small group trip, or on your own with detailed route notes provided by one of our travel companies. For those who enjoy a mix of company on their walks and over dinner every evening, a small group tour is ideal. And with local guides experts in botany, wildlife or geology, they’re a great way to learn. Self guided walks suit confident walkers keen to follow their own schedules – but support is never far away if needed.
Mont Blanc walking vacations, France
So huge it falls into three countries – France, Switzerland and Italy – Mont Blanc is not a mountain to be climbed easily. Commitment, crampons and climbing experience are all needed, though you don’t need months of training. Walking in the foothills, however, is another matter altogether. The classic route is the Tour de Mont Blanc: 170km, seven valleys and two weeks. It can be rushed around in six days, but why make a race of it? If you don’t have the time, you can also choose a vacation that will take you to some of the Tour’s highlights, with some serious cols to conquer.
The Mercantour walking vacations, France
Relatively under-explored compared with other parts of the French Alps, Mercantour National Park flaunts a diverse range of landscapes, from larch forests to Alpine pastures and glacial lakes. The amount of wildlife here may also surprise you: chamois, ibex, marmots, deer, and even a population of wolves. With over 600km of marked trails, the park is superb for walking. Come in spring or autumn, and combine with a few days by the beach or in the mountains afterwards. There’s a range of self guided and small group trips available; families will love the chance to walk alongside their own donkey.
Upper Provence walking vacations, France
Van Gogh and Cezanne – among countless other artists – drew inspiration from these landscapes. The sun drenches them 300 days of the year and between June and August, the hills are draped with vivid shades of lavender. This is Upper Provence, and once you get away from the coast and cities, you’ll feel that time is starting to slow down. Walking vacations here follow moderate trails between hilltop medieval towns, mountains scattered with olive trees and charmingly Provencal guesthouses. Les Gorges du Verdon is sure to be a highlight, as is the Valensole Plateau.
[Self guided or small group?: Bocage Normand Tourisme]
[Mont Blanc: Jerome Bon]
[Mercantour National Park: Itinerance Trekking]
[Upper Provence: Francois Philipp]
