Tour du Mont Blanc
One of Europe’s most iconic hiking routes, with Chamonix as a natural base and superb views along the way.
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Here you can walk some of the continent’s best-known routes, including the Tour du Mont Blanc in the Alps and the GR20 in Corsica, while also discovering quieter regions where hiking becomes a natural part of the journey. France offers a rare combination of remarkable scenery, well-marked trails and places where it is easy to build an entire holiday around the outdoors.
France is an excellent country for travellers who want to explore on foot. You will find everything from alpine classics around Mont Blanc and demanding mountain routes in Corsica to dramatic gorges, national parks and long trails shaped by culture and history.
One of Europe’s most iconic hiking routes, with Chamonix as a natural base and superb views along the way.
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Corsica’s legendary mountain route features demanding terrain, rocky ridges and some of the island’s wildest scenery.
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A fine region for alpine day walks and multi-day hikes, with mountain lakes, valleys and easy access from Nice.
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Dramatic gorges, limestone walls and classic walks such as Blanc-Martel make Verdon a true highlight.
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An atmospheric long-distance trail through the Cévennes and Massif Central, ideal for combining nature with history.
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Wide valleys, waterfalls and high mountains make this a powerful choice for wild scenery in south-west France.
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France works exceptionally well as a hiking destination because you can choose between easy walks with rewarding scenery and more ambitious routes that require experience, planning and several days on the trail.
Verdon, parts of Mercantour and several walks in the Pyrenees are good choices for a gentler start with impressive views and memorable scenery.
The Tour du Mont Blanc and several routes in Mercantour are excellent choices when you want more mountain atmosphere, longer walking days and a distinctly alpine character.
The GR20 in Corsica is the clear choice for anyone seeking one of France’s most demanding and iconic routes, alongside more alpine terrain in the Pyrenees.
Some destinations work especially well as a base before, during or after a hike. These four places fit naturally with the routes and regions featured on this page.
Nice provides a comfortable base before travelling inland towards Mercantour, where alpine valleys and mountain trails await only a few hours from the coast.
Avignon works well as part of a journey towards Verdon, where you can combine Provençal atmosphere with dramatic walks in southern France.
Chamonix is a natural starting point for travellers who want to experience the Tour du Mont Blanc and some of France’s classic hiking routes.
Corsica is the island for combining spectacular scenery with one of France’s most iconic hiking routes, as well as gentler walks before and after the GR20.