A Walker’s Discovery of France
I have just completed a walk around the circumference of France – 4,000 miles in total.
My walk took me from the Pyrenees, across the Languedoc, Cevennes & Ardeche to the Rhone & the Alps of Provence . I then walked north through the Alps, the Jura and the Vosges mountains in Alsace to Northern France. I turned west to the Channel Coast & Normandy and walked through Brittany to reach South West France and the Pyrenees again.
In the course of my walk I met some fascinating people and witnessed the stunning variety of France’s regions. The aim of this new web site is to share my experiences with everyone who loves France and enjoys an adventure on foot. I have divided my walk up into sections. Each one contains highlights of the region, extracts from my diary, details of the walk itself with a map, a list of maps and guides, photos and favourite places to stay with web site links where known. Links to other web sites are included in “Practical Advice”.
My Favourite Walk on the Times Web Site
I have often been asked which region I enjoyed the most. I have walked many memorable stretches but my personal choice is the trail joining Mont Aigoual to Mont Lozere in the Cevennes. I describe this walk on the Times Travel web site - http://www.thetimes.co.uk . Click on Life and then on Travel. The Times is a paying web site.
The Times Green Spaces
I was named a runner-up in the Times Green Spaces travel writing competition 2009. To read my article go to: www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/holiday_type/green_travel/article6932330.ece
I want to hear from you
Send me a message from this site. Post your comments or add your own experiences walking in France by joining my group on Walking around France on www.facebook.com or by visiting my group Walking around France on www.lonelyplanet.com/groups
Links
You will find links to other sites under Practical Advice and also in the Accommodation section of each walk.
Visit http://www.walkmag.co.uk the internet magazine of the Ramblers' Association in the UK. A blog of my walk is featured on the front page and it will change every fortnight, picking out interesting items from the different stages of my journey. The magazine also has lots of other features for walkers. I have been a Rambler for many years and recommend membership highly.
Visit the web site of the French Walkers' Association (in French) http://www.ffrandonnee.fr or FAQs http://www.ffrandonnee.fr/faq/1336/2/tour-france-gr.aspx. You will find lots of useful tips and a description of my web site .
For some very useful general information about France as a whole visit The Regions of France - About-France.com
Support Help for Heroes
Ollie Gill is running a series of ten marathons through the battlefields of Northern France to raise money for Help for Heroes. He contacted me on this site to ask advice about his route. Help for Heroes provides much needed support for British servicemen and women wounded in areas of conflict like Afghanistan. Please support Ollie's splendid effort with a donation - www.bmycharity.com/OMGmarathons2010.