Walking/Cycling

Known as the Monkey Bridges, scale the mountains using over hangings and bridges along the rocky route sites of the Via Ferratas in Franche-Comté. These challenges are perfect for all the family adding that bit of fun and sport to the rugged but impressive scenery.

In 1993, Françoise Radet-Mannerkorpi, a painter, having lived in Finland for 20 years, created this garden, situated at the foot of a 13^th Century church in a small village in the Marne Valley, and turned it into a romantic garden with a remarkable, flower bedecked kitchen garden.

Lorraine has two impressive mountain ranges; Argonne in Meuse and the Vosges. The region also boasts areas of lower hills, namely the Côtes de Meuse and Côtes de Toul which overlook a delightful landscape of vineyards and Mirabelle plum orchards.

The French are mad about cycling and France, with its wide open spaces, is the ideal place to enjoy the sport. Look no further than Nord-Pas-de-Calais where 60 sign-posted cycle routes wend their way through pretty towns and villages on peaceful roads.

There are many reasons for a stroll in Paris Ile de France, from the buildings to the shopping and people. Rambling around just to look at the architecture is worthwhile. A lot of Parisian structures were setting their feet firmly in the new century long before the curtains were drawn on the previous one.

If you prefer to cycle, no problem: hiring a bike is child's play, and for the last few years the capital has been making cycling a priority. Some of Paris Il de France parks allow bikes so that you can enjoy a cycle while still in the city. Outside there are multiple routs that take you through the beautiful countryside.

Walking is the best way to explore the true Corsica. Wonder at the fortified granite houses and shepherds’ dry-stone shelters, bathe in the pure water pools that have formed in the rocks from waterfalls, and enjoy the magnificent landscapes in the forests where you may see one of the island’s semi-wild pigs, the bearded vulture or the moufflon.

Whatever your level of experience, a dense network of sign-posted paths along the hilltops of Vosges provides an easy way of getting close to a well-preserved natural environment full of flowers such as lilies, orchids, digitalis, arnica and sundew or unexpected wildlife such as mountain goats.

Quiet country roads, forest tracks and dedicated cycle paths make cycling an absolute pleasure in Normandy. If you prefer not to take your own bikes with you there are many cycle hire centres throughout the region, and in some cases hotels and Chambres d’Hôtes will lend you bikes and helmets so that you can explore the local area.

The Franche-Comté region has marked out thousands of kilometres of paths for walking. There are many options from tracks abounding with flower beds, the stony paths of the Jurassic heights to the flowing waters of Haut-Doubs. Take your time to discover the local flora and fauna and landscapes, from lakes to forests to peaks and valleys.

Rambling and hiking are popular pastimes as Normandy provides hundreds of miles of hiking and recreational trails for people to explore the countryside at leisure.

Leaving the towns, there are 343,000 hectares of forests! Through the forests of Chantilly, Compiègne, Retz, Saint-Gobain, Halatte, Crécy or Ermenonville, with a walkers' map, the official hiking trails are obvious, leading to royal boundary markers, a mysterious cross, menhir or a spinning stone are just some of the legends that please children.

Whether you’re an experienced cyclist or a leisure rider, the Western Loire has plenty of surprises in store for you. All along the sign-posted bike trail, you can marvel at the stunning Loire countryside, visit chateaux and abbeys, stroll through quaint little towns and cycle through vineyards.

Normandy is a horticultural heaven and boasts an extraordinary number of parks and gardens open to the public. A wide range of garden styles are displayed, from simple cottage gardens to grand, formal schemes via walled kitchen gardens, botanical collections, subtropical plantations, landscaped “English” style gardens and authentic French Gardens.

The most evocative image of Brittany is a high cliff battered by waves, even though this type of landscape is not continuous along the entire coastline. However, the whole of the peninsula is bordered by rocky coastal outcrops which vary in colour and shape from north to south.

Whether you're a sports fanatic or simply looking for a change, why not discover Alsace on foot! The region offers many hiking and rambling trails, from the Vosges hills to the banks of the Rhine, and throughout the Alsatian plain.

The natural environment is Lorraine’s trump card but the variety of landscapes is just one ingredient. Even more important is the quality and sheer density of natural beauty spots. There are three regional country parks lying wholly or partly within Lorraine.

The park of Valgenceuse chateau, in Senlis, a few kilometres from Paris, is a haven of peace and tranquillity where it is a pleasure to stroll around in the footsteps of the greats.

With four Regional Natural Parks to choose from in Normandy, you will be spoilt for choice, space and scenery. Natural environments are protected and preserved in these splendid parks, with fabulous views of forests, valleys or maritime wetlands with extensive wildlife.

UNESCO has inscribed the routes to Santiago de Compostela on the World Heritage List. The region boasts three of the main routes leading to Compostela, the routes of Puy-en-Velay, Arles and the foothills of the Pyrenees, all of which are dotted with comfortable self-catering cottages and friendly hostels.

Aquitaine also has various National and Regional Parks such as The Pyrénées National Park, The Landes de Gascogne Regional Park, The Périgord-Limousin Regional Park.

From the flat, sandy plains and pine forests of the Landes to the beautiful lagoon of the Bassin d’Arcachon... Aquitaine is immensely diverse. The valley of the Dordogne provides a sharp contrast...ideal for canoeing, kayaking, fishing, horse riding and cycling.

Escape into the enchanting countryside and enjoy cycle tours, bird-watching, golf, hot-air ballooning, canoeing and kayaking.

If you are a food lover then the Loire Valley is the place for you from fresh fish to goat’s cheese, delicious wines and more delicious local specialities.

An hour's drive South of Paris, the Loire Valley offers holiday experiences to suit everyone. Experience its astonishing châteaux open to the public, many with extensive, lush gardens. Be seduced by 740 religious monuments such as the impressive Chartres and Bourges cathedrals. The Loire Valley boasts a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Just an hour south of Paris, here you are in the land of canals and vineyards, fertile hills and huge forests. A land, named after a river, that features a seldom-seen natural diversity.

Walking, hiking, snowshoeing, sledging or dog-sledding, all our areas have come up with inventive ideas to ensure you don't have to be a fanatical skier to have an invigorating but relaxing winter holiday. In Savoie Mont Blanc, there are many fun and healthy ways to explore and enjoy the countryside.

The Haute-Marne département/ county, is an intensely rural department, which has approximately 3 acres of forest per inhabitant, this area was the birthplace of the philosopher Diderot and is the final resting place of Charles de Gaulle. In the north west of the departement is the lac du Der-Chantecoq, which claims to be the largest man made lake in Europe and is a magnet for bird watchers, fishermen and watersports enthusiasts. The town of Langres also gives us one of France’s most distinctive cheeses, which tastes better than it looks!

The Lozère department covers the southern part of the Massif Central, including the mountainous regions of Aubrac, la Margeride, le Gevaudan and the Cevennes.

Rouen is the Capital of Normandy and the Seine-Maritime department. The city, also known as the ‘Ville aux cent clochers’ has preserved much of it’s historical centre which is now largely composed of pedestrian streets.

Aude is known for its wine, castles and abbeys. Often referred to as 'the land of the Cathars' it is here that you'll find the unconquerable mountain sites of Rennes-le-Chateau and Peyrepertuse. The coast provides a sharp contrast with miles of sandy beaches for family holidays and isolated inlets for those looking to escape the crowds.

Bordering Belgium, the rural Ardennes departement/county is a nature lovers paradise. Largely covered by ancient deciduous forests it provides a fantastic playground for outdoor types. The emblem of the departement is the wild boar (Sanglier) which also features heavily in local dishes. The capital, Charleville-Mézières, has a very attractive main square modelled on the Place des Vosges in Paris (pictured).

Le Havre is multi-facetted, as important a commercial port as it is a popular yachting destination. Its 2 km of beach open onto the Seine estuary, once the backdrop for Impressionist artists who loved the effect of light and painted many famous paintings, including Monet’s “Sunrise at Le Havre”.

The Marne is quite simply ‘Champagne Central’! The departement contains both Reims and Epernay, which between them are home to almost all of the well known Champagne houses. As you might imagine, the landscape is dominated by vines although part of the lac du Der-Chantecoq sneaks into the bottom south west corner. The Marne is also home to the administrative capital of the region, Chalons.

The Vendée throws open its protected natural sites. Between rocky escarpments and beaches of divinely fine sand. Both along the coast and inland, a living heritage awaits your exploration – castles, humbler dwellings, tourist sites. Thanks to its position between land and sea the Vendée offers a comprehensive range of traditional flavours. A comprehensive network of walking and riding trails and of cycle paths covers the length of the coast and the hinterland.