It is sometimes claimed that no other country encompasses such a variety of landscape, culture and history in so small an area as France. Our broad programme of self-guided walking and cycling holidays in France aims to reflect something of the variety and contrasts that France has to offer. From the snow-capped views on the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) to the granite spires of Corsica; from flattish cycling in Bordeaux to the hills of Provence; and the rolling vineyards of Burgundy and the Loire, to the forests of Tarn & Aveyron and the castles of the Dordogne; or from the glacial bastions of the Pyrenees to the grassy plateaux and limestone gorges of the Cevennes. All of these offer fantastic walking and cycling opportunities.

Then of course, there is French village life, the colours and the characters: the fruit market in Chinon or the flower market in Aix en Provence. On top of all this there is the cult of French cuisine: the sauces, the confits and pastries. Most restaurateurs go to great lengths to prepare good food. We have of course not yet mentioned the wines, which we will let you discover in your own time, but Burgundy is as good a place as any to start! There is literally something for everyone, whether you like cycling or walking in France.

The Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson originated the practice of self-guided walking in France and then wrote a bio-guide book on his travels in the Cevennes. Nowadays, using the celebrated GR (long distance trail) network and its abundance of quiet rural roads, Walkers' Britain continues this tradition with two walking holidays in the Cevennes, traversing the vast upland region known as the Massif Central and the valleys of the great rivers - Loire, Dordogne, Aveyron and Tarn - which radiate from it.

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Find your France trip

France highlights

 

Why travel with us

Local Connections in France

We place great emphasis on researching, planning and crafting innovative itineraries to ensure you get the very best experience out of your trip in France. We believe relationships are important and have been working with many of our hoteliers and local suppliers for years. This means that they know exactly what our travellers expect.

Designing Mont Blanc walks for everyone

Self guided or small group; with the family on a relaxed ramble or with friends to circumnavigate the massif; our walking options cater to more fitness levels than anyone else in the Mont Blanc region.

Great Value & Quality Holidays in France

Our active holidays in France are well priced offering great value for money. Included in your package are comprehensive route notes, maps & guide books along with bag transfers and locally run accommodation. When you book, your trip will be fully organised by a dedicated member of our in-house team, so you will always know who you are dealing with. We take the stress out of organising your trip in France.

Personal Experience in France

Our team have been walking and cycling in France for over 4 decades. We are passionate about France, active holidays and delivering exceptional service. Combined, we’ve travelled to virtually every corner of the UK & Europe and bring a multi-disciplined, multicultural and whole-hearted love of all things travel.

Travel with experienced mountain guides

Our guided walks in the mountain regions of France are led by bilingual, experienced professionals who know the region well. Every guide is first-aid trained and carry appropriate communication devices with them in case of an emergency.

Responsible travel

 

Reducing waste

Our Waste Management Policy encourages our travellers to take their own reusable water bottles, coffee cups and reusable stuff sacks to avoid single use plastics. In the mountains of the Pyrenees and Mont Blanc our local partners reduce the amount of packaging taken on tour and ensure all waste is carried out from refuges that do not have road access to help dispose of it properly.

Supporting local

In the regions that we travel through tourism is the main source of income for many local people. We support them by only working with local family run accommodations and suppliers so that your money actually assists the community that hosts you.

Mont Blanc mules

Our mules only work for 3-4 months per year. We have liaised with vets, farriers and other specialists to ensure we look after them correctly. During trips they are well fed in the abundant pastures and all of our guides are trained to ensure their well being. They spend their winters away from the mountains in a better climate where there is good food for them.

Paddock to plate

The paddock to plate concept is one we encourage by choosing to work with accommodations that source produce from local farms. This provides you with fresher meals and ensures your money directly assists local economies.

Accommodation

Hotels

Often family run, these charming hotels provide access to local living thanks to your hosts. The hospitality is generous and their local knowledge is invaluable. Where possible, we choose hotel locations that add to your experience.

Refuges or gite hostels

Used mainly on mountain walks, these convivial places add to the atmosphere of your journey through the mountains. Dorms may sleep up to 40 people and the beds are often bunk beds. Linen and blankets are provided and bathrooms are shared. Private rooms may be available, although private gite rooms still use shared bathrooms.

Barges

Think of it as your floating hotel, where each day you experience a different sunrise and sunset location and you unpack only once. Berths range from two lower or bunk bed style but can be upgraded to larger berths with double beds. The bar and dining area is always a popular hangout at the end of each day's activity. The crew includes an onboard cook.

Chateau hotels

Set on large grounds, these large French country houses or castles are often family run and named after the local wine. The building and rooms are often decorated to match the history of the building, complimenting the local food and wine experiences.

Leaders in the field

Pierre Schmid

Pierre is a high altitude mountain guide and co-founder of our partner company in Chamonix. An accomplished alpinist in his own right, Pierre regularly ventures into the Himalayas and Alaska, and has summitted Cho Oyu (8201m) in Tibet. Whilst at home in Chamonix, Pierre, coordinates and guides many of our Mont Blanc ascents.

Trip reviews

Videos

Mont Blanc Guided Walk with UTracks

Essential information

Currency

Euro

USD and GBP are easily changed

ATM's are widely available except in mountain regions.

Credit Cards are widely accepted

International Dialing Code

+33

Electricity
Type C plug

Electricity in France is 230 Volts, at 50 hertz. The most common pin type is C. (2 round prong).

Visas

In the first half of 2025 it is expected that the ETIAS travel authorisation will be introduced requiring online application before travel. See https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en for more details.

Until then, visas not required for citizens of Australia, Canada, USA and New Zealand for up to 90 days in a period of 180 days for all Schengen countries (see https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen-borders-and-visa/visa-policy_en . Please ensure your passport is stamped on arrival in the Schengen area – note that a new entry/exit system will be introduced in 2025. See https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees_en for more information. For all other nationalities and for longer stays in countries covered by the Schengen Agreement (Australian New Zealand, Canadian and US passport holders), please contact the relevant embassy. Stays of longer than 90 days in the Schengen area require a long stay visa for the country you are spending most time in. However long stay visas are unlikely to be issued unless there is a valid reason (eg. studying in country). Unfortunately we cannot assist in obtaining visas for long stays due to individual country visa requirements.

Safety

Your safety is our number one concern. Our safety track record is exemplary thanks to careful management and thorough consultation with local partners. Our industry leading risk management procedures have become a skill that we continue to refine. Our leaders in the field are highly trained and have safety as their number one priority. Expert leaders, risk assessments, quality inclusions and your financial security all come standard when you travel with us.

Please refer to our Travel Advisory page for updates on recent events, travel warnings and advice.

We strongly recommend that all clients take out travel insurance at the time of booking to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, cancellations, etc. Insurance information is enclosed with your pre-departure information. Please contact us if you would like to obtain a quote for your trip duration.

We suggest that you consult your doctor, local government inoculation centre or a travel medical specialist in order to get the most current advice regarding vaccination requirements.

Money and valuables should always be stored safely when travelling. Keep your passport with you at all times and do not leave it in your main luggage. You will need it to change money and check into hotels. Where safety deposit boxes are available, we recommend that you use them. Keep jewellery and valuables to a minimum.