France map & highlights
France is easy to travel in with minimal stress on the environment – a walking holiday in Provence will see you use nothing but your own two feet and though group minibuses are used for multi-activity holidays in the mountains, the distances you cover are minimal. Self-guided walking in the Alps requires little more than a map, train travel between cities is easy and efficient, and other than that it’s all about natural energy sources: leg power for cycling, hiking, caving and climbing; the rushing energy of upland rivers for canyoning and rafting; and the soaring thermal that rises up the mountains for paragliding.
1.
Avignon
2. Chamonix
3. Corsica
4. Cote d’Azur
5. Dordogne
6. Ecrins National Park
7. French Alps
8. French Pyrenees
9. Loire Valley
10. Mercantour National Park
11. Mont Blanc
12. Poitou-Charentes
13. Provence
2. Chamonix
3. Corsica
4. Cote d’Azur
5. Dordogne
6. Ecrins National Park
7. French Alps
8. French Pyrenees
9. Loire Valley
10. Mercantour National Park
11. Mont Blanc
12. Poitou-Charentes
13. Provence
Avignon
1. Avignon
There’s no question Avignon can become a crowded mess of flip flops and melted ice cream in the busy summer months, but go when its quieter and the former capital of Christendom reveals itself to be really rather cool. Magnificent medieval ramparts encircle the old town, which neatly gathers Avignon’s cultural greats, while the modern city beyond is peppered with bakeries, parks and cafes.
Chamonix
2. Chamonix
There is nothing understated about Chamonix: the flag bearer of mountaineering, it is presided over by the spectacular snow-white peaks of the Mont Blanc massif and is as much a place for uber-hip boarders to down shots and speed down the pistes as it is for contemplative hikers to explore shimmering ice fields, or paragliders to sweep down from sensational heights for a bird’s eye view.
Corsica
3. Corsica
This underrated and exquisite island is a wild outpost with an independent spirit that runs deep. The landscape proffers an eclectic mix, with a mountainous spine and sweeping rocky coastline which is crisscrossed with extraordinary walking trails. And 'Corse' sailing is the finest. See our Corsica guide for more details.
Cote d’Azur
4. Cote d’Azur
Ah, the French Riviera, a fabulously wealthy part of France that sparkles with the sheer amount of money that passes through it. Tanning is a serious pursuit here; the beaches are beautiful and so are the (often nude) bodies that grace them. For those that like a little more oomph with their outdoors, there are glittering seas to swim and snorkel in, and winding coastal paths to walk.
Dordogne
5. Dordogne
A patchwork of countryside studded with traditional chateaus, Renaissance buildings and lush green meadows that line the banks of its eponymous river, the Dordogne has a ruddy-cheeked, earthy and reassuring charm about it. As well as fab canoeing holidays, it's known for its fascinating prehistoric cave art and rich, gourmet treasure, not least ‘le diamant noir’, the elusive black truffle that grows in its chalky soil.
Ecrins National Park
6. Ecrins National Park
France has 10 national parks and this is one of the largest, a whopping 918sqkm criss-crossed by steep narrow valleys and centuries-old smuggler’s footpaths, which combined add up to first-class hiking grounds. Less crowded than majestic Mont Blanc, but as much of a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts, whether you’re a solo thrill-seeker or a family of four, you won’t be short of things to do.
French Alps
7. French Alps
To describe the French Alps invites every conceivable superlative: titanic peaks, ice-white glaciers and sparkling sapphire lakes, but to see them firsthand will leave you speechless. The Giffre Valley, an exciting eerie terrain of towering limestone cliffs sits beside champagne Chamonix.
French Pyrenees
8. French Pyrenees
A bit like the more edgy cousin of the Alps, the Pyrenees has a rougher beauty than its loftier counterpart, but is still a snow-capped Shangri-La for walkers, bikers, skiers and those less adrenalin-charged amongst us who just appreciate a bloody good view. The terrain is great for snowshoeing and horse riding, and the age-old mountain thoroughfares reveal an intriguing mix of isolated valleys.
Loire Valley
9. Loire Valley
A wide, smooth expanse littered with grandiose castles with sky-high turrets from its very noble past, the Loire Valley, a UNESCO listed site no less, is a place of architectural splendour with more than a touch of class. From Monty Python-medieval to sprawling country estates, Chateaus take centre-stage here as does wine, a cherished and plentiful gift from the region’s boundless vineyards.
Mercantour National Park
10. Mercantour National Park
Take a mountain train into the other worldly wonders of the Alpes Maritimes and Alpes de Haute Provence, all part of the relatively unknown Mercantour National Park. A popular area for walking with donkeys to carry your bags, you follow in the steps of shepherds who still do the same, along waymarked ways through ancient forest, up rocky inclines, and along icy river valleys.
Mont Blanc
11. Mont Blanc
The highest peak in Western Europe, Mont Blanc is just so achingly beautiful. It has seven main valleys that feed of it; all lying in its stupendous shadow, and its 4,810m summit is covered in snow and ice all year round. When people talk about ‘doing Mont Blanc’, they often mean hiking its lower regions: the climb to the summit is iconic and achievable, but you’ll need experience to reach it. Mont Blanc
Poitou-Charentes
12. Poitou-Charentes
France’s west coast is where the French head in summer; an area that combines ancient cities, fabulous wine and miles of sandy coastline. From the historic port at La Rochelle to diminutive Ile de Re, the coastline screams variety while inland, the Marais Poitevin is a web of criss-crossed canals. And self guided walking holidays take you into France at its most quiet and authentic.
Provence
13. Provence
The Provencal cliché: wafting lavender; stone villages; smiling people sipping wine. It exists and is wonderful, but the region is actually very diverse. Towards the Rhone, flamingos flock to salt marshes where further south white horses gallop through wild Camargue. Avignon is a cultural hub and Mont Ventoux stands guard like a sentinel over the north. Self guided cycling here is perfect. Go a velo.
Our France Holidays
French Alps self guided walking holiday
Catered Chalet Based Walking Holiday in the Giffre Valley
From
£566 to £730
8 days
ex flights
Mont Blanc holiday, Tour du Mont Blanc
The best of the Tour du Mont Blanc
From
£1499 to £1849
8 days
inc UK flights
Guided walking holidays in the French Alps
Catered Chalet Based Guided Walking in the Giffre Valley
From
£660 to £843
8 days
ex flights
Dordogne canoeing holiday in France
One of France's most interesting waterways
From
£1799 to £1859
9 days
ex flights
Snowshoeing in the French Alps
Guided snowshoeing in the Alps staying in luxury accom.
From
€1396
8 days
ex flights
Alternative family winter holiday in Sameons, France
Feb Half Term family Ski, Yoga & Adventure holiday, Alps
From
£965
7 days
ex flights
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about France or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
01273 823 700
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France itineraries
French Alps self-guided walking (8 days):
Haute Savoie > Giffre Valley > Samoens > Mont Blanc massif > Bout de Monde
Pyrenees family activity holiday (8 days):
Bareges > Bantan Valley > Cirque de Gavarnie > Grande Cascade > Col du Tourmalet > Gave de Pau > Argeles-Gazost
Provence cycling tour:
Avignon > Pont du Gard > Uzes > Orange > Mont Ventoux > Roussillon > Fontvielle > Arles > Carmargue > Les Baux-de-Provence > Avignon
Travel times in France
The following times give you a rough idea of the travel times between the main attractions in France.
More about France
For the best time to go to France, read more about all the different regions, festivals, temperature and je ne sais quoi…
We have packed a lot of beauties into our France travel guide, including what we rate and what we don't. We definitely rate a lot though.
The French Alps are so big, it’s hard to know where to start. Let us show you the way. And there are many beautiful ways…
Like rebellious cousins to the goody two-shoes Alps, the French Pyrenees are all about the jagged peaks, the moody landscapes and the rugged terrain…
The Mercantour National Park is glorious mix of Alpes Maritimes and Alpes de Haute Provence. All just an hour north of Nice. Which is nice...
With approaches from France, Switzerland and Italy, Mont Blanc is a tripartite triumph of nature. Climb it, circumnavigate it, camp on it or go chic on it…
Rural idylls, walking trails, quaint historic market towns and spectacular marshlands, Poitou-Charentes is France without the fancy bits. Just the real and absolutely beautiful bits…
Provence holidays take you into a landscape immortalised in painting, literature and film. Medieval cities, olive groves, perched villages and superb food…
The Dordogne’s eponymous river is its pièce de résistance, winding through ancient bastide (fortified) towns and dramatic limestone gorges adorned with perched chateaux.
France is perfect en famille. With a great variety of holidays too from trekking with a donkey to white water rafting. Allez les enfants!...
We have lots of great France travel advice such as finding out more about camping with kids, trekking in the Alps and how to choose the right gite...
From holiday homes, to hunting and pollution in the mountains our responsible tourism tips are all you need to travel better in France…
Find all of our France guides in one place, for particular places in France such as Corsica, the Alps or Poitou-Charentes. Or a range of activities holidays too of course...
