Top 25 and Serie Bleue

The French equivalent of Ordnance Survey Maps

 IGN Top 25 maps cover areas of particular tourist interest, mainly around the coast, and have a map number ending in T. The maps have an overprint highlighting local footpaths, long-distance GR routes and, where appropriate, ski routes. Other tourist information includes campsites, equestrian or canoeing centres, huts, mountain refuges, etc. Map legend is in French and English. Each TOP 25 map covers an area of approximately 28 x 21 km (17 x 13 miles).

The rest of France is covered by Serie Bleue maps, which have no overprint and map numbers ending in O or E. The legend is in French only but is fairly self-explanatory. Each Serie Bleue map covers an area of approximately 20 x 14 km (12 x 9 miles), with some maps slightly larger.

Both series have similar cartography, with contour interval of 5 metres, except for mountainous areas, where the maps have hill shading and contours at 10-metre intervals. Scale 1:25000

Generally, Top 25 Maps are £9.50 and Serie Bleue £8.50 but prices do vary and offers apply from time to time.

Aisne/Ardennes/Marne (Michelin Local Maps) Published March 08

Aube/Haute-Marne, (Michelin Local Maps). Published March 08

Champagne Ardennes (Michelin Regional Maps) Published March 08

Alsace Lorraine Champagne Green Guide. New Edition of this popular guide. Published March 10

Tourist Guide Alsace Lorraine Champagne 2010, Michelin. Published March 10

Channel Hoppers Guide to Champagne Ardenne - This compact, fact-packed guide outlines the best of Champagne-Ardenne and includes, the main towns, must-see sights, Champagne houses that can be visited, Gastronomy, Menu reader, where to eat, sleep and sightsee. Published May 05. Limited availability.

A Tour of the Battle of the Bulge Battlefields, William Cavanagh - The book is organized in a series of itineraries, giving detailed information on the pivotal areas of the overall battle: Bastogne, St Vith etc. This book works equally well for the battlefield visitor and those who cannot make the trip but who wish to gain a more detailed appreciation of the terrain on which this massive German counterattack was fought. Published Aug 01.

Destination Champagne: The Individual Traveller's Guide to Champagne - Independent Travellers guide to the region and its wines. Published May 05

Reims (CitySpots), Thomas Cook - This is the savvy city breakers' pocket guide to seeing and doing more in the bubbly city of Reims - with a fun-seeking and cost-conscious slant. There are practical accommodation, restaurant and nightlife listings to suit varied budgets and tastes. This book features imaginative suggestions that reveal each city's hidden gems. It has compact format that quickly locates the top must-see and do attractions. Published April 09

Champagne-Ardennes (AA Touring Map France) - Fully updated, this map combines clear design and an easy-to-read scale with more road detail to ensure that you never lose your way. It includes information on toll points, service areas, road numbers, motorways, dual carriageways and wide and narrow local roads. National Parks, ski resorts, visitor attractions and towns and places of interest are also highlighted. The map is presented in a practical slimline format, with a durable weatherproof cover for protection from the elements. Published March 11

Topo Guides with Day Walks - The extensive list of topo-guides to the long-distance footpaths in France published by the Federation Francaise de la Randonnee Pedestre has now been expanded to include guides to local walks, the PRs (Promenades et Randonnees). Each guide offers a selection of walks of various length and difficulty, overprinted on extracts from the 1:25,000 or 1:50,000 topographic survey. The text is in English or French. Some titles will have limited availability - in case of difficulty please email.

Several of the guides listed in the "Topo-guides to Long-distance Footpaths" series also include day walks in addition to the long-distance routes, as indicated in the description of each title.

The Marne on Foot - 42 walks, from one to six hours long, in the Department of the Marne. Maps in colour. Numerous photos and drawings of fauna and flora.

The Ardennes on Foot - 45 walks, from one to six hours long, in the Department of the Ardennes. Maps in colour. Numerous photos and drawings of fauna and flora.

Aube on Foot - 22 walks, from one to six hours long, east and south of Troyes in the department of Aube. Maps in colour.

Montagne de Reims on Foot

Reims and Environs on Foot

GR2 - Les Coteaux du Champagne Aubois - A 134-km route along the GR2 from Villeneuve-l'Archevequt to Mussy-sur Seine, plus eleven shorter routes and tours. Scale 1:50,000.