[General]
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►Bestwalks home page ►France Index ►France
General Guides and Maps
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IGN
MAPS
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Long-Distance Footpaths (the GRs) in France - A general road map of France overprinted with the entire network of the Sentiers de Grande Randonnee, the GR routes. Brief text in French, German and English describes classification and waymarking. On the reverse, the whole network is superimposed on the grid for the 1:25,000 topographic survey of France.
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Lonely Planet Walking in France,
Sandra Bardwell etc - Part of a series of "Lonely Planet" walking guides,
this volume presents scenic walks in 13 French regions including the
famous GR20 Corsican Trail and a range of picturesque day walks all within
easy reach of Paris.
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AA Bed and Breakfast in France
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Fully
updated for 2008, the extensive "Bed & Breakfast Guide 2008" offers a
choice of B&Bs, farmhouses and Chateaux in every region of France - the
perfect way to sample France at its very best. The famous Gites de France
logo means that you can be confident that all the places featured have
been inspected and approved by one of the leading names in French private
accommodation. Each Departement section has clear, easy-to-use mapping
showing where each establishment is located. Over 70 per cent of
establishments offer a double
room for under GBP 35 and booking is
made easy with address, telephone, fax and email contact details provided
where available and with a sample booking letter in French included.
Details of prices and facilities from single rooms to family suites are
provided, and an extensive 90-page location atlas is included.
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TOP 25
maps and Serie Bleue
The French equivalent of Ordnance Survey Maps IGN Top 25 maps cover areas of particular
tourist interest. 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) and has a
suffix ET or OT (east or west) The link at the top of this panel will take you to the general list of titles from which you can choose the map you want or go to regional page via France menu for specific titles.
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Walking the French Gorges, Alan Castle - 320 miles through Provence and Ardeche. Includes the famous gorges of the Verdon.
Walking Through France: From the Channel to the Carmargue, Robin Neillands - A well written account of a journey across France, with interesting descriptions of the local people, history and cuisine that the author came across. This, along with the diversity in the scenery of France makes the book a very enjoyable read. Buyer Review. 500 Walks in France, AA Publications - This title from the AA offers 500 walks all over France and features some of the best-loved areas of the country. Ranging from gentle country strolls to more challenging walks. All routes have been licensed from the Federation Francaise de la Randonee Pedestre (FFRP) so have been thoroughly researched. Walks and Tours in France -This AA guide contains 60 tours and 114 walks throughout 16 French regions. It has a detailed large scale route map with clear Institut Geographique Nationale cartography for the walker to follow easily. |
The Inland Waterways of France,
David Edwards-May - The standard guide to the French canals and navigable
rivers includes maps and distance tables for each waterway, giving the
user a general view of the geography of each waterway. Includes
comprehensive general guidance to the French waterways, including
distances and overall dimensions, formalities, navigation regulations and
up-to-date list of hire operators. An unrivalled reference.
Through the French Canals, David Jefferson - Each route is laid out in a simple table detailing the main features (rivers, locks, towns and villages) and where applicable describing what facilities are available to boat owners. There are 30 black and white photographs throughout the book and plans of the main harbours. The front half of the book deals preparation and practicalities, including suitable boats, costs of living, planning your cruise and how to open the locks.
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IGN Tourism and Regional Discovery Maps - 95 titles with information on
places of interest, recreational facilities, types of accommodation, local
and long distance footpaths, bridleways etc. Various Scales
The above link will take you to the general list of titles from which you can choose the map you want or go to regional page via France menu for specific titles. |
The Way of St. James: Camino De Santiago - Pyrenees-Santiago-Finesterre - This is a walker's guide to the 778km Pilgrim Road from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in the foothills of the Pyrenees on the French side to Santiago de Compostela in north-western Spain, and finally to the 'end of the earth' at Finisterre on the Galician coast. A companion volume by the same author, "The Way of St James" (Le Puy to the Pyrenees), describes the French section of the route through to the Pyrenees. As well as giving directions for walking the route, the book also provides information on places to visit along the way, the history of the pilgrimage and the availability of practical facilities such as shops, bars, restaurants and accommodation. Unlike existing guides (in any language) this one contains: details of the walker's continuation from Santiago to Finisterre (75km) and a comprehensive listing of St. James' and other pilgrim references along the way (as an Appendix). It also contains a list of suggestions for further reading, a glossary of geographical and other useful terms, and a series of sketch maps covering the entire route to help the user in planning his or her journey. | The Way of St. James: Chemin De Saint -Jacques De Compostelle - Le Puy to the Pyrenees, Alison Raju - This is a walker's guide to the 740km Pilgrim Road from Le Puy-en-Velay in central France to the Pyrenees. It is the only original guide to this route in English. A companion volume by the same author, "The Way of St James" (Pyrenees-Santiago-Finisterre), continues the route through Spain from the Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostella (or Finisterre). As well as giving directions for walking the route the book also provides information on places to visit along the way, the history of the pilgrimage and the availability of practical facilities such as shops, bars, restaurants and accommodation. This guide contains an outline of the route along the Cele valley (53km) as one appendix and, unlike existing guides (in any language), a comprehensive listing of St. James and other pilgrim references along the way as another. There is a list of suggestions for further reading and a glossary of geographical and other useful terms. It also contains a series of sketch maps covering the entire route to aid the user in planning his or her journey. |
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The Independent Walker's Guide to France, Frank Booth - Veteran and
novice travellers will both enjoy this outstanding new walker's guide to
historic France. Between France's great monuments, marked trails allow the
visitor to enter a world of tranquil beauty. The ocean, rivers, vast
forests, vineyards, meadows and quiet villages will be the only companion
in a land trodden by few tourists. This unique series is designed for
visitors who enjoy walking and getting off the beaten track. In addition
to their value as general guides, each volume is peerless as a walker's
guide, allowing travellers to see all of the great sights, enjoy the
incomparable beauty of the countryside, and maintain a high level of
physical fitness while travelling through the popular tourist
destinations. -- Practical information on 35 extraordinary walks (all
planned as day hikes and are between 2 and 9 miles) including: how to get
there, where to stay, trail distance, walking time, difficulty rating,
explicit trail directions and a vivid description of the trail and local
sights. -- Numerous itineraries: the Grand Tour which embraces all 35
walks, regional itineraries, and thematic itineraries. -- One planning map
and 35 detailed trail maps. -- Easy-to-follow trail notes. -- A
"Walks-at-a-Glance" section which provides capsule summaries of all the
walks. -- Before-you-go helpful hints and suggestions. Buyer Review.
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Walking in France: Exploring France's Great Towns and Finest Landscape on
Foot, Gillian and John Souter - This book helps you to plan your
journey and enjoy the best of France on foot. It offers multiple walking
tours in Paris, suggests routes around such gems as Annecy and Avignon,
and leads you into France's most stunning landscapes and national parks.
Many of the walks are multi-day routes along well-marked footpaths,
leading you from village to village where you'll find a comfortable bed
and a good meal. A lucid and lively text provides directions and plenty of
information and is accompanied by a collection of beautiful photographs
and hand-drawn maps. The Cities: Paris, Rouen, Nantes, Tours, Toulouse,
Strasbourg, Dijon, Annecy, Lyon, Grenoble, Le Puy, Albi, Avignon, Arles,
Marseille. The Countryside: Coast of Brittany, Normandy, Loire Valley, The
Dordogne, Pyrenees, Alsace and the Vosges, Vanoise, Monts Dore, Vercors,
The Way of St Jacques, The Cevennes, Tarn Gorges, The Luberon, Verdon
Gorge, The Mercantour, The Calanques, Corsica. It includes: detailed
walking notes, practical advice for the traveller on foot, a section of
the Santiago pilgrimage route, and a glossary and index. Limited
availability. French Rock, Bill Birkett - Describes 40 crags mainly in the south east of France, but also a selection in other regions. This visual guide has concise descriptions of the climbs, accompanied by photographs with the routes overlaid. Arranged by region, each with an introduction giving some practical advice, on maps, access and accommodation. |
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Walking the Alpine Parks of
France and Northwest Italy, Mercantour, Queyras, Ecrins, Vanoise, Gran
Paradiso - Marcia Suggests hikes in five French and one
Italian national parks, and offers tips on trip planning, map sources, and
safe hiking.
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AA Road Atlas France
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The 10th edition of this popular A4,
French road atlas is fully revised and updated for 2008. France's clearest
road mapping is provided by Institut Geographique National (IGN). French
road names are used throughout, plus there is road mapping for Corsica and
Central Paris included. New for 2007 is a French route planner with road
atlas pages shown. Each page has been titled with its geographical
location so you can turn to the page you need more easily. Static speed
camera locations are pinpointed on the mapping. Plus, there are 32 new
city centre plans in and around busy centres and a full colour county
unitary and administrative area map.
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Short Escapes in France: 25 Trips to Places Tourists Never See , Bruce
Bolgar & Gary Stoller - This guide is for visitors to France who want
to get off the beaten path - for an afternoon or longer. It features 25
detailed walking tours, with maps and details of accommodation and food
for all budgets. It lists places of interest and local attractions, and
pinpoints local tourist offices. Limited availability. Footpaths of France: Touring, Camping and Caravanning for the Walker, Michael Marriot - An illustrated guide to the best regions in France for the walker, this book includes recommended camp sites, route descriptions of walks and how to get there. It guides the reader to the rural parts of "old France", away from the crowded and industrialized areas. Limited availability.
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France on Foot: Village to Village, Hotel to Hotel: How to Walk the French
Trail System on Your Own,
Bruce Lefavour - Bruce LeFavour has turned the practicalities of taking on
a walking holiday into an adventure. The book is packed with common sense,
down to earth ideas - all packaged with a great sense of humour. Being a
francophile I have experienced some of the scenarios Bruce refers too e.g.
eating in France is a time of communication, not a way of just adding
calories, so don't get frustrated when waiting for a table in a cafe -
have a drink and sip the atmosphere. This book makes the planning stage as
much fun as the walk. A great read. Buyer Review.
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If you are looking for a book which is not listed here or find a broken link, please email me
