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 £8.99 and Serie Bleue £7.99.

Hautes Pyrenees/Pyrenees Atlantique (Michelin Local Maps) - Detailing the Hautes Pyrenees / Pyrenees Atlantique region of France, this laminated fold-out map includes a complete index of place names and covers all regional specialities, heritage and traditions. It offers clear and concise mapping for stress-free travelling. Published March 08

Gers/Lot-et-Garonne (Michelin Local Maps) Published March 08

Lot /Tarn-et-Garonne (Michelin Local Maps) Published March 08

Aveyron/Tarn (Michelin Local Maps) Published March 08

Ariege/Haute Garonne (Michelin Local Maps) Published March 08

IGN Tourism, Outdoor Activities and Regional Discovery Maps - An extensive series of maps published by the IGN in cooperation with local authorities, ramblers' associations, cycling clubs, etc. The maps are designed to provide information on places of interest, recreational facilities, various types of accommodation, local and long-distance footpaths, bridleways, cycling and mountain bike routes, etc. Various scales, mainly 1:50,000 or 1:100,000. Some titles will have limited availability - in case of difficulty please email.

Aveyron - Road map of the department of Aveyron with elevation colouring and an overprint higlighting places of interest and recreational facilities. Map legend includes English.

Forets du Tarn - Detailed hiking map of three forests in the department of Tarn: Foret de Gresigne, Foret de Serenac and Foret de Sivens. An overprint highlights local hiking paths and long-distance GR routes, recreational facilities, places of interest, various types of accommodation, etc. Map legend is in French only.

Midi-Pyrenees

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 Valleys of the Lot and Garonne on Foot - 26 day walks, from three to eight hours long, in the valleys of the Lot downstream from Fumel and the Garonne around Marmande. Maps in colour.

The Lot and the Garonne - 40 circular walks, betweem one and six hour long, in an area around Agen. Maps in colour.

The High Garonne on Foot - 40 walks, from one to six hours long, in the Department of the High-Garonne. Maps in colour. Numerous photos and drawings of fauna and flora. 

The Arrats & Gimone valleys on Foot - 23 walks, from 2 to 5 hours long, in the region of the Arrats and Gimone rivers near Mauvezin and Gimont. Maps in colour.

The Pays d'Armagnac on Foot - 40 walks or varying degrees of difficulty, from 80 minutes to six hours in duration, in the countryside between Condom, Auch and Aire-sur-l'Adour in the Gers département. Maps in colour.

The Landes and Basin of the Adour on Foot - 40 walks, from one to four hours long, in the Landes. Maps in colour.

The Pays du Haut-Agenais and Perigord on Foot - 18 day walks, from three to over eight hours long, in the area north of Villeneuve-sur-Lot and Fumel. Some of the routes can be done on horseback or on a mountain bike. Maps in colour.

The Tenareze and the Landes in Gascony on Foot - 32 walks, from two to six hours long, in the area between Marmande and Condom, east of Agen. Maps in colour.

The Gers Departement on Foot - 29 walks, from one to six hours long, in the Departement of the Gers. Maps in colour.

The Ariege on Foot - 40 walks, from one to six hours long, in the Departement of the Ariege. Maps in colour.

The Hautes-Pyrenees on Foot - 45 walks, from one to eight hours long, in the Departement of the Hautes-Pyrenees . Maps in colour.

The Midi-Pyrenees on Foot - 80 walks, from one to five hours long, in the region of the Midi-Pyrenees . Maps in colour.

The Pays d'Axat on Foot - 19 walks, from one to six hours long around Axat. Maps in colour.

The Pays d'Albret

Aveyron on Foot

GR36/46 - Tour of the Gorges of the Aveyron - A 357-km route along the GR36 from Cahors to Mazamet, a 101-km route along the GR46 from Cahuzac-sur-Veere to Beauregard, plus variants. 

GR65 - The Way of St.James: Figeac to Moissac - The second of the three guides covering the French section of the Way of St.James from Le Puy, covering a 157-km route from Figeac to Moisac. The guide also includes a 205-km walk along the GR652 from Goudon to La Romieu. Maps in colour.

GR65 - The Way of St.James: Moissac to Roncevaux - The last of the three guides covering the French part of the Way of St.James from Le Puy to Santiago de Compostella: this covers the 345-km section from Moissac to Roncevaux. Maps in colour. Numerous photos.

GR10/GRP - Pyrenees Ariegeoises: Val du Garbet - A mid section of the GR10 along the Pyrenees from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean: this covers 335km between Melles a Merens-les-Vals, with some detours. Maps in colour.

Pyrenees Occidentales GR10 PNR Hendaye-Arrens

Pyrenees 2: French Central Pyrenees - the finest valley and mountain walks. Rother Guide - 50 walks in the French Central Pyreneees, from Arren to Seix. 50 maps at 1:25,000, 1:50,000 and 1:75,000 scale. Translated by experienced British walkers from the German original. Published July 03

Pyrenees and Andorra Rough Guide Map - The Pyrennes is one of Europe's most spectacular mountain regions with attractions and activities ranging from the magnificent Cathar castles in the eastern Pyrenees to the high-altitude lakes and hiking opportunities on offer throughout. The Rough Guide map will make exploring the region by car that much simpler with information on all the routes from the main roads to unsurfaced tracks. The map pinpoints the location of many attractions and places of interest, including spas, Romanesque churches, castles and outstanding natural features. As with all the maps in the Rough Guides series, this map is made of rip-proof, waterproof Polyart paper, durable enough to survive a trip spent in the car glove box or rucksack. Published May 05

Trekking in the Pyrenees, Douglas Streatfield-James -  Contains all the main trails along the France-Spain border from the famous GR10 coast to coast hike and most scenic sections of the GR11, to many shorter routes. 80 route maps include walking times and places to stay. Published Feb 05

Walks and Climbs in the Pyrenees, Kev Reynolds - This guide provides an introduction to the Pyrenees. It offers suggestions for 170 walks, multi-day tours and moderate ascents of some of the principal summits of the Central or High Pyrenees, and includes the Pyrenean High Route - one of the most challenging mountain treks of all. Published Feb 08

Backpacks, Boots and Baguettes, A Walk in the Pyrenees, Simon Calder & Mick Webb - The Pyrenees stretches 900 kilometres, from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean coasts, and provides some of the most breathtakingly beautiful landscape to be found in Europe. This rocky ridge rides the cusp between three cultures: French, Spanish and Basque - each having its own rich and passionately defended identity - and every year tens of thousands of visitors sample its unique delights. TV presenter Simon Calder is an enthusiastic fan of this spectacular mountain range and, being a keen walker, delights in the well-plotted hiking routes that traverse the region. Along with friend and colleague, BBC radio producer Mick Webb, he steps out to conquer the roof of the Pyrenees. They follow the time-honoured tradition of walking the G10, the preferred route of the fiercely independent -and, at times eccentric - French Ramblers' Federation. Testing a hiker's emotional resilience as keenly as his walking boots, the G10 is not for the faint-hearted. Weaving an occasionally treacherous, always exhilarating trajectory through a landscape of strong traditions and strange animals, Calder and Webb narrate an eventful and humorous travelogue that will delight keen hikers and armchair travellers alike. Published Dec 04

The Way of St. James: France, 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. Published Nov 03

Midi Pyrenees (AA Road Map France) - This fully updated touring map from the AA and IGN, France's Official Mapping Agency, is all you need for motoring through Midi Pyrenees. It is presented in a slimline format with durable plastic cover, with an extra large scale and fully updated speed camera sites. The map combines clear design and an easy-to-read scale with more road detail to ensure that you never lose your way. New Edition Feb 09

Midi Pyrenees (Michelin Regional Maps) Published March 08

Midi-Pyrenees Berlitz Motoring Map - These Motoring Maps give first time drivers and seasoned motorists alike the added confidence to drive in France. They are fully indexed with clear, detailed mapping and include distance indicators. Quick-reference, look-up panels include essential travel information from driving regulations and emergency telephone numbers to key French phrases. Published July 07

Pyrenees, Landscape Series, Paul Jenner & Christine Smith - Pocket-sized full-colour motoring and walking guides with fold-out touring maps and large-scale topographical walking maps. Published June 08

Rough Guide to the Pyrenees - The Rough Guide to the Pyrenees is the only guidebook available to the entire region, covering both the French and Spanish sides of this spectacular region, from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. A full-colour section introduces the author's pick of the attractions, from relaxing in the picturesque spa towns to watching the Tour de France wind up the mountains. There are detailed listings of the best places to eat, drink and stay, from boutique hotels in Biarritz to the most remote mountain refuges. For the outdoor enthusiast there are exhaustive accounts of the walking and climbing routes available and information on the host of other activities available, including skiing, paragliding, rafting, cycling and horse riding. There is also expansive coverage of all the cultural highlights including the prehistoric cave art at Ariege and an accessible history of the region from prehistory to the current day. Published Aug 07

Through the French Pyrenees, The GR10 Trail, Paul Lucia - The 900km of footpath, lane and trackway which link the Atlantic coast with the Mediterranean have created one of the finest long-distance routes in France. GR10, the so-called Sentier des Pyrenees, is a walk of epic proportions, routed as it is along the north flank of a majical range of mountains. Unlike it's counterpart the GR11 on the Spanish side, the GR10 actively seeks out a number of villages lying snugly at the foot of the mountains. Published Nov 04

Pyrenees and Gascony, Pascal de Cugnac - This colourful holiday guide explores the regions via typical themes with specialist maps pinpointing the best places to pursue popular holiday interests such as the best chateaux, the best views, the best walks. The guide also divides the region into smaller areas and recommends towns, villages, areas of natural beauty and monuments and attractions. The guide is packed with over 350 things to do and see, suitable for all ages and includes discount vouchers offering reductions on entry fees to attraction described within the guide and money off local goods. Published June 00

Pyrenean Haute Route: A High-level Trail, Ton Joosten - The Pyrenean High Level Route takes the highest possible route through the centre of the Pyrenees, crossing the French/Spanish border many times. It is probably the most beautiful, spectacular and challenging walk in the Pyrenees, and this new guide from Ton Joosten breaks the unwaymarked 800km route into 42 stages in five groups. Published Oct 04. New edition May 09

The Pyrenees: The High Pyrenees from the Cirque De Lescun to the Carlit Massif, Kev Reynolds - An extensive introduction gives all the practical advice and information needed for planning a trip. It offers a background to the mountains and their exploration, and provides a snapshot of the range with sections that help the reader focus on specific areas of activity, and suggests where best to exercise that activity. It also lists all the Pyrenean 3000m summits and their location. Published June 04

Gascony and the Pyrenees (Cadogan Guide) - Cadogan’ s stunning guide to Gascony and the Pyrenees takes you deep into a fascinating region that is home to both Gascons and Basques. This is a place for lazy touring and with Cadogan as your guide, you’ ll be able to meander through the beautiful scenery and find the perfect village restaurant where "madame" will cook you up a hearty plate of game or duck that Parisians would die for. Published May 07

Lot: Travels Through a Limestone Landscape in SouthWest France, Helen Martin - Writing with insight and affection about an area she has known for more than forty years, the author introduces you to a glorious land of thyme-scented limestone uplands and orchid-filled meadows, of meandering rivers and ancient farmsteads, golden and drowsing in the afternoon sun. Here, too, you’ll discover the dramatic, cliff-hanging villages of St-Cirq-Lapopie and Rocamadour, the fortified mediaeval bridge of Cahors, the awe-inspiring cave art of Pech Merle and much more. Published March 08