Books and Maps on

 WALKING IN PROVENCE AND COTE D'AZUR

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IGN MAPS
Michelin Local Maps
IGN Tourism, Outdoor Activities and Regional Discovery Maps
Topo Guides with Day Walks
(Some of these publications are may not be stock items and could involve a waiting period for delivery.)

BOOKS

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The French equivalent of Ordnance Survey Maps

Top 25 and Serie Bleue

Alpes de Haute-Provence/Haute Alpes  (Michelin Local Maps) - 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.

Alpes-Maritimes (Michelin Local Maps)

Les Calanques - Very detailed map of the coast between Marseille and Cassis, with contours at 10 metre intervals and relief shading vividly presenting the terrain. An overprint shows local hiking paths as well as numerous climbing sites for which this area is famous. The map also shows bus stops, places of interest, equestrian centres, campsites and youth hostels, etc. Map legend is in French only. 1:15,000 

Provence No.2: Le Pays d'Aix - One of three hiking maps of the western part of Provence, around Aix-en-Provence, Arles and Marseille. The maps have a topographic base with an overprint for local and long-distance footpaths, bridleways, recreational facilities, places of interest, accommodation, etc. Map legend is in French only. Map No.2 includes an inset showing the area from Le Tholonet to Montagne Sainte-Victoire and the eastern part of this picturesque little chain at 1:25,000.

Provence No.3: The Alpilles - One of three hiking maps of the western part of Provence, around Aix-en-Provence, Arles and Marseille. The maps have a topographic base with an overprint for local and long-distance footpaths, bridleways, recreational facilities, places of interest, accommodation, etc. Map legend is in French only. 1:50,000

Provence No 4 - Camargue - The whole of the Camargue, famous for its white horses and flamingos, an area of approximately 60 x 43 km. This topographic map has an overprint indicating numerous recreational facilities in the area, accommodation including campsites, places of interest, GR routes, equestrian routes, etc. Map legend is in French only. Scale 1:50,000

Luberon Regional Park - Clear, contoured tourist map of the Luberon Regional Park, with symbols indicating recreational facilities and places of natural and cultural interest in the area. The map also highlights scenic and cycling routes in the park and GR routes. Notes on various aspects of the area and map legend are French only. 1:60,000

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 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.

Parc du Luberon on Foot - Guide to 24 walks within the Luberon Regional Park, ranging from 1 hour 30 min to 10 hours in duration.

The Department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence on Foot - 36 day walks, from two to six hours long, in the Provencal Alps, around Digne-les-Bains. Maps in colour. 96 pages.

Gorges, Lakes and Plateaux of the Verdon on Foot - 20 walks, from one to six hours long, in the Verdon Regional Park between St-Andre-des-Alpes and Greoux-les-Bains, including walks in the Grand Canyon area and near Moustiers-Ste-Marie. Maps in colour. Numerous photos and drawings of fauna and flora. 64 pages. 

Le Pays du Ventoux on Foot - 45 walks, from around 2 to 6 hours long, in the surroundings of Mont Ventoux in the Vaucluse departement. Maps in colour. Numerous colour photos and drawings. 128 pages.

La Vallee de l'Ubaye on Foot - 39 day-walks in the region around Barcelonette. Map extracts in colour.

Cote d'Azur on Foot - 25 walks - of varying degrees of difficulty and of duration from 1.5 to 7.5 hours - in the Alpes-Maritime region, both on the coast and inland. 64pp

GR9/91/92/97 - Tours of the Luberon and the Ventoux - A 168-km route along the GR9 from Brantes to Pont-Mirabeau, and a 188-km Tour of the Luberon Regional Park. Plus several variants which together form a tour of Mont Ventoux. Maps in colour. 128 pages.

GR52A /510 - Panoramic Route Across the Mercantour - Two routes in the southernmost part of the French Alps, in the region between Nice and the Mercantour National Park: GR52A from Col de Tende to Colmars, and GR510 from Breil-sur-Roya to Grasse. 112 pages. Map extracts are from 1:50,000 IGN maps, reproduced in this book in black & white.

GR5/52 - Tinee - Vesubie: Larche to Menton - The last stage of the GR5 from Larche, across the Mercantour National Park and its spectacular Vallee des Merveilles, to Menton on the Mediterranean coast. The guide also describes an alternative spur of the route ending in Nice. Maps in colour. 80 pages.

Walking in Provence, Janette Norton - This guide provides a selection of 42 short to medium-length walks in the four regions of Provence: the Alpes Maritimes, Var, Vaucluse and northern Provence. Included are a selection of half-day and full-day walks and information on the region's historical and cultural background.

Provence - the finest valley and mountain Walks, Rother Guide  - The 50 routes in this guide cover the Ardeche & Verdon regions, Mont Ventoux and the Calanques. Families with children will enjoy pleasant beach outings in the Camargue, whilst more ambitious walkers will be challenged with routes in famous gorges and peaks of up to 2000 metres. 50 maps at 1:25,000 / 1:50,000 scale. Translated by experienced British walkers from the German original.

Cote D'Azur - the finest valley and mountain Walks, Rother Guide - 45 walks in the Maritime Alps, the highlands of Grasse, the Estérel, the Massif des Maures, on the coast and in the Calanques. 44 maps at 1:50,000, 1:75,000 and 1:100,000 scale. Translated by experienced British walkers from the German original.

Provence Made Easy, Andy Herbach - Open Road's new, two-colour, small format travel guides, for travellers looking for a lightweight companion to take them to Provence's best sights and walks! Limited availability.

Provence Mountains and Landscapes: Mountain Walking and Touring Guide, Michael Peyrer.

French Alps (Vacances) Chaplain, Marie-Helene,Crouzet, Annie (Cassell Guide) - Containing some of France's most stunning and dramatic landscape and three beautiful regional parks, it is not surprising to learn that the best way to discover the Alps is on foot. However, there are plenty of other things for the energetic to do - from skiing and climbing (naturally), to rafting and sailing, or, for the more leisurely, simply taking the spa waters. Culture vultures can visit abbeys, monasteries and fortresses, while foodies can inspect markets, sample local delicacies and quaff some excellent wines. This colourful guide includes plenty of information to enable you to have a successful holiday whatever your interests.

Village Walks: Provence and Cote D'Azur, Georgeanne Brennan and Brennan Schrupp - "Provence and the Cote d'Azur" introduces you to the hidden wonders of this breathtaking region. Each of the 50 cards in this deck outlines a self-guided walking adventure, with adetailed map on one side and insider information on the other. Pick any card and start exploring Provence and the Cote d'Azur!

Easy Walks Provence, Luc Quisenaerts - A series of pictorial walking guides from the writer and photographer of the "Hotel Gems" series. This work contains 54 walks showing off the best of Provence. Each walk is illustrated with maps and photographs.

Easy Walks Cote D'Azur East Coast, Luc Quisenaerts - This work contains 52 walks showing off the best of Cote d Azur. Each walk is illustrated with maps and photographs.

Easy Walks Cote D'Azur West Coast - Luc Quisenaerts.

Holiday Walks in Provence, Judy Smith - 31 routes of between 3 and 9 miles, varying from easy family strolls to mountain hikes. The walks are described in detail with photographs and sketch maps, and there are suggestions for more than 100 more. Includes tourist information.

Landscapes of Eastern Provence: Cote D'Azur to the Alps, John and Pat Underwood - Detailed descriptions of 50 long and short circular walks. Also contains 41 picnic suggestions, routes for 10 car tours and a touring map for motorists.

Landscapes of Western Provence & Languedoc-Roussillon, John and Pat Underwood - Detailed descriptions of 50 long and short circular walks. Also contains 33 picnic suggestions, routes for 12 car tours and a touring map for motorists.

Adventure Guide to Provence, Ferne Arfin - For years, Ferne Arfin has been playing in Provence, a place where Van Gogh spent his most prolific years painting. She draws from her experience to tell you about the people, their culture and the way of life. Covering every town, village and city in the region, this book takes you sightseeing in Avignon, shopping in Marseilles, to the best beaches at Cap d'Antibes and along the French Riviera to places like Eze, Nice, Monte Carlo and Cap Ferrat. Comprehensive background information - history, culture, geography and climate - gives you a solid knowledge of each destination and its people. Regional chapters take you on an introductory tour, with stops at museums, historic sites and local attractions. Places to stay and eat; transportation to, from and around your destination; practical concerns; tourism contacts - it's all here! Detailed regional and town maps feature walking and driving tours.

The French Alps GR 5, Martin Collins - A guide to one of the world's leading long-distance trails, the GR5, through the Alps from lake Geneva to the Mediterranean. The text provides maps and photographs. ►New Edition

Tour of the Queyras, a Circular Walk in the French Alps, Alan Castle - A 13 day walk which traverses wild yet beautiful country, the sunniest part of the French Alps. Suitable for a first alpine visit.

Summits for all, French Alps - 100 Easy Mountains for Walkers, Edouard Prevost

Walking in the Alps, Lonely Planet, Gareth McCormack,, Sandra Bardwell and Grant Dixon - This  Lonely Planet walking guide covers the best walks through the Alps in France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany and Slovenia. Practical advice on language, gear, safety, food and accommodation are also included.

► See the entire range of Lonely Planet books

100 Hikes in the Alps, Harvey Edwards - A revised and updated guide (first ed., 1979) to hiking in Switzerland, France, Italy, Austria, Germany, and Liechtenstein. Detailed hike descriptions including distances, hiking times, elevation gain, and highlights along the trail. Man sketch maps and photographs.  

LOCAL LINKS

Les Basses Beaumettes - Probably the most comprehensive guide in English to the Alpes Maritime which is an all year round (300 sunny days/yr) walkers paradise.