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

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 but prices do vary and offers apply from time to time.

Walking in the Haute Savoie: Book 1 (north): North (South of Lake Geneva), Janette Norton - The Haute Savoie region of France lies in the southeast of the country below Lake Geneva. While the region is probably best known for its famous Mont Blanc range, this guide opens up to walkers the dozens of other, less frequented mountains in the Haute Savoie, which are just as delightful. This guide is the first of a series of two volumes covering the walking possibilities in the Haute Savoie. This book describes 30 walks in the northern part of the region, which includes the gentle pre-alps south of Lake Geneva (Chablais, Salve and Valle Verte) across to the Swiss border. Book 2 covers the higher peaks to the south, between Annecy and Chamonix. Both volumes of the guide also give historical background, descriptions of the different areas the walks start from, plus additional information regarding the towns and villages which can be used as centres. There are chapters concerning how to get there, equipment, walk explanations, flora and fauna. Published June 05

Walking in the Haute Savoie: Book 2 (south): South (between Annecy and Chamonix), Janette Norton. Published June 05

Vanoise - Albertville, Trois Vallees, Val d'Isere, Maurienne: Rother Walking Guide. Published Aug 05

Rhone-Alpes (Cadogan Guide Rhone Alps) - Discover one of France’s largest and most diverse regions with the brand new Cadogan Guide to Rhône-Alpes. From eternally snow-capped peaks to pre-provençal paradise, the Rhône-Alpes region has something to offer to everyone. Published March 07
 

Walking the French Gorges, Alan Castle - Provence and Ardeche offer some of the most delectable walking in all France. This guidebook describes a 320 mile route, in 26 daily stages, from the Cote d'Azur to the Massif Central, including a trek along the dramatic Grand Canyon of the Verdon and an ascent of Mont Ventoux, the highest summit in mainland France outside the Alps and Pyrenees. Full of variety, the walk visits Provencal mountain villages, fields of lavender, limestone mountains and the world-famous vineyards of the Rhone valley. Excellent public transport enables the walk to be easily divided into one- or two-week holidays. Details of accommodation, transport and other facilities on and off route are included, as well as invaluable practical information for newcomers to walking in France. Those visiting the area on holiday can sample parts of the trail by a number of day walks. Published Jan 93. Re-printed July 09. Limited availability.

Ardeche/Haute-Loire (Michelin Local Maps) - Detailing the Ardeche / Haute-Loire 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

Drome/Vaucluse (Michelin Local Maps) Published March 08

Ain-Haute-Savoie (Michelin Local Maps) Published March 08

Rhone Alpes (Michelin Regional Maps) Published March 08

Auvergne Rhone Valley Green Guide - Michelin's local writers have walked, skied, driven, visited, slept, shopped and eaten through every tour, piste, sight, hotel, restaurant, boutique, café and venue in this guide. Where they have stepped, you won't put a foot wrong. The Green Guide Auvergne Rhône Valley is meticulously updated and beautifully illustrated with full-color photographs, scores of Michelin maps, and insider coverage of shopping, nightlife, accommodations and restaurants. Published April 11

Rhone-Alps (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.

Massif Des Bauges, Annecy, Aix-Les-Bains, Chambery ( Rando Map) Published June 07

Burgundy and the Rhone Valley (Drive Around)  - This title features the best that Burgundy and the Rhone Valley have to offer, from the Romanesque churches of Vezelay and Auzerre to the vineyards of Beaune, and from the big-city attractions of Lyon to the charming backwaters of the Brionnais. The tours include: a drive through the monumental architecture and unspoiled wilderness of the Cure and Cousin valleys; the sights of Lyon, France's second city and a World Heritage Site and a journey among the Cotes Du Rhone, visiting vineyards and admiring the stunning views before reaching the Alps. No touring holiday is complete without one of these essential guides. Published Jan 09

Rhone Alps (Travel) - A comprehensive guide to a key region for walkers, skiers and food and wine lovers. Published  April 08

Rhone-Alpes 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. Inset maps of major towns have dedicated index panels for ease of use and an extensive legend identifies places of special interest, service stations, hotels restaurants etc in 5 different languages. Published July 07.

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.
 

Pilat Regional Park on Foot - 22 day walks, from one to nine hours long, in the Pilat Regional Park. Maps in colour.

The Department of Drome on Foot - 50 day walks in the Departement. Maps in colour.

The Department of Ardeche on Foot - 46 day-walks in the Departement, ranging in duration from 1 to 6 hours. Maps in colour. Gorges De L'Ardeche a La Margeride Les Sentiers d'Emilie en Ardèche - 25 walks

The Department of Loiret on Foot - 45 circular day walks, from one to seven hours long, in the department of Loire, around Roanne and St-Etienne. Maps in colour. Numerous drawings of fauna and flora. .

Cevenne D'Ardeche De La Haute Cevenne

Le Pays du Mezenc on Foot - 41 day walks, from one to four hours long, around Mt Mezenc. Maps in colour. Numerous drawings of fauna and flora.

Savoie on Foot Haute-Savoie on Foot

L'Isere on Foot: Belledonne/Vercors/Ecrins

GR65 - The Way of St.James: Geneva to Le Puy-en-Velay - Covers the route which provides access from Geneva across the Rhone Valley region to the start of the Way of St.James at Le Puy-en-Velay. Maps in colour. Numerous photos.

GR96/GRP - Massif de Bauges - 220km of trails in the region between Annecy, Albertville and Chambery. Maps in colour.

GR9/91/93/95 - Vercors, le Diois et les Baronnies - 850km of walks in the region between Lyons and Grenoble. Maps in colour.