France shouldn’t be solely a land of enchantment with unmatched magnificence, cultural treasures and scrumptious delicacies, but it surely’s additionally a HUGE journey playground, filled with thrilling actions for the entire household to get pleasure from!
There are many nice adventures available in France, all because of its various, bountiful landscapes and majestic surroundings. There are the Alps & Pyrenees, the hundreds of kilometres of Atlantic and Mediterranean shoreline, age-old cities, bustling cities, canyons, lakes and a lot extra, all providing a huge vary of terrain for exploration.
If, like us, you love spending time outside, surrounded by nature, making an attempt out new and thrilling experiences, then we’ve obtained you lined. In this information we’ll offer you some inspiration for journey hotspots in France, in addition to close by lodging too.
Contents:
- Hiking within the Chamonix Valley
- Mountain biking or gravel biking within the Alps or Pyrenees?
- Best locations for caving and canyoning in France
- Skiing and snowboarding within the French Pyrenees
- Best paragliding websites in France
- Scuba diving within the French Riviera
- Kayaking in Marseille
- Cani-rando within the Ecrins Massif
- Horse-riding in Aquitaine
- 5 distinctive outside actions in France
Hiking within the Chamonix Valley, France
The Chamonix Valley is nothing wanting spectacular. FACT.
Its uncooked magnificence is made up of snow-capped mountains, waterfalls, glaciers, forests, rolling hills and much extra. Nature and wildlife thrives in these idyllic environment – and so will you!
In our opinion, there’s no higher solution to expertise its magic than by foot.
There are over 500km of way-marked trails, starting from mild walks by way of flowering meadows to epic alpine summits. Here are just a few to moist your urge for food:
- Visit the Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve. A distant, bio-diverse panorama full of lakes, limestone and wildlife. Spot the flocks of ibex, marmots and perhaps some bearded vultures too.
- Explore the Arve valley and its many trails guiding you thru forests, mountain bases and alongside the good Arve River, which runs by way of to Switzerland.
- Discover the Grand Balcon Sud, having fun with Mont Blanc (and its neighbouring peaks) as your backdrop.
- Trek the Fenêtre de l’Arpette, a reasonable path with gorgeous panoramic views of the Chamonix Valley and Trient Glacier. It even has cable automobiles on the finish!
You can be a part of a guided hike, or freestyle it. Just be ready for all weathers – the temperature can change considerably between low-land and mountain peaks, so plan your wardrobe and climbing gear fastidiously.
Mountain biking or gravel biking within the Alps or Pyrenees?
Mountain biking and gravel biking are an exhilarating solution to uncover the wonder and rawness of French mountain ranges, while difficult your bodily and psychological limits by way of tough terrain, climbs, descents and different spontaneous obstacles in nature.
Being off-road and off-the-beaten monitor is invigorating, particularly in France – and also you’ve the freedom to take your two wheels on a tour of majestic landscapes with jaw-dropping views.
Now, it’s not for the faint hearted. You will need to have the boldness, expertise or professionally guided help to navigate the literal peaks and flows of cycle routes within the mountains, however when you’ve mastered the artwork, there are such a lot of cool locations to experience, like:
- Queyras Regional Natural Park (Hautes-Alpes). A protected space within the Southern French Alps that includes forests, alpine pastures, glacial lakes and peaceable bike routes with summits of as much as 3000m. Bike rental and guided excursions can be found by way of Queyras mountain bike excursions.
- The Massif du Canigou with its centrepiece mountain rising to 2,784m. Many off-road path bikers think about it among the best locations to experience in France, because of its sunny local weather and panoramic views of the mountains and coast.
Best locations for caving and canyoning in France
Popular for his or her distinctive panorama and cultural significance, we’d say the perfect locations for caving and canyoning in France are within the Vercors, the Tarn Gorges and the Ardèche. 3 must-see locations, every with a narrative to inform.
The artwork of cave discovery (also called speleology) is a centuries-old, adrenaline-pumping exercise that permits you entry to the underground world in a singular means.
Similarly, canyoning is a sort of mountaineering that entails abseiling, leaping and swimming by way of fast-flowing mountain gorges and cave streams. It doesn’t often require any expertise past good normal health and a style for journey, so could make an ideal time out for households with older children or youngsters.
Together, these excessive sports activities invite you to a complete host of mineralogical treasures, like deep underworld rivers, historic caves, white water rapids and historic cave artwork. It additionally provides you new orienteering expertise reminiscent of roping, crawling and climbing.
Book a canyoning and caving course in France:
- La Maison du Plein Air affords a ‘cocktail of adventure’ within the nice outside. Join a gaggle canyoning, speleology or canoeing expedition within the coronary heart of the Tarn Gorges (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). The excursions features a go to to the magnificent Clujade cave too.
- Bureau des Mniteurs du Vecors – affords professionally-guided excursions for caving and canyoning, that includes exploration of the Eymards, Ture and Gournier caves.
>> This quiet, family-run campsite is 20 a minute drive away, between Grenoble and Bourg d’Oisans <<
- Aven d’Orgnac – Visit a web site over 100 million years outdated within the limestone wealthy panorama of the Ardèche. Nicknamed ‘the underground cathedral’, the cave of Aven d’Orgnac is a sight to behold.
Skiing and Snowboarding within the French Pyrenees
Winter sports activities within the French Pyrenees provide a one-of-a-kind journey, with otherworldly views and different terrain. The greatest time for snowboarding is between December and February.
As effectively as common downhill, there’s back-country snowboarding, cross-country trails and spectacular off-piste routes for all ranges – and, arguably one of the vital essential consideration components, a vibrant après-ski scene too!
And why the Pyrenees? Why not?! The Pyrenees mountain vary is famed for snow-capped peaks, pristine lakes, picturesque villages and guarded nature reserves… an enormous temptation for skiers, snowboarders and outside adventurers alike.
Ski classes within the French Pyrenees
First time snowboarding? Or perhaps you’re a little bit rusty and would recognize a refresher lesson? There are loads of choices by reserving instantly along with your chosen ski-resort, or by way of reserving brokers and personal instructors. You’ll discover personal, group and kids’s ski classes, for all ranges.
Best paragliding websites in France
Paragliding is an excessive expertise that entails hovering by way of the air utilizing a custom-built paraglider wing. It gives an unimaginable rush and birds-eye view of your environment whereas providing great freedom, private problem, and journey.
France has so many cool locations to paraglide and there are programs accessible for all ranges. Take a take a look at our prime 3 really helpful locations to expertise this final thrill:
- Dune de Pilat close to to Bordeaux is the largest dune in Europe and overlooks the Arcachon Bassin, Banc d’Arguin and the Landes forest. This is a well-liked place for paragliders, and so that you’ll discover numerous tour operators to coach you and tandem your glide.
- Puy de Dôme, a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Chaîne des Puys, is very celebrated as among the best paragliding websites in France. The land is full of volcanoes, mountains, ice caves, mineral spring lakes and unbelievably lovely countryside. Keep your head within the clouds and e-book a guided paraglide.
Scuba diving within the Med on the French Riviera (Côte d’Azur)
The freedom, adrenaline-boost and pure awe that scuba diving affords is seldom present in some other outside exercise. There actually is one thing particular about changing into ‘at one’ with marine-life – feeling like a literal drop within the ocean, defying gravity and swimming gracefully into the deep blue.
The French Riviera is dwelling to France’s most breathtaking assortment of dive websites. Dive in and uncover a few of the greatest dive hotspots of the Mediterranean, like:
- The Donator and Grec shipwrecks on Porquerolles Island
- The WWII sunken submarine Rubis by Saint-Tropez
- The Tombant Des Américains in Nice
- Port-Cros National Park Marine Reserve
Best place for scuba diving in France?
Nice is probably probably the most accessible diving spot in France. Here you’ll discover scuba diving programs and scuba excursions (an absolute should in the event you’ve by no means dived earlier than!). From gear dealing with to speaking beneath water, it’s important you study the fundamentals to maintain you secure from hurt.
Even extra seasoned divers ought to take warning, particularly with wreck diving, however when you’re prepped, you’ll be like a fish in water!
Kayaking in Marseille, France
Marseille, Cassis and their surrounding stretches of crystal waters are the right playground for discovery. Kayaking is a good way to associate up and spend high quality time collectively hopping from land to sea (and all these refreshing swims in between!).
One of probably the most picturesque areas to kayak in is Calanques National Park, with its turquoise waters, hidden coves, bankside wildflowers, rugged cliffs, sandy coastlines and uninhabited spots, inaccessible by foot.
Just just a few strokes of your paddle and also you’ll end up in deeper paradise – the Calanques d’En-vau and Port-Pin, with their breathtaking views from the shores of Cassis!
(Look out for the superior creeks of Establon and Aragnols too!)
Just lease a kayak or canoe, or be a part of a guided tour to admire the true-blue fantastic thing about Marseille.
Cani-rando within the Ecrins Massif, France
The North-American exercise often known as ‘Cani-rando’ is trending throughout Europe proper now, primarily as a result of the quirky sport lends itself fantastically to mountainous areas of France, Spain and Italy – but additionally as a result of it’s simply such enjoyable!
Cani-rando is principally a hike the place you’re guided (aka pulled alongside) by a sledding canine, utilizing a harness and an elastic lanyard – successfully, you change into the sled! It makes trekking tougher terrain like snow, steep elevations and rugged paths a lot simpler to navigate and makes use of up much less power.
And the canines? Well, they’re lovely – and so they get to get pleasure from stretching their legs as a lot as you do (together with all of the fuss and compliments they’ll obtain from their masters for the day).
Cani-rando is a unbelievable, household exercise, greatest loved as a gaggle – and the French Alps are excellent backdrop for the expedition, particularly the across the Haute-Savoie space and its crown jewel, the Ecrins Massif.
Tour operators like Pays des Ecrins provide guided hikes, plus the prospect to satisfy and play with the canines beforehand.
Horse-riding in Aquitaine, France
Hacking on horseback alongside coastal routes, by way of medieval villages, mountainous areas and in lush countryside is a healthful and joyous expertise. A sense of journey, teamed with emotions of calmness and presence.
The gorgeous landscapes of the Aquitaine area of Southwest France is the right spot to expertise tradition and charming views, collectively along with your equine good friend. Here’s a few our favorite spots to go horse using:
- The Basque Country affords various pure terrain and the Mountain Pottocks, a breed of ponies indigenous to the French Pays Basque, are discovered right here. The area’s equestrian centres will give you totally different lengths of rides right here, appropriate for all talents.
- Les Landes is the dream vacation spot for galloping alongside superb seashores, round crystal lakes and within the coronary heart of the Landes pine forest. Learn to experience, or be a part of a guided tour with Discover Landes.
5 distinctive outside actions in France for the entire household
In this text, we’ve talked about climbing, snowboarding, kayaking, horse-riding and different unimaginable experiences available in France, however listed here are 5 distinctive actions so as to add to the journey want record:
1. Walk with flamingos in Camargue, France
Like climbing within the French countryside isn’t already filled with nice surprises… How would you get pleasure from being joined by a flock of pink birds standing on one leg?
The Parc Ornithologique in Camargue, Southern France, is dwelling to hundreds of protected flamingos and quite a lot of species of birds together with purple herons, noticed eagles and white storks. You can stroll for miles on way-marked trails and boardwalks – or soar on a ship tour, dropping rely of the quantity of feathers and beaks alongside your means!
2. Safari-trek in Monts d’Azur, France
A safari in France you ask? Ok it won’t big-5 recognizing within the South African savannahs, but it surely’s nonetheless an ideal journey!
Join a someday strolling safari within the bio-diverse Monts d’Azur, a mountainous area throughout the Alpes-de-Haute area and peacefully observe wild bison, horses, deer and lots of different species of natural world of their pure habitats of grasslands, glacial lakes, rocky cliffs and forestry.
3. Whale and Dolphin watching in Sanary, France
Not solely is Sanary-sur-Mer, within the Var, a fascinating coastal vacation spot for its wonderful markets, tradition and delicacies, it’s additionally an ideal place to identify whales and dolphins of their pure habitat.
There’s an abundance of sea-life, because of the Pelagos Sanctuary and the respectful tour operators who work exhausting to shield their marine environments, placing as a lot effort into conservation work as driving tourism. You can e-book day cruises prematurely or at a ticket workplace by the marina.
4. Truffle hunt in Provence
Truffle looking in Provence is a enjoyable outside exercise that the entire household can get pleasure from. It’s like a giant treasure hunt (though the treasure is a subterranean truffle fungus, which makes for scrumptious dinners!).
You can discover forests, orchards and gorgeous Provençal countryside in the hunt for your prized truffles and most tour operators allow you to pattern the products, while they share tales of this age-old pastime.
5. Olympic video games in Gironde
Design your personal Olympic video games, with your loved ones or friendship group, made up of enjoyable outside actions like tug-of-war, stilt strolling, barrel constructing, paddle boarding, seashore volleyball, archery and extra!
Multi-activity holidays in France are gaining recognition and the Girondine Olympiad course is a superb likelihood to channel your inside athlete and convey your aggressive A-Game, with challenges to go well with all health ranges.
We want you an journey of a lifetime and are all the time on hand that will help you discover lodging and different vacation necessities. For extra journey guides like this one, go to our weblog.
Frequently Asked Questions
There’s a lot to do and see in France, particularly within the open-air, surrounded by nature. Public transport is kind of good, however to entry extra off-the-beaten-track areas, you might be usually greatest to rent a automotive.
At Campsited, we predict the greatest solution to discover an space is by foot (in case your time and skill permits for this), to absorb all of
France’s pure and cultural goodness… it additionally retains you match and might lower your expenses too!
You might even mix your strolling with kayaks, mountain biking, horse-riding and different thrilling modes of outside transport, the world is your oyster…
This will depend on the world you’re visiting and the sort of vacation you need. For lengthy weekends, select one or two actions close to you entry level (for instance inside an hour of Nice or Marseille…) while a household journey vacation within the mountains could also be extra suited to an extended break, just like the Easter or summer time holidays.
It’s all the time value researching a number of areas first to scope out any hotspots and/or actions you’d prefer to pursue. Put collectively a draft itinerary and work out how lengthy you’ll must profit from your go to, with out speeding and lacking issues.