Côte Vermeille to the Spanish Border
Footloose - 7 Nights/8 Days
The Côte Vermeille in the south east part of France is bathed in warm Mediterranean sunshine most of the year.
The peaks of the Pyrenees provide a dramatic backdrop to this walking holiday in which you explore on foot of the coast either side of the Franco-Spanish border. This is Catalonia, vibrant and proud of its distinct culture, you walk between the charming fishing villages, small rocky coves, craggy headlands and rugged cliffs, below which the sea sparkles in the bright sunlight. Unsurprisingly, the coast (in French the Côte Vermeille, in Spanish the Costa Brava) and its fishing villages have long attracted many artists, among them Dalí and Picasso. You walk from Collioure, the most beautiful French town of the coast to Cadaqués and discover the lure of this region. Read More...
A Ramble Through the Dordogne
Guided - 7 Nights/8 Days
West of the Massif Central in France lies a region of lush valleys dotted with little towns and villages.
The Dordogne and Vezere Rivers meander through this tranquil French landscape, irrigating forests that have produced wild mushrooms and rich black truffles for centuries. Paths lead across rolling hills, through woods and flower-filled pastures, past medieval castles perched improbably on the edge of cliffs and gorges and stone-built medieval villages. Cuisine is a feature and the Perigord region is famous for its truffles and foie gras. Read More...
Burgundy, Wine & Food Lover's Wander
Footloose - 5 Nights/6 Days
Dijon to Beaune/Beaune to Cluny. This walking tour through prestigious vineyards in France will lead you from Dijon to Beaune, capital of the Burgundy wine region.
A walking holiday that discovers the Cotes de Nuit and the Cote de Beaune which are on and off the Gran Cru route. Read More...
Chateau Stay in the Loire
Footloose - 7 Nights/6 Days
Independent "Walk & Bike" in the Loire Valley.
Stay in the refined environment of a country chateau, marked with charm and abundant history, located in the heart of the Cheverny vineyards. Each day presents a new area to explore- such as hiking through enchanted forests or cycling to the many magical chateaux. Read More...
Chateaux and Vineyards of the Western Loire
Footloose - 7 Nights/8 Days
The Loire Valley is the ‘Garden of France’ - featuring several hundred castles, manor houses and dreamy residences.
West of Tours, the Loire and its many tributaries meander through the Loire-Anjou-Touraine Regional Park, an area of vineyards rolling farmland, hunting forest and limestone cliffs into which curious troglodytic dwellings have been carved. Here are the Loire’s most splendid chateaux: the elegant palace of Azay-le-Rideau, the sturdy fortress of Chinon; the chateau of Usse; and the abbey of Fontevraud. Read More...
Discover Dordogne
Footloose - 7 Nights/8 Days
This gentle walk starts in Beaulieu, whose origins date back to the 9th century.
It explores the area south of the town, which is dotted with idyllic villages of turreted mansions and half-timbered houses with brown-tiled roofs, among them Autoire, Loubressac and Carennac, all of which you visit. Walks are leisurely, with plenty of time for lazy picnics Read More...
Dordogne – Trails to Rocamadour
Footloose - 7 Nights/8 Days
Explore on foot, from village to village, as you head from the banks of the Dordogne, along the pretty Ouysse Valley, to the ancient hanging village of Rocamadour
This pretty village has been the destination of pilgrims since the 12th century and a real highlight. Read More...
Heart of Provence
Footloose - 6 Nights/7 Days
Provence is rich in colour and contrasts with vivid sprays of scented lavender, bright green vines, ochre-coloured villages and white limestone hills.
Discover ancient forts, prestigious wine villages and the exceptional landscapes of La Montagnette and Les Alpilles. Read More...
Hidden Villages of the French Riviera
Footloose - 7 Nights/8 Days
Behind the French Riviera’s glitz and glamour hides timeless and forgotten villages, nestled in lush valleys and resting atop rocky crags.
Ancient paths wind through forests and olive groves, leading from one village to the next. Perched high above the Mediterranean Sea the views are stunning. These centuries-old paths descend to the beautiful Riviera towns of Menton and Villefranche-sur-Mer, just a stone’s throw from Nice, from where you will explore the stunning coastal paths of the Riviera. Read More...
Loire Vineyards, Forest and Royal Chateaux
Footloose - 7 Nights/8 Days
Walk amongst the famous Trouain vineyards and through the green Sologne Forest, once the domain of kings, from one stunning chateaux to the next.
The Loire Valley is the quintessence of romantic France. The rural charm of this region is in no way inferior to the cultural wealth of its cities. It’s the castles on the River Loire that are the reason, above all else, why this region is so famous. Kings, feudal lords and ladies of the court, seduced by the beautiful natural setting of the Loire Valley - the ‘Garden of France’ - built several hundred castles, manor houses and dreamy residences. Read More...
Provence - Colours of the Luberon
Guided - 9 Nights/8 Days
In the heart of Provence lies the Luberon, where ochre-coloured villages nestle amongst lavender fields and vineyards, and gentle hills rise to the south.
On this walking holiday we discover the Dentelles de Montmirail in the foothills of Provence’s highest peak, Mont Ventoux. Explore Roman remains at Vaison la Romaine and Gordes, Provence’s best known hilltop village. Provencal cuisine is renowned and you’ll have the opportunity to taste wine from the world-famous Cotes du Rhone vineyards. Read More...
The Cathar Castles - Walking in Languedoc, France
Footloose - 6 Nights/7 Days
PLUS EXTENSION PUIVERT TO FOIX. The Cathars were a heretical set who existed in the Middle Ages. They were destroyed by a violent crusade authorized by the Pope and the tangible remains of this struggle are the dramatically sited castles built by the Cathars all over the Languedoc region.
The area is steeped in history as well as mystery - that the Cathars held the Holy Grail and smuggled it from Montsegur before the end of the siege there. You walk through landscapes of immense natural beauty, lush valleys and rolling hills, enjoy good local food and wines while discovering an interesting page of France’s history on this European walking holiday. These two walks (Queribus to Quillan and Puivert to Foix) can be combined (Queribus to Foix) making the walk 13 nights and 14 days with an extra night between the two walks at Quillan. This completes the whole “Cathar Way” walk. Puivert to Foix. Read More...