France is just not solely a land of enchantment with unmatched magnificence, cultural treasures and scrumptious delicacies, nevertheless it’s additionally a HUGE journey playground, filled with thrilling actions for the entire household to take pleasure in!
There are a lot of nice adventures available in France, all due to its numerous, 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 received you lined. On this information we’ll offer you some inspiration for journey hotspots in France, in addition to close by lodging too.
Contents:
- Mountain climbing within the Chamonix Valley
- Mountain biking or gravel biking within the Alps or Pyrenees?
- Finest locations for caving and canyoning in France
- Snowboarding and snowboarding within the French Pyrenees
- Finest 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
Mountain climbing within the Chamonix Valley, France
The Chamonix Valley is nothing in need of 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 method to expertise its magic than by foot.
There are over 500km of way-marked trails, starting from light walks via flowering meadows to epic alpine summits. Listed here are a number of to moist your urge for food:
- Go to the Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve. A distant, bio-diverse panorama stuffed with lakes, limestone and wildlife. Spot the flocks of ibex, marmots and perhaps some bearded vultures too.
- Discover the Arve valley and its many trails guiding you thru forests, mountain bases and alongside the nice Arve River, which runs via to Switzerland.
- Uncover the Grand Balcon Sud, having fun with Mont Blanc (and its neighbouring peaks) as your backdrop.
- Trek the Fenêtre de l’Arpette, a average path with beautiful panoramic views of the Chamonix Valley and Trient Glacier. It even has cable vehicles on the finish!
You may be a part of a guided hike, or freestyle it. Simply be ready for all weathers – the temperature can change considerably between low-land and mountain peaks, so plan your wardrobe and mountain climbing gear fastidiously.
Mountain biking or gravel biking within the Alps or Pyrenees?
Mountain biking and gravel biking are an exhilarating method to uncover the wonder and rawness of French mountain ranges, while difficult your bodily and psychological limits via 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 should 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 journey, like:
- Queyras Regional Pure 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 via Queyras mountain bike excursions.
- The Massif du Canigou with its centrepiece mountain rising to 2,784m. Many off-road path bikers think about it the most effective locations to journey in France, due to its sunny local weather and panoramic views of the mountains and coast.
Finest locations for caving and canyoning in France
In style for his or her distinctive panorama and cultural significance, we’d say the most effective 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 (often known as speleology) is a centuries-old, adrenaline-pumping exercise that enables you entry to the underground world in a singular approach.
Equally, canyoning is a sort of mountaineering that includes abseiling, leaping and swimming via fast-flowing mountain gorges and cave streams. It doesn’t often require any expertise past good common health and a style for journey, so could make an incredible day trip for households with older youngsters or youngsters.
Collectively, these excessive sports activities invite you to a complete host of mineralogical treasures, like deep underworld rivers, historical caves, white water rapids and historic cave artwork. It additionally provides you new orienteering abilities similar to roping, crawling and climbing.
E book a canyoning and caving course in France:
- La Maison du Plein Air affords a ‘cocktail of journey’ within the nice outside. Be part of a bunch canyoning, speleology or canoeing expedition within the coronary heart of the Tarn Gorges (a UNESCO World Heritage Web 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 – Go to a website over 100 million years previous within the limestone wealthy panorama of the Ardèche. Nicknamed ‘the underground cathedral’, the cave of Aven d’Orgnac is a sight to behold.
Snowboarding and Snowboarding within the French Pyrenees
Winter sports activities within the French Pyrenees supply a one-of-a-kind journey, with otherworldly views and different terrain. The very best time for snowboarding is between December and February.
In addition to common downhill, there’s back-country snowboarding, cross-country trails and spectacular off-piste routes for all ranges – and, arguably some of the necessary consideration elements, 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 admire a refresher lesson? There are many choices by reserving immediately along with your chosen ski-resort, or via reserving brokers and personal instructors. You’ll discover personal, group and kids’s ski classes, for all ranges.
Finest paragliding websites in France
Paragliding is an excessive expertise that includes hovering via the air utilizing a custom-built paraglider wing. It offers an unbelievable rush and birds-eye view of your environment whereas providing large freedom, private problem, and journey.
France has so many cool locations to paraglide and there are programs out there for all ranges. Check out 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. It is a standard place for paragliders, and so that you’ll discover plenty of tour operators to coach you and tandem your glide.
- Puy de Dôme, a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Web site Chaîne des Puys, is very celebrated as the most effective paragliding websites in France. The land is stuffed with volcanoes, mountains, ice caves, mineral spring lakes and unbelievably lovely countryside. Maintain 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 every 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 residence to France’s most breathtaking assortment of dive websites. Dive in and uncover among the finest 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 Good
- Port-Cros Nationwide Park Marine Reserve
Finest place for scuba diving in France?
Good is maybe essentially the most accessible diving spot in France. Right here you’ll discover scuba diving programs and scuba excursions (an absolute should when you’ve by no means dived earlier than!). From gear dealing with to speaking underneath water, it’s important you be taught the fundamentals to maintain you secure from hurt.
Much more 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 accomplice up and spend high quality time collectively hopping from land to sea (and all these refreshing swims in between!).
One of the crucial picturesque areas to kayak in is Calanques Nationwide Park, with its turquoise waters, hidden coves, bankside wildflowers, rugged cliffs, sandy coastlines and uninhabited spots, inaccessible by foot.
Only 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!)
Simply lease a kayak or canoe, or be a part of a guided tour to admire the true-blue fantastic thing about Marseille.
>> Safe your spot at this charming campground in the course of a pine-tree forest, near Marseille <<
Cani-rando within the Ecrins Massif, France
The North-American exercise generally known as ‘Cani-rando’ is trending throughout Europe proper now, primarily as a result of the quirky sport lends itself superbly to mountainous areas of France, Spain and Italy – but in addition as a result of it’s simply such enjoyable!
Cani-rando is mainly a hike the place you’re guided (aka pulled alongside) by a sledding canine, utilizing a harness and an elastic lanyard – successfully, you turn out to be 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? Effectively, they’re lovely – and so they get to take pleasure in 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 incredible, household exercise, finest loved as a bunch – and the French Alps are good backdrop for the expedition, particularly the across the Haute-Savoie space and its crown jewel, the Ecrins Massif.
Tour operators like Pays des Ecrins supply guided hikes, plus the prospect to satisfy and play with the canines beforehand.
Horse-riding in Aquitaine, France
Hacking on horseback alongside coastal routes, via 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 beautiful landscapes of the Aquitaine area of Southwest France is the right spot to expertise tradition and charming views, collectively along with your equine pal. Right here’s a few our favorite spots to go horse using:
- The Basque Nation affords numerous 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 completely different lengths of rides right here, appropriate for all talents.
- Les Landes is the dream vacation spot for galloping alongside wonderful seashores, round crystal lakes and within the coronary heart of the Landes pine forest. Study to journey, or be a part of a guided tour with Uncover Landes.
5 distinctive outside actions in France for the entire household
On this article, we’ve talked about mountain climbing, snowboarding, kayaking, horse-riding and different unbelievable experiences available in France, however listed below are 5 distinctive actions so as to add to the journey want listing:
1. Stroll with flamingos in Camargue, France
Like mountain climbing within the French countryside isn’t already filled with nice surprises… How would you take pleasure in being joined by a flock of pink birds standing on one leg?
The Parc Ornithologique in Camargue, Southern France, is residence to hundreds of protected flamingos and quite a lot of species of birds together with purple herons, noticed eagles and white storks. You may stroll for miles on way-marked trails and boardwalks – or bounce on a ship tour, shedding rely of the quantity of feathers and beaks alongside your approach!
2. Safari-trek in Monts d’Azur, France
A safari in France you ask? Okay it may not big-5 recognizing within the South African savannahs, nevertheless it’s nonetheless an incredible journey!
Be part of a someday strolling safari within the bio-diverse Monts d’Azur, a mountainous area inside the Alpes-de-Haute area and peacefully observe wild bison, horses, deer and plenty 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 incredible place to identify whales and dolphins of their pure habitat.
There’s an abundance of sea-life, due to the Pelagos Sanctuary and the respectful tour operators who work onerous to defend their marine environments, placing as a lot effort into conservation work as driving tourism. You may e-book day cruises upfront 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 take pleasure in. It’s like a giant treasure hunt (though the treasure is a subterranean truffle fungus, which makes for scrumptious dinners!).
You may discover forests, orchards and beautiful 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, seaside volleyball, archery and extra!
Multi-activity holidays in France are gaining recognition and the Girondine Olympiad course is a good likelihood to channel your inside athlete and convey your aggressive A-Sport, with challenges to swimsuit 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.
Continuously Requested Questions
There’s a lot to do and see in France, particularly within the open-air, surrounded by nature. Public transport is sort of good, however to entry extra off-the-beaten-track areas, you’re usually finest to rent a automotive.
At Campsited, we predict the finest method to discover an space is by foot (in case your time and talent permits for this), to absorb all of
France’s pure and cultural goodness… it additionally retains you match and might get monetary savings too!
You may even mix your strolling with kayaks, mountain biking, horse-riding and different thrilling modes of outside transport, the world is your oyster…
This depends upon the realm 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 Good 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 season holidays.
It’s all the time value researching a number of areas first to scope out any hotspots and/or actions you’d wish to pursue. Put collectively a draft itinerary and work out how lengthy you’ll have to benefit from your go to, with out dashing and lacking issues.