With its many mountainous massifs, France is a hiking country par excellence. From the Alps to the Pyrenees, via the Jura and the Massif Central, France offers a great diversity of hikes with diverse and varied landscapes. In the Alps, Haute-Savoie is a prime destination, with the Mont-Blanc massif and its unforgettable landscapes on the rock and snow giants overlooking the Chamonix Valley. On the other hand, the walker can also climb the Pyrenees mountains, with landscapes of exceptional quality maintained by traditional livestock farming. Further north, it is the Jura and the Vosges, a mountainous land that has passed through the ages. Finally, one should also mention the Massif Central, whose volcanoes have been extinct for several thousand years. All the hikes described on this page are also possible in winter with a pair of snowshoes or skis, which is an opportunity to discover the landscapes from a different angle.
Browsing the "France" Tag
Roc and Lac de Tavaneuse
20 June 2005 | by Pierre-Alexandre
The itinerary presented here describes a loop which allows discovering the whole site of Tavaneuse. All the beauties that one can meet during a hike are part of the scenery: high peaks, a lake, waterfalls, exposed paths, alpine pastures, late névés, and very abundant flora on the whole course. This hike
Col de la Golèse and Refuge de Bostan
13 June 2005 | by Pierre-Alexandre
The itinerary that I propose describes a loop that starts from the car park of the Allamands, leads to the Refuge du Col de la Golèse, climbs a little more and goes down to the Refuge de Bostan nestled at the foot of the impressive walls of the Aouille du Criou. Note the possibility of climbing the Tête de
Lac de Lessy
6 June 2005 | by Pierre-Alexandre
The Lac de Lessy is nestled in a valley at the foot of the Jallouvre, the Buclon, and Aiguille Verte. The route proposed from the Chinaillon is intended for good walkers; It takes a route that goes through Aiguille Verte before going down to the Lac de Lessy. In the first part of the trail, signs inform
Pointe de la Gay
16 May 2005 | by Pierre-Alexandre
Being the highest peak of a massif of average altitude, Pointe de la Gay dominates a vast plateau and discovers a 360 ° panorama on Lake Geneva including Roc d'Enfer, Cornettes de Bise, and Pointe de Chalune among others. The itinerary describes a loop using paths, starting with the paved road at
Pointe d’Autigny
2 May 2005 | by Pierre-Alexandre
Easily accessible, Pointe d'Autigny is the goal of a hike that allows discovering mountain pastures at the foot of Mont Chauffé. The summit offers a splendid panorama on Cornettes de Bise, Mont de Grange, Pointe de Lachau and the Portes d'Oche
Photos of Yvoire in Winter Covered With Ice
20 January 2005 | by Pierre-Alexandre
Following the cold breeze blowing on 20 January 2005, the banks of Yvoire on Lake Geneva became mere captives of the ice, giving rise to unusual scenes. The wharves of the CGN were prisoners of the ice. The magnificent sculptures of ice, worked
Photos of Lake Geneva under a Strong Wind
14 November 2004 | by Pierre-Alexandre
Lake Geneva is often calm and conducive to all water sports, but sometimes when the wind is blowing, it offers a completely different aspect as shown in these photos taken on November 14, 2004. The temperature of the air was 4°, and that of
Lanfonnet and Roc Lancrenaz
1 November 2004 | by Pierre-Alexandre
The Lanfonnet is the goal of a hike that is much easier than the ascent of its neighbor, Dents de Lanfon and the Tournette. The panorama on Lake Annecy from this mountain is superb. The passage through the Roc Lancrenaz, the only slightly "technical" place as it's equipped with a handrail
Parc de Merlet (Animal Park)
14 August 2004 | by Pierre-Alexandre
The Parc de Merlet, located at the entrance of Chamonix, is a magnificent animal park in the heart of a grandiose setting that allows discovering the fauna of the mountains in semi-freedom. The ibex, the king of the mountain, the lively and suspicious chamois
Pointe d’Angolon via La Bourgeoise
16 February 2004 | by Pierre-Alexandre
La Bourgeoise constitutes a very easy walk whose summit allows a panoramic view of the Mont Blanc Massif, Mont Buet, and the Aravis Range. In the summer, La Bourgeoise is a popular site for paragliding. Pointe d'Angolon, placed opposite, allows climbing a little and better observe Dents
Photos of Lac du Salagou
10 July 2003 | by Pierre-Alexandre
The Lac du Salagou was created in 1969 by the Conseil Général at about fifty kilometers from Montpellier, near Clermont-l'Hérault. The wine crisis prompts the public authorities to envisage a conversion
Parc des Oiseaux (Villars-les-Dombes)
19 April 2003 | by Pierre-Alexandre
The Parc des Oiseaux, located in Villars-les-Dombes, 30 minutes from Lyon by the A46 motorway exit "Les Echets" (15 minutes) or 1 hour 30 min from Geneva and Annecy by the A40 motorway exit "Pont d'Ain" (30 minutes), remains a place of wildlife of a rare quality
