France shouldn’t be solely a land of enchantment, a spot with unmatched magnificence, cultural treasures and scrumptious delicacies, nevertheless it’s additionally a HUGE journey playground, filled with thrilling multi-activities for the entire household to take pleasure in!
There are many nice adventures available in France, all because of it’s numerous, bountiful landscapes and majestic surroundings. There’s the Alps & Pyrenees, the Mediterranean coast, age-old cities, bustling cities, canyons, waterfalls 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 your subsequent bucket checklist coated. In this information we’ll provide you with some inspiration for journey hotspots in France, in addition to close by lodging too.
Contents:
- Hiking within the Chamonix Valley
- Mountain 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 out of doors actions in France
Hiking within the Chamonix Valley, France
The Chamonix Valley is nothing wanting spectacular. FACT.
It’s uncooked magnificence is made up of snowcapped mountains, waterfalls, glaciers, forests, rolling hills and plenty extra. Nature and wildlife thrives in these idyllic environment – and so will you!
In our opinion, there’s no higher option to expertise it’s magic than by foot.
There’s over 500km of way-marked trails starting from light walks via flowering meadows to epic alpine summits. Here’s a couple of 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 possibly some bearded vultures too.
- Explore the Arve valley and it’s many trails guiding you thru forests, mountain bases and alongside the nice Arve River which runs via to Switzerland.
- Discover the Grand Balcon Sud, having fun with the the Mont Blanc (and it’s surrounding apine peaks) as your backdrop.
- Trek the Fenêtre de l’Arpette, a average path with gorgeous panoramic views of the Chamonix Valley and Trient Glacier. It even has cable vehicles 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 mountain climbing gear rigorously.
Mountain Biking within the Alps or Pyrenees?
Mountain biking is an exhilarating option 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 will need to have the arrogance, 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’s so many cool locations to journey, 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 3,000m. Bike rental and guided excursions can be found via Queyras mountain bike excursions.
- The Massif du Canigou with it’s centrepiece mountain rising to 2,784m. Many off-road path bikers contemplate it probably the greatest locations to cycle in France, because of it’s 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 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 (also referred to as speleology) is a centuries-old, adrenaline-pumping exercise that enables you entry to the underground world in a novel method.
Similarly, canyoning is a kind of mountaineering that includes abseiling, leaping and swimming via fast-flowing mountain gorges and cave streams.
Together, these excessive sports activities invite you to an entire host of mineralogical treasures, like deep underworld rivers, historic caves, white water rapids and historic cave artwork. It additionally offers you new orienteering expertise equivalent to roping, crawling and climbing.
Book a canyoning and caving course in France:
- La Maison du Plein Air provides 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 – provides 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 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.
Skiing and Snowboarding within the French Pyrenees
Winter sports activities within the French Pyrenees is a one-of-a-kind journey, providing otherworldly views and diversified terrain. The greatest time for snowboarding is between December and February.
There’s back-country snowboarding, cross-country trails and spectacular off-piste routes for all ranges – and, arguably probably the most vital 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 out of doors adventurers alike.
Ski classes within the French Pyrenees
First time snowboarding? Or possibly you’re a little bit rusty and would recognize a refresher lesson? There’s loads of choices by reserving immediately together with your chosen ski-resort, or via reserving brokers and personal instructors. You’ll discover non-public, group and kids’s ski classes, for all ranges.
Best paragliding websites in France
Paragliding is an excessive sport 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 super freedom, private problem, and journey.
France has so many cool locations to paraglide and there’s programs out there for all ranges. Take a have a look at our prime 3 really useful 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 quite a lot of 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 probably the greatest 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 ebook a guided paraglide.
Scuba Diving within the French Riviera (Côte d’Azur)
The freedom, adrenaline-boost and pure awe that Scuba Diving provides is seldom present in another out of doors 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.
From Cassis all the way down to Menton, the French Riviera is residence to France’s most breathtaking assortment of dive websites. Dive in and uncover a number 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 should 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, and it’s surrounding stretches of crystal waters are the proper 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 it’s turquoise waters, hidden coves, bankside wildflowers, rugged cliffs, sandy coastlines and uninhabited spots unaccessible by foot.
Just a couple of 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 hire 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 called ‘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 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 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 cute – 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 unbelievable, household exercise, greatest loved as a gaggle – and the French Alps are good backdrop for the expedition, particularly the across the Haute-Savoie space and, the jewell of it’s crown, the Ecrins Massif.
Tour operators like Pays des Ecrins supply guided hikes, plus the possibility to satisfy and play with the canines beforehand.
Horse Riding in Aquitaine, France
Cantering 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 gorgeous landscapes of the Aquitaine area of Southwest France is the proper spot to expertise tradition and charming views, collectively together with your equine buddy. Here’s a few our favorite spots to go horse driving:
- The Basque Country provides numerous pure terrain and The Mountain Pottocks, a breed of ponies indigenous to the French Pays Basque, will also be seen right here. The area’s equestrian centres will give you completely different lengths of rides right here, appropriate for all skills.
- 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. Learn to journey, or be a part of a guided tour with Discover Landes.
5 distinctive out of doors actions in France for the entire household
In this text, we’ve talked about mountain climbing, snowboarding, kayaking, horse-riding and different unbelievable experiences available in France, however right here’s 5 distinctive actions so as to add to the journey want checklist:
1. Walk 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 park in Camargue, Southern France, is residence to 1000’s 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 bounce on a ship tour, shedding rely of the quantity of feathers and beaks alongside your method!
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, nevertheless it’s nonetheless an ideal journey!
Join a at some point 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 wildlife 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 area of France a fascinating coastal vacation spot for it’s award-winning 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 arduous to defend their marine environments, placing as a lot effort into dialog work, as driving tourism. You can ebook day cruises prematurely or at a ticket workplace by the marina.
4. Truffle hunt in Provence
Truffle looking in Provence is a enjoyable out of doors 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 lovely delicacies!).
You can discover forests, orchards and gorgeous Provencial countryside in quest of 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
You can design your personal Olympic video games, with your loved ones or friendship group and partake in enjoyable out of doors actions from 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 produce 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. You can simply rent a automotive or purchase ferry passes to get from A to B. Public transport can be fairly dependable in transient areas.
At Campsited, we expect the greatest option to discover an space is by foot (in case your time and talent permits for this), to soak in all of
France’s pure and cultural goodness… it additionally retains you match and may lower your expenses too!
You might even mix your trek with kayaks, mountain biking, horse-riding and different thrilling modes of outside transport, the world is your Oyster…
This relies on the realm you’re visiting and the kind of vacation you need. Typically, metropolis breaks are most suited to lengthy weekends, while a household journey vacation by the coast could also be extra suited to per week or two.
(Your finances, annual go away allocation and different exterior components might affect this too).
It’s all the time price 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 profit from your go to, with out speeding or prolonging your time there.