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This is just a quick snapshot. The regions' representatives will take you through anything which interests you in detail. Remember to register.
Eco tourism
- Auvergne: The famous GR7 Stevenson's and Modestine's trail follows in the footsteps of Robert-Louis Stevenson, who trekked across the Massif Central in 1878.
- Languedoc Roussillon: Far west in Camargue… Visit the Longhorn ranch and discover the world famous cattle. Donkey rides also available.
Outdoor activities
- Brittany: Jugon-les-Lacs offers the first mountain-biking centre in France with routes similar to the ones available in ski resorts: colour coded and clearly marked.
- Burgundy: The 330km of the Grande Traversée du Morvan (GTM) mountain bike route is the ideal alternative for discovering the Morvan.
- Midi - Pyrenées: The “Route des cols” is a challenging itinerary cycling 34 great Pyrenean passes, including the Col du Tourmalet (2,115 m) which is both legendary and inspirational for cyclists.
- Nord Pas de Calais: Boris bikes have made their way to Lille with their own VéLille! To be extended progressively to Roubaix, Tourcoing and Villeneuve d’Ascq.
- Rhône - Alpes: Opening of the mountain bike season at Vercors’s Mountain bike park and 25th anniversary of the first Mountain Bile World Championship at the Big Bike Festival.
- Savoie Mont Blanc: One of the best mountain biking spot of the region is probably The Portes du Soleil. New dedicated areas such as at Les Saisies and Beaufort are also being developed.
- Dordogne Valley: Canoe-kayak on the Dordogne River, leaving Argentat towards Souillac.
- Var: Set in unspoiled breathtaking scenery, the Verdon Grand Canyon is Europe's largest canyon and the stage for many exciting sporting activities, on the water and the rocks, in the air and on the walking paths. Unforgettable!
Unusual
- Normandy: The Domaine ‘Rêve de Bisons’ provides tours of their grounds in a military 4x4 to meet the 200 bison that live there; also features the possibility to sleep in a tipi.
- Riviera: Artificial ice-fall climb with introductory lessons by a mountain guide, equipped with crampons, ice axes, harnesses and helmets in St Martin Vésubie.
This is just a quick snapshot. The regions' representatives will take you through anything which interests you in detail. Remember to register.
Eco tourism
- Auvergne: Discover the grandiose plateaus, valleys, mountains and forests of the 2,500 km2 Monts du Cantal, Europe's biggest volcanic landscape.
- Languedoc Roussillon: Take on the historical 250 kms GR70 trail followed by R.L Stevenson in his book "Travel with a donkey in the Cevennes".
- Limousin: Discover Limousin’s beautiful and varied landscapes: a stroll in one of the two Nature Parks, a canoe ride down the Dordogne River, see wolves at the sanctuary, or fishing.
- Marseilles: The Calanques National Park will be created in 2012 and will thus become European’s largest National Park encompassing sea, land and peri-urban areas. Thanks to this classification the 5000 hectares massif will benefit from added protection.
- Rhône-Alpes: Guests at Nicolas Vanier’s eco camp can try dog-sledding, ski joëring, snow-shoeing and hiking. Tipi, wooden chalets, solar heating and locally-grown food are on offer.
Outdoor activities
- Dordogne Valley: Unforgettable day spent discovering the Dordogne region on a canoe-kayak from Argentat towards Souillac, in a hot air balloon or by simply hiking.
- Midi-Pyrénées: Cycle on the attractive green route of the canal de Garonne from Toulouse to Moissac, along 74 kms of traffic-free routes, taking you through the beautiful countryside.
- Normandy: Discovery of flora and fauna and spectacular view over the bay of the Mont Saint Michel, these barefoot walks in the sand make for an unforgettable experience.
- Savoie Mont Blanc: With more than 5000m2 of footpaths, Savoie Mont Blanc is a paradise for hikers with parks suck as Les Bauges or Chartreuse, or La Vanoise National Park.
- Riviera: 600 km of marked paths lead walkers to discover the Mercantour Park. Protected area of 68.500 hectares which stretches for more than 120km.
- Riviera: The Mercantour Park, a protected area of 68,000 hectares, can be explored through a selection of 600 km marked paths.
This is just a quick snapshot. The regions' representatives will take you through anything which interests you in detail. Remember to register.
Eco tourism
- Auvergne: Walking or cycling while admiring the monumental oaks of the Forêt de Troncais is simply a wonderful thing to do.
- Burgundy: Unique in France, the EcoPagayeurs® route (eco-paddlers) mix canoe-kayak and environment. Families can learn together during a 2 hour course.
- Club French Heritage & Culture: The Chateau de Thoiry and the Chateau du Colombier offer a unique experience close to nature and animals as both chateaux are located in a park where lots of different species enjoy full freedom.
- Nord pas de Calais: Overlooking the sea, facing England, the Grand Site des 2 Caps is now included in the very select circle of the 10 Grand Sites of France.
- Ile de Re: In Loix, in the heart of the salt marshes, an ecomuseum recounts the story of the “White gold” that gave the island its prosperity in bygone days.
- Rhone-Alpes: Surprisingly close to Lyon, the Villars les Dombes Bird Park is a vast area of lakes and ponds, home to over 400 bird species in France’s largest ornithology park.
Outdoor activities
- Brittany: Children are encouraged to kick off their shoes for the ‘barefoot challenge’ or blindfold themselves to heighten their senses at The Jardins de Brocéliand.
- Dordogne: Children will love to kayak on a canoe or a more traditional boat on the Dordogne river as well as gently hiking in the beautiful surroundings.
- Languedoc Roussillon: The Narbonnaise park is a contrasting mix of wet and arid lands. 200 km of marked trails will show visitors at their own pace what makes it so unique and appealing.
- Limousin: Discover Limousin’s beautiful and varied landscapes: a stroll in one of the two Nature Parks, a canoe ride down the Dordogne river, see wolves at the sanctuary, or fishing.
- Midi Pyrenees: Thrill-seeking activities such as skiing and snowboarding on a synthetic ski slope, go-karting, a zip-line and a lake, fringed by a beach in a hollow formed by this former Tarn open-cast coal mine.
- Normandy: L’Avenue Verte provides 45km of all levels pathways through the Seine-Maritime countryside to be discovered on foot, by bike or even on roller skates!
- Poitou Charentes: Oléron Island has a well marked 60 miles cycling network of marshes, forests and running along the sea. Ideal for family picnics!
- Savoie Mont Blanc: The warm summer waters of the 4 big lakes (Lake Geneva,/ Bourget/ Annecy/ Aiguebelette) can reach 25°C in the summer! Water activities and swimming can be part of the family summer program.
- Riviera: Children will enjoy some magical moments going on a discovery of polar bears, wolves, llamas, bison, sea lions and wild horses, all squatting on the Riviera!
- Corsica: In the countryside overlooking the sea, snowshoe hike, ice cascades, cross country and alpine skiing, hiking, horse riding, climbing, and biking for the whole family.
- Var: treasure hunting in the Fayence country for the whole family hiking with GPS Adventure.
This is just a quick snapshot. The regions' representatives will take you through anything which interests you in detail. Remember to register.
Eco tourism
- Burgundy: Discover the 100s years old oak trees of the famous Bertrange forest in La Charité sur Loire with e-bikes to be rented from the tourism office.
- Nord Pas de Calais: Major bird-watching sites can be found a stone's throw from Calais, at the Platier d'Oie on the seashore and in the marshes near St Omer.
- Poitou Charentes: The Maraisthon is an eco-friendly marathon held in the Marais Poitevin, the first sporting event entirely based around sustainable development and ecology in France.
- Ile de Ré: Located on one of the major European migration routes, the natural reserve Lilleau de Niges is a paradise for birds and ornithologists.
- Rhône - Alpes: The Green Way is a completely safe 32km route in the Eyrieux valley, a great occasion for ramblers to discover the countryside, the many works of art, and to understand the agricultural and industrial past of the valley.
Outdoor activities
- Auvergne: Auvergne has been attracting bikers for years. A set of road-books has been published by and for bikers: 1,100 km driven over 4 to 7 days, downloadable free of charge.
- Brittany: The spectacular Rospico gardens near Pont-Aven have been designed as one big floral tapestry and spread over 3.5 hectares of gentle valleys.
- Dordogne Valley: Descending the river aboard a canoe on some of the 120km route from Argentat to Beynac to experience the beautiful ever changing scenery.
- Languedoc Roussillon: Hiking in the Cathars’ country is the best way to discover the various castles steeped in history, centre of the Inquisition.
- Midi - Pyrenées: ‘Montauban L'Estang Golf’ will open in May 2012 and will be among the longest courses in France with an array of water obstacles.
- Savoie Mont Blanc: Savoie Mont Blanc has developed many cycling track along the lakes (Annecy, Bourget) and in the vineyards. E-bikes are available at train stations.
- Riviera: In the lower Vésubie valley, the shrine of the Sanctuaire de la Madone d’Utelle and its restaurant are two of the best known places in the Alpes-Maritimes.
- Clos Luce: Leonardo’s garden: an open-air museum on the subject of Nature that brings to life the Master’s botanical drawings, geological studies and landscapes.
- Var : The garden ‘Méditerranées du Domaine du Rayol’ offers a journey through all the landscapes in the world with species similar to the Mediterranean ones - California, Chili, South Africa, Australia, Asia, New Zealand, Mexico..
This is just a quick snapshot. The regions' representatives will take you through anything which interests you in detail. Remember to register.
Eco tourism
- Languedoc Roussillon: Pilgrims and hikers still walk some ancient pilgrimage routes such as Saint-Guilhem-le-Desert which is part of the Causses area, a UNESCO world Heritage Site.
- Nord Pas de Calais: Local enthusiasts who genuinely love their region so much volunteer to show it to visitors, like friends would do - a great way of meeting the locals.
- Normandy: Eco-tourism trails are available by going on a horse-drawn cart tour to discover the beautiful surrounding countryside, where visitors will learn about the environment and sustainable ways to protect it.
- Riviera: Between the Mediterranean and the village of Eze, Friedrich Nietzsche found philosophical inspiration strolling along this beautiful but demanding trail.
- Clos Luce: Leonardo’s garden is an open-air museum on the subject of Nature, bringing to life the Master’s botanical drawings, geological studies and landscapes.
- Corsica: From the 2,300m of the Monte Cinto covered of snow in winter to the sunny seashore in summer, a stunning protected nature with forests, rivers, gorges….The Scandola Marine Park, close to the extraordinary Calanques de Piana, has been labeled World heritage by the UNESCO.
Outdoor activities
- Burgundy: 5-day hikes on pilgrims roads are available between the towns of Tonnerre and Clamecy to discover some beautiful médiéval villages and buildings.
- Dordogne Valley: Unforgettable days discovering the Dordogne region can be spent on canoe or kayak from Argentat towards Souillac, or in a hot air balloon or simply by hiking.
- Midi-Pyrénées: The plateaux of Larzac, Sauveterre and Causse Noir straddle the depths of many gorges and cover a rich heritage such as the Templar and Hospitaller villages. Various sports activities are also available.
- Rhône-Alpes: It is now possible to explore the mysterious beauty of the region's glaciers in the company of a high mountain guide, an experience unique in France.
- Savoie Mont Blanc: The Maurienne valley is one of the world's largest cycling area, with 1,600km of trails with ascents and famous Tour de France alpine passes among them.
- Var: hikking in the ‘Provence Verte’, through the most beautiful gardens, hilltops, forests, on signed trails, accessible to everyone or on the Golden Islands – Porquerolles, Port-Cros and Levant, located off the coast of Hyères.
- Vendée: “Green Venice” is a nickname given to an enchanting corner of the Marais Poitevin, a maze of duckweed-covered waterways. In tiny inland ports boats or bikes can be rented to explore tree-lined canals and quiet towpaths.