France

France is a country that needs no introduction—its fabulous cities, breathtaking countryside, rich history and world-class food and wine have cemented it as a European must-see. There’s so much to see and do that deciding on an itinerary will be the hardest part of your trip!

Explore the medieval castles and historic villages of Dordogne; and head to the Loire Valley to tour majestic chateaux, gardens and vineyards on foot or by bike.

Visit WWII landing sites and sample local cheese, cider and calvados in Normandy; and indulge in gourmet food and wine as you ramble or ride along canals and through vineyards in Burgundy.

Circumnavigate the spectacular Mont Blanc and hike its gentler lower stages, passing alpine meadows and charming villages; or trek the high passes of the Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt, a challenging trail steeped in mountaineering legend.

Discover the endless vineyards, fairytale villages and unique German-infused culture of Alsace; and explore the rugged island wilderness of Corsica on the iconic GR20, Europe's most challenging long distance walking trail.

Head to the Pyrenees to follow the famous French Way of Saint James; trace Dali's footsteps along the Mediterranean coast; or pass castles, chateaux and postcard-perfect villages and you cycle along the Avenue Verte from Paris to London.

With everything from gentle walks and exciting family holidays to challenging mountaineering expeditions, our broad program of unique walking, cycling and trekking adventures is designed to get you deep into the heart of France, regardless of your interests or fitness level.

Wandering through the village of Conques

About France

FAQs

Circumnavigate the spectacular Mont Blanc and hike its gentler lower stages, passing the snowcapped peaks, alpine meadows and charming villages of the French Alps

Trek the high passes of the Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt—a challenging trail steeped in mountaineering legend

Head to the Pyrenees to walk the legendary Way of Saint James pilgrim’s trail

Visit WWII landing sites and sample local cheese, cider and calvados in Normandy

Tour the Loire Valley’s majestic chateaux, gardens and vineyards on foot or by bike

Indulge in Burgundy’s gourmet food and wine or explore the medieval castles and historic villages of Dordogne

Discover the endless vineyards, fairytale villages and unique German-infused culture of Alsace

Trace Dali's footsteps along the Mediterranean coast, or pass castles, chateaux and postcard-perfect villages as you cycle along the Avenue Verte from Paris to London

Explore the rugged island wilderness of Corsica on the iconic GR20—Europe's most challenging long distance walking trail

Walking in the Mont Blanc region - <i>Photo: Erin Williams</i>

The walking season in the European Alps is short – from mid June to mid September and many of the mountain refuges are closed outside this time. Temperatures in summer range from around 6 degrees Celsius to 20 degrees Celsius during the day. Afternoon thunderstorms are common. At higher elevations it is important to dress with layers as cold winds and possible snow falls can happen even in summer.

Visit world-famous art at the Louvre in Paris

France is GMT +1 hour, GMT +2 hours during daylight saving (the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October).

French (official)

In most areas some English will be spoken

Euro

USD and GBP are easily changed

ATM's are widely available except in mountain regions.

Credit Cards are widely accepted

+33

Electricity in France is 230 Volts, at 50 hertz. The most common pin type is C. (2 round prong).

Your safety is our number one concern. Our safety track record is exemplary thanks to careful management and thorough consultation with local partners. Our industry leading risk management procedures have become a skill that we continue to refine. Our leaders in the field are highly trained and have safety as their number one priority. Expert leaders, risk assessments, quality inclusions and your financial security all come standard when you travel with us.

Please refer to our Travel Advisory page for updates on recent events, travel warnings and advice.

We strongly recommend that all clients take out travel insurance at the time of booking to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, cancellations, etc. Insurance information is enclosed with your pre-departure information. Please contact us if you would like to obtain a quote for your trip duration.

We suggest that you consult your doctor, local government inoculation centre or a travel medical specialist in order to get the most current advice regarding vaccination requirements.

Money and valuables should always be stored safely when travelling. Keep your passport with you at all times and do not leave it in your main luggage. You will need it to change money and check into hotels. Where safety deposit boxes are available, we recommend that you use them. Keep jewellery and valuables to a minimum.

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