Landmarks and Landscapes: 7 Hikes in France with History, Nature & Culture

Whether you’re drawn to historic landmarks, serene forests, coastal paths, or rugged mountain trails, these seven diverse hikes across France offer something for every kind of traveller.

There is nothing better than a walk or a hike to truly savour a destination, especially one that is so diverse in landscape and history as France. Many of France’s Grandes Randonnées (GR) provide ways to explore a region’s beautiful nature, intriguing heritage and delicious cuisines. Whatever you are looking for, there is a hike in France for you. Here’s our top picks of hiking trails for you to start planning. 

1. Best for Chateaux 

Think of all the beauty of the French Renaissance and one of the last wild rivers that runs through it all. The GR3, a journey through the Unesco World Heritage of Loire Valley, begins from the river’s source in Mont Gerbier-de-Jonc to the mouth around La Baule. It follows a scenic, natural path for 1,250 kilometres along the Loire through tranquil forests, vineyards and royal towns.  

This is the randonnée for those looking to combine their hiking trip with stops at the famous chateaux of Chinon, Azay-le-Rideau, Villandry or Amboise, just to name a few! Along the way, you’ll get a chance to stop and taste the wines of the Loire Valley appellations, learn the history through chateaux visits and enjoy an easy hike on this royal route. 

Tourist information: www.touraineloirevalley.co.uk 

2. Best for wine tasting 

Wine lovers may be familiar with walks around Bordeaux and Burgundy, or perhaps a quick loop around the rolling hills of the Champagne region. However, for something a bit different and vastly diverse, the Alsace Wine Route offers not only excellent small production wine tasting opportunities, it is a hike that will take you up to hilltop castle ruins, into dense forests soundtracked with bird song, meander through vineyards, into towns and villages full of colourful timber houses and dine on hearty cuisine that is so different to the rest of France. 

When hiking in Alsace in the spring and summer, you may even be chaperoned by the region’s iconic storks that grace the skies during these months. 

Tourist information: www.wineroute.alsace 

3. Best for waterways 

The coast of Brittany gets all the hype when it comes to hiking trails, yet it is its interior that you’ll fall in love with. The GR37, affectionately named Coeur de Bretagne (heart of Brittany), was voted France’s favourite GR in 2024 and the locals try not to tell you about it. 

The route begins from Mont-Saint-Michel to Camaret-sur-Mer on the western tip of the region via an inland route. A highly diverse journey, with major sections along the waterways of Brittany, specifically the Nantes to Brest Canal and its locks. It is a randonnée that takes you to lesser-known villages, historical abbeys and churches, through the mythical Brocéliande Forest, skirts around the picturesque Guerlédan Lake, and the stone formations of UNESCO Geopark of Armorique. A slow and beautiful journey through the heart of Brittany, without crowds.

4. Best for a challenge 

If the thought of being on top of the world, getting the best view of the Ile de Beauté, while being challenged both physically and mentally is your thing, then put this legendary hiking route on your list. 

The GR20, also known as Fra li Monti (through the mountains) is believed to be Europe’s toughest hiking trail. Not only does it provide plenty of elevation to climb, but parts of the trail also require hikers to climb and scramble. Normally a 2-week journey, expect long days in the sun, shuffling up steep paths and a thrilling ascend to the peak of Corsica’s highest mountain, Monte Cinto before an equally exhilarating descend to sea-level, the GR20 is not for the faint hearted, but will leave you wanting more.

5. Best for a day trip from Paris 

Visiting Paris for a limited time and can’t get to some of the long-distance hikes in other parts of France? There are still great hiking trails accessible from Paris. Sentier des Carriers (Quarrymen trail) is a hiking area with plenty of trails accessible by train. An area of ancient sandstone quarries of Fontainebleau, the trails are littered with quarry faces, quarrying traces and shelters, revealing this lesser-known industrial heritage, which was in operation as early as the 13th century until 1907. It is said that it was because of the quarrymen from Fontainebleau that the streets of Paris could be paved! 

Fontainebleau is less than an hour’s train ride from Paris’ Gare de Lyon, making it an easy day trip away from the capital. 

Tourist information: www.fontainebleau-tourisme.com/fr 

6. Best for foodies 

In a country so meticulous about its cuisine, it is perhaps controversial to pinpoint the best trail for the best food. However, no French would argue that Burgundy and the Rhône Valley shouldn’t be on the top of the list, and the established La Vallée de la Gastronomie makes it easy to plan a hiking trip for those who hike for the regional flavours along the way. 

The full gastronomic experience starts by following the Saône from Dijon to Lyon, where the majority of Burgundy’s wine region lies, also makes the best of Burgundy’s gourmet stops. From Lyon, following the Rhône all the way down to Marseille, the hiking path weaves in and out of dirt paths to paved traffic-free ways taking you tasting wines, cheeses, chocolates, honey, truffles and seasonal fruits of Provence and surrounds. There are 95 Michelin-starred chefs, 14 winemaking regions with 800 wineries and plenty of local producers lined up along this hiking route and is guaranteed not to leave you hiking hungry! 

Tourist information: francetoday.com/la-vallee-de-la-gastronomie/  

7. Best for a surprise 

For those who have hiked all the known trails of France and are looking for something different, something that is off the tourist path, they might find themselves surprised by the gorges of Tarn. 

Tarn, a small department wedged between Toulouse and Montpellier, is often overlooked as a hiking destination, yet it is the wild gorges of Tarn that will surprise many seasoned hikers. One of the most striking terrains to hike through is the Massif du Sidobre. Giant granite rocks scattered in the heart of Haut Languedoc Regional Nature Park, as if left over from a marble game by the Gods, is one of the geological anomalies in Europe. This is a hiking area for those seeking out local legends and tales to tell. 

Tourist information: www.tourisme-tarn.com