Rural France—a land filled with picturesque villages, fairytale castles, medieval towers, ancient churches, fresh food markets and Michelin-starred restaurants—all connected by a network of well-maintained walking paths.
If you’re anything like me, the thought of driving through Paris fills you with angst— navigating through the maze of narrow one-way streets, the crazy traffic around the Arc de Triomphe (where cars entering the roundabout have right-of-way???) or the complete bedlam through Place de la Concorde. I get nervous just thinking about it!
You can always let someone else do the driving, of course, and see France through a bus window, stopping at towns someone else has chosen, following a lady with an umbrella through the major attractions…
If you’d rather experience France at a slower pace, exploring the villages that have captured your imagination, then perhaps a walk along one of France’s hundreds of walking paths will be more to your liking.
Walking is almost a national pastime in France and tens of thousands of kilometres of paths criss-cross the country.
Now your most pressing decision is choosing an area through which to walk…perhaps—
- Following in the footsteps of early pilgrims along the Chemin de Saint-Jacques?
- Enjoying the peace and tranquillity of the Midi Canal?
- Exploring the châteaux and ‘most beautiful villages’ on the walk from Martel to Rocamadour or along the Burgundy Canal?
Once you’ve chosen an area, a good guidebook will help you to plan out an itinerary that you feel comfortable walking each day and that allows you plenty of time to explore those fairytale castles, climb medieval towers, fossick through local markets and enjoy the best of fine French cuisine.
With an I Love Walking in France guidebook, you’ll set off confidently each morning because you’ll know—
- that you have addresses and phone numbers to ring ahead and book that night’s accommodation (or book it before you leave home)
- that the itinerary you’ve planned will have you arriving in town the day that the market is on…the day that the château is open
- that you can have your suitcase transferred to the next hotel instead of always carrying a backpack
- whether or not you will pass a café during the day or need to take a packed lunch
- whether or not there is a bus or a taxi that will take you to the next village in wet weather (and what to say to the taxi driver)
- where the next pharmacy or ATM will be
WHAT WILL YOU FIND IN THE GUIDE?
Each guide is divided into two parts—
Part 1: Planning your walk
This section provides you with all the information required to decide if this is the walk for you—
- What to expect on the walk
- Where is it in France?
- A map of the path
- A list of all villages offering accommodation and the distances between them
- My suggested itinerary
- What to take—a complete packing list
- Practical tips for having your luggage transferred and walking safely each day
- Useful French phrases so that you can confidently book a hotel room, order dinner and talk to the taxi driver
- Dozens of photos to help you decide if this is an area you’d like to explore
Part 2: The walk
This section provides detailed information on each town or village on the walk—
- Distance from the previous village
- Population (because a village of 35 people will not have an ATM no matter how desperately you need one)
- Relevant map or TopoGuide
- Tourist Office address
- Links to Google maps and the local website
- Website links, addresses and phone number for accommodation along the way
- The services you’ll find in each town, such as cafés, bakeries, pharmacies, doctors and ATMs
- Market days
- Links to train and bus services and timetables
- Taxi numbers
- Details of all attractions—churches, châteaux—you’ll find in town or close by
- Directions into town from the canal for guidebooks on the Midi Canal and Burgundy Canal
I Love Walking in France guidebooks come in PDF format which allows easy access to website links or can be printed if you prefer to carry a paper copy.
START PLANNING NOW
Martel to Rocamadour (2019 edition)
The Coast of Brittany from Camaret-sur-Mer to Audierne on the GR 34 (2020 edition)
The Midi Canal from Toulouse to Carcassonne (2020 edition)
The Chemin de Saint-Jacques du-Puy (2020 edition)
Bundle all five guidebooks together and save US$14.96
Or purchase individually
The Burgundy Canal (2019 edition)
Bundle Migennes to Pouilly-en-Auxois and Pouilly-en-Auxois to Saint-Jean-de-Losne together and save US$5.99
Or purchase induvidually
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING…
Sam Lees on The Chemin de Saint-Jacques du-Puy from Aumont-Aubrac to Figeac
This book covers a 163km section of the GR65, The Way of Saint James, a world famous1500km pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostella in Spain. Melinda writes a cheerful and amusing story as she enjoys the numerous villages en route with their historical and gastronomic delights. The text is enhanced with many outstanding photographs taken by the author and her daughter.
Whether you are a pilgrim or just enjoying the sheer pleasure of long distance walking in France you will find this guide book a very useful (almost essential) companion. The book is not track notes and is made to be used with TopoguideRef 651 and/or the IGN topographic maps for the area.
As an e-book it is full of essential web links which will save most users many hours of web searching, taking a lot of ‘the grunt’ out of researching the walk. To me this was perhaps its most appealing attribute.
While the book suggests an itinerary of eleven days the trip can be easily tailored to meet the walker’s needs as contact details are provided for all accommodation close to the path. A table summarises the services in each village while the village descriptions start with the details of services available. There is information on train bus and taxi services and even services to transport your luggage each day.
For those who may be new to the joys of long distance walking in France Melinda’s guide books provide a basic packing list and many useful hints.
Aumont-Aubrac to Figeac guide should be the start of your walking adventure along the GR65.
Richard Winter (The Sixwheeler Chronicles) on The Midi Canal from Toulouse to Carcassonne
For me, the holiday planning is an important part of the holiday and generally starts in the early winter of the year before the holiday. Now I realise that this approach doesn’t suit everyone and that there are plenty of people who would happily do away with most of the planning and just get on and enjoy the holiday. If you are one of these people, this is the book for you.
No messing around on the internet looking for train timetables, accommodation, routes, things to do or see, places to eat or places to drink; it has all been done for you, all you have to do is read the book and then get on and make your bookings, it even has a section of useful French phrases and sayings to help you with the booking process. I have to say that as I get older it becomes more and more tempting to follow this course.
Melinda Lusmore has gone to the trouble of taking a holiday on your behalf to make your holiday easy and successful; she has walked the walk and found all the useful things along the way to make your holiday more enjoyable, even to the extent of listing local taxi companies in case you get footsore. That’s what I call attention to detail.
Seriously though, if a walking holiday along a French canal appeals to you, and it does to me, this is the book to have downloaded on you smartphone. I know I would.
Jackie Barnes on Martel to Rocamadour
“Once I realised that France had a walking trail system, I was excited to plan a walking trip in France. However, I was a bit concerned about finding up-to-date information dealing with distances, lodging and highlights of each town. Melinda Lusmore’s, “I Love Walking in France- Martel to Rocamadour” guidebook has completely covered all aspects of travel by foot; from necessary maps, clothing to bring, sleeping and eating options, as well as transportation concerns. After reading this guidebook, I feel very confident my trip will be amazing. Her enthusiasm for walking and exploring small French towns is evident throughout the pages of her guide. I look forward to reading all the guides in her series.”
Joanna Yates on The Burgundy Canal from Migennes to Pouilly-en-Auxois
“As an experienced walker in both England and France, I gave up hill walking a while back in favor of walks along waterways. They have the advantages of less strenuous walking, the near impossibility of getting lost, and the beauty of being in sight of water every day. My last walk in France was along the Burgundy Canal, between Pouilly-en-Auxois and Dijon. I enjoyed it so much I wanted to walk more of the canal and that’s when I discovered Melinda’s website and her guide for the route I was about to plan for myself.
I know how many planning elements must come together for a successful long-distance walk and after reading Melinda’s guide, it’s clear she knows, too. It will benefit both novice and experienced walkers, is well-organized with all the bases covered and beautifully illustrated for inspiration.
You’ve saved me a great deal of work, Melinda, and done it so much better than I could have myself. Many thanks.”
Barbara Reid on The Chemin de Saint-Jacques du-Puy from Aumont-Aubrac to Figeac and Figeac to Cahors
“I thoroughly enjoyed reading your guidebook. I am most impressed with the information packed pages on each individual town along the way; the efficient list of facilities would be most helpful. The inclusion of relevant websites on each area is good—it saves doing a lot of research and reinventing the wheel.”
Coral Hoggett on The Burgundy Canal from Migennes to Pouilly-en-Auxois and Pouilly-en-Auxois to Saint-Jean-de-Losne
“We have lived in France, visited regularly over 35 years and done a lot of independent walking along roads and trails generally using local maps. What has been lacking is a publication in English that combined sensible general advice on walking in France with detailed instructions on routes and facilities on interesting off-road trails.
I think Melinda Lusmore has achieved this in her website and publications. She has compiled a series of practicable and beautiful walks combined with geographical instructions and a wealth of good advice. She has been very helpful too in our direct email contact.
We are already planning one of her walks later this year and will report on our experience. We have always loved France and know it has unlimited, small, unsung wonders in the rural areas. Go and find them!”
Rita Wise on The Chemin de Saint-Jacques du-Puy from Aumont-Aubrac to Figeac and Figeac to Cahors
Thanks for a very informative guidebook. I am a novice walker in my fifties and was quite anxious about setting out on my first walk in France. This guidebook, with the lovely photos and information, really smoothed the path for me and helped to eliminate any anticipatory fears and concerns. Like you, I am now able to say I LOVE WALKING IN FRANCE and am planning a return trip!
Brenda Tolentino (Dish our Town) on The Burgundy Canal from Migennes to Pouilly-en-Auxois
Melinda is my #1 source for walking tours in France. Before I found her, I didn’t know what GR paths were. We’re a family of New Yorkers, and love a good long walk. These walking paths are now, on our must-do list in France, thanks to Melinda. Although, we may cycle parts of this walk, it’s great to know, especially traveling with our 11 year old daughter, what exactly to expect.
Melinda details everything one may need to start this amazing walking tour of the Burgundy Canals: Distances, Village population and history, rest stops, luggage drop off and pick up, hotels, gites, restaurants and much more.
I very much appreciate all the distances listed between the villages. It helps me time my walk/cycle and make sure my daughter is hydrated and fed. Melinda thoroughly details what to expect and how to match every family members’ expectations. I also appreciate the history she teaches us about the region so I can make the walk into a fun education for all three of us.
START PLANNING NOW
Martel to Rocamadour (2019 edition)
The Coast of Brittany from Camaret-sur-Mer to Audierne on the GR 34 (2020 edition)
The Midi Canal from Toulouse to Carcassonne (2020 edition)
The Chemin de Saint-Jacques du-Puy (2020 edition)
Bundle all five guidebooks together and save US$14.96
Or purchase individually
The Burgundy Canal (2019 edition)
Bundle Migennes to Pouilly-en-Auxois and Pouilly-en-Auxois to Saint-Jean-de-Losne together and save US$5.99
Or purchase induvidually
Terms and Conditions
I Love Walking in France digital guidebooks are produced in PDF format to give you the best possible viewing experience and to allow easy access to the links within it.
Each guidebook can be downloaded five times allowing it to be stored across multiple devices.
As the author and a fellow traveller, I understand that you might share this book with other people, and your travelling companions in particular, in the same way that you share a physical book.
By purchasing this book, you agree not to mass broadcast, email or upload this book to a peer-to-peer site.
Privacy Policy – I Love Walking in France will collect your name and email address for electronic delivery of the guidebook. This information will never be shared or sold to another party.
Refund Policy – If you are not completely happy with your I Love Walking in France digital guidebook, please email me at the address below within 30 days of purchase for a full refund.
Contact – email melinda@ilovewalkinginfrance.com