Walking is almost a national pastime in France and tens of thousands of kilometres of paths criss-cross the country. Choosing the right long-distance walk can feel overwhelming and almost impossible, but I do believe that no matter what your fitness level, your preferred choice of landscape or how much time you have available, there is […]

Every now and then while walking the Chemin de Saint-Jacques, I’ll meet a fellow walker who set out that morning trusting they’d find a camp site for the night, and with only a vague idea of where they’ll stop tomorrow. While I envy them that freedom and flexibility, I know that will not be a […]

As you begin your search for places to stay during your long-distance walk in France, it’s likely you’ll encounter a few descriptions not commonly used in English accommodations. The most common are chambres d’hôtes and gîtes, and while there are often a lot of similarities between the two, there can be some striking differences. There […]

When it comes to pre-booking accommodation, most walkers fall squarely into one of two camps—those who always do and those who can’t imagine why deciding in advance where to stop each night would be a good idea. Some walkers prefer to carry a tent and stop in the nearest campground each night, hunkering down with […]

Reserving a bed for the night using WhatsApp, text messages, email or the accommodation website’s contact form does require some basic French. This simple formula has worked well for me every time. I give the day I will arrive and the day I will leave and ask if they have a room available. Bonjour Madame, […]

Trail markings, GR paths, GRP paths and PR paths Walking is almost a national pastime in France and tens of thousands of kilometres of paths criss-cross the country.  This network of trails is overseen by the Fédération Française de la Randonnée Pédestre (FFRP), the non-profit organisation which, along with hundreds of dedicated volunteers, maintains all […]

If you plan to carry everything with you each day, the trick of course is to take as little as possible. Choose a quality backpack to suit whatever weight you feel comfortable carrying, try it on and have it adjusted to fit you. (A good rule of thumb is to carry no more than 10% […]

Choosing whether to carry your possessions with you or have your luggage transferred ahead each day is a contentious issue for many walkers. Having done both, the convenience of setting out each morning carrying only a light daypack is something I appreciate. Luggage transfers are available and easily organised through several companies in France (although […]

The thought of walking long distances, day after day for a week or two, or a month or more, can feel daunting. But I promise that if you build up slowly and consistently, and listen to your body when it says to rest, you’ll start your walk well-prepared and will grow stronger and fitter as […]

There is nothing I love more than wandering through the French countryside on a sunny day. Taking a few precautions in order to stay safe, such as carrying sufficient food and water supplies, taking extra care when walking alone or walking along a road, and learning enough of the language to ask for help or […]

(First published June 2016, last updated July 2025) When I first began long-distance walking, I thought blisters were a necessary and unavoidable evil. As someone who often walks 15—20 kilometres (10—12 miles) each day on a regular holiday, I’ve always suffered from tiny water blisters on the balls of my feet. Each night, I’d slice […]