Walking/Cycling

In 1993, Françoise Radet-Mannerkorpi, a painter, having lived in Finland for 20 years, created this garden, situated at the foot of a 13^th Century church in a small village in the Marne Valley, and turned it into a romantic garden with a remarkable, flower bedecked kitchen garden.

Lorraine has two impressive mountain ranges; Argonne in Meuse and the Vosges. The region also boasts areas of lower hills, namely the Côtes de Meuse and Côtes de Toul which overlook a delightful landscape of vineyards and Mirabelle plum orchards.

Poitou-Charentes has many varied and beautiful excursions for walkers scattered all over the region. There are walks for all ages, guided and also trails marked out for the more independent explorers.

What could be more enjoyable than discovering Picardy through the eyes of a guide who is a cycling enthusiast and who will take you out to discover the region? There are various associations that organise cycling excursions.

If you prefer to cycle, no problem: hiring a bike is child's play, and for the last few years the capital has been making cycling a priority. Some of Paris Il de France parks allow bikes so that you can enjoy a cycle while still in the city. Outside there are multiple routs that take you through the beautiful countryside.

Walking is the best way to explore the true Corsica. Wonder at the fortified granite houses and shepherds’ dry-stone shelters, bathe in the pure water pools that have formed in the rocks from waterfalls, and enjoy the magnificent landscapes in the forests where you may see one of the island’s semi-wild pigs, the bearded vulture or the moufflon.

Whatever your level of experience, a dense network of sign-posted paths along the hilltops of Vosges provides an easy way of getting close to a well-preserved natural environment full of flowers such as lilies, orchids, digitalis, arnica and sundew or unexpected wildlife such as mountain goats.

There are over a 1000 km of trails for cyclists and hundreds of mountain biking routes marked out for your enjoyment in Poitou-Charentes. Gentle quiet relaxed excursions through the stunning scenery of back road routes in the countryside are enjoyable for everyone.

Quiet country roads, forest tracks and dedicated cycle paths make cycling an absolute pleasure in Normandy. If you prefer not to take your own bikes with you there are many cycle hire centres throughout the region, and in some cases hotels and Chambres d’Hôtes will lend you bikes and helmets so that you can explore the local area.

The Franche-Comté region has marked out thousands of kilometres of paths for walking. There are many options from tracks abounding with flower beds, the stony paths of the Jurassic heights to the flowing waters of Haut-Doubs. Take your time to discover the local flora and fauna and landscapes, from lakes to forests to peaks and valleys.

Whether you're a sports fanatic or simply looking for a change, why not discover Alsace on foot! The region offers many hiking and rambling trails, from the Vosges hills to the banks of the Rhine, and throughout the Alsatian plain.

Rambling and hiking are popular pastimes as Normandy provides hundreds of miles of hiking and recreational trails for people to explore the countryside at leisure.

Leaving the towns, there are 343,000 hectares of forests! Through the forests of Chantilly, Compiègne, Retz, Saint-Gobain, Halatte, Crécy or Ermenonville, with a walkers' map, the official hiking trails are obvious, leading to royal boundary markers, a mysterious cross, menhir or a spinning stone are just some of the legends that please children.

Now you can tour the unspoiled countryside and historical sites from atop your own bike! Take any of the well-marked routes that lead you down quiet back roads and country lanes with little traffic.

The natural environment is Lorraine’s trump card but the variety of landscapes is just one ingredient. Even more important is the quality and sheer density of natural beauty spots. There are three regional country parks lying wholly or partly within Lorraine.

Whether you’re an experienced cyclist or a leisure rider, the Western Loire has plenty of surprises in store for you. All along the sign-posted bike trail, you can marvel at the stunning Loire countryside, visit chateaux and abbeys, stroll through quaint little towns and cycle through vineyards.

The French are mad about cycling and France, with its wide open spaces, is the ideal place to enjoy the sport. Look no further than Nord-Pas-de-Calais where 60 sign-posted cycle routes wend their way through pretty towns and villages on peaceful roads.

There are many reasons for a stroll in Paris Ile de France, from the buildings to the shopping and people. Rambling around just to look at the architecture is worthwhile. A lot of Parisian structures were setting their feet firmly in the new century long before the curtains were drawn on the previous one.

Normandy is a horticultural heaven and boasts an extraordinary number of parks and gardens open to the public. A wide range of garden styles are displayed, from simple cottage gardens to grand, formal schemes via walled kitchen gardens, botanical collections, subtropical plantations, landscaped “English” style gardens and authentic French Gardens.

The most evocative image of Brittany is a high cliff battered by waves, even though this type of landscape is not continuous along the entire coastline. However, the whole of the peninsula is bordered by rocky coastal outcrops which vary in colour and shape from north to south.

With four Regional Natural Parks to choose from in Normandy, you will be spoilt for choice, space and scenery. Natural environments are protected and preserved in these splendid parks, with fabulous views of forests, valleys or maritime wetlands with extensive wildlife.

The park of Valgenceuse chateau, in Senlis, a few kilometres from Paris, is a haven of peace and tranquillity where it is a pleasure to stroll around in the footsteps of the greats.

UNESCO has inscribed the routes to Santiago de Compostela on the World Heritage List. The region boasts three of the main routes leading to Compostella, the routes of Puy-en-Velay, Arles and the foothills of the Pyrenees, all of which are dotted with comfortable self-catering cottages and friendly hostels.

With 13 painted caves, the Ardèche gorges are the most visited in France. Inside you can admire engraved or painted masterpieces together with various tools. For a better understanding of this exceptional legacy it is worth paying a visit to the Musée Régional de Préhistoire, close to the Aven d’Orgnac.

Discover the Alsatian plain at first hand, get a bird's eye view of the Vosges Forest or glide across the vineyards... There are many excellent reasons to discover Alsace from the air.

After the stress and rich food during the weeks leading up to Christmas, a 50 minute flight across the channel to Brittany situated on the west coast of France can restore your body and mind.

Leave all the stresses and strains behind and discover the mystical, heritage rich region of Brittany with its year round mild climate, listen to the sound of the ocean and breathe in the fresh, salty air for as little as £100 per person on half board including treatments and excluding flights