6 Beautiful Locations For Hike and Nature Lovers in France
France is overflowing with exceptional retreat locations. Most of these are perfect for biking, walks, hikes, and picnics with family and loved ones. They present an opportunity to be in tune with nature, and soak in the elegant landscape of the woodlands.
From the beaches of the Cotentin Peninsula (Normandy) to the red lands of the “Esterel Mountain range” (Riviera), from the valleys of the hinterland of Nice to the rose gardens of the Loiret (Loire Valley), here are some fun and beautiful locations for nature lovers in France.
Trails of Loches, Loire Valley
Located south-east of Tours, this oak laden 3600 hectares still holds an aura of royalty in its beauty. For visitors there are a number of hiking options.
The historic Liget trail is one great option. Other than the magnificent view and woods along the path, the tiny, ancient, and round Chapelle Saint Jean du Liget is a stop along the trail that draws the attention of every visitor.
The adventure continues to the leisure centre at Chemillé-sur-Indrois lake, where adventure seekers could pedal along tiny country lanes to Le Liget chartreuse, an old 12th-century abbey built by Henry II of England. Nearby lies La Corroirie; a chapel and old fortified farm, this is well worth a visit.
Other trails to explore are the Orfonds trail, and Charles VII’s cellar or the Pas-aux-Anes trail. These are an enchanting stop. The stop at the pond of Pas-aux-Anes is ripe with history and tales. It makes one live through the legends told of the love affair between Perrine and Pierre.
The trails are perfectly situated just about 41 minutes from 5 Star Hôtel Château d’Artigny, and a couple of minutes away from a number of restaurants. Tourists would be able to enjoy some local cuisine just within the environs of the trails.
While in Loches there are a few other side attractions including walking with donkeys for a single afternoon or for a few days, visiting Château de Montpoupon; its park and museum, and a visit at Zoo de Beauval.
The Forest of Tronçais, in Auvergne (Central France)
Nestled in the heart of the Bourbonnais region, less than 100 kilometres from Nevers or Bourges, the Tronçais forest is the largest oak forest in Europe. Stretching over nearly 11,000 hectares in the north-west of the Allier department, it is best to discover it in the early morning,just when it is a little bit misty.
This forest is a site of choice for many animals, such as stags, roe deer, boars, tawny owls, common buzzards, and booted eagles, this makes its trail a delight for animal lovers who will be lucky to catch a glimpse of some of these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat.
At the heart of the forest, the trail passes through five beautiful ponds: Morat Pond, Saloup Pond, Pirot Pond, Tronçais Pond, and Saint-Bonnet-Tronçais Pond.
Tronçais Forest contains several paths and is ideal for walking, mountain biking, horse-riding or just watching the fauna and flora, In autumn, nature lovers will love to go mushroom-picking while listening to the famous stags bellowing!
Just 18 miles from the forest, lies the beautiful 5-star Hotel, Château Saint-Jean Hôtel & Spa. In the Bourbonnais region, tourists have a few options for local cuisine in Michelin-starred restaurants.
Remains and Gentle Slopes of Hallate, North of France
Around Paris, there is not only Rambouillet or Fontainebleau! The Oise department has a dozen forests, all different. The royal forest of Halatte stands out and is famed as one of the last remaining blocks of natural old-growth forest in France.
Situated about sixty kilometers north of the capital, between Senlis and Pont-Sainte-Maxence, it extends over 6,000 hectares. Of course, it has a few straight alleys, as in Chantilly, but also many mounds, hills, and gentle slopes give it a wilder, less ordered character… Above all, highlight its cathedral forests and majestic beech and oak trees.
One of the more popular hikes in this area is a 222 meters ascent of Mont Pagnotte, the ascent of Mount Calipet where lies the remains of the small chapel and the windmill, or to admire the superb panorama offered by the Butte d’Aumont.
Its close proximity to the capital makes it easy to do a day trip from Paris.
Caves and Hikes of La Sainte-Baume, in Provence
To the north of Toulon, between Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer, Aubagne, and Brignoles, the Sainte-Baume Regional Nature Park reveals its double face. It is a hiker’s paradise. In the long limestone cliff which separates the ubac – at the top, facing north – and the adret which slopes gently down to the sea, there are numerous caves.
Mount Sainte Baume, like Lourdes, is an important place of pilgrimage. King Louis IX (Saint Louis), upon his return from crusade, two popes and Louis XIV have come. A hostelry held by sisters welcomes pilgrims at the foot of the mount.
Besides this rich religious heritage, the mount has some of the most beautiful paths to hike in Provence.
The hike starts off the D80 road not too far from the town of Plan-d’Aups-Sainte-Baume and offers hikers a view of moss-covered rocks and trees, the rock mountain, the monument for the Grotto and a view of the Monastery and Grotto of Saint Mary-Magdalene.
Hiking the paths and caves of Sainte-Baume is just one of the many attractions. Visitors also would love a visit to Basilique Sainte-Marie-Madeleine, or an exploration of Domaine de Saint Jean le Vieux and its wines.
Located in the Sainte Baume Park, in Gemenos, we recommend La Magdeleine, to enjoy Provençal hospitality by Michelin-starred chef Mathias Dandine and his wife Christel, owners of the two-century-old property.
In Burgundy, Strange Green Giants
In Argentenay, a very small village of less than a hundred inhabitants, in the Yonne, green giants have been settling in the forest since 2013. These monumental sculptures are the work of Alain Bresson, who makes his giants around or on living trees that he dresses in moss.
A stroll takes tourists from colossal birds to a Drakkar (Dragon) stranded in the middle of the woods. While the winding paths offer a lot to behold, these monuments remain the biggest attraction within these hiking paths.
Argentenay may be bereft of the biggest lodging facilities in France but visitors to its hike paths and forest will find the most pleasant 5-star hotels just a couple of miles away in Leugny. It however is home to a host of Michelin-starred restaurants where clients would find a variety of the best French delicacies.
Around Argentenay there are a few places that are worth a visit including Chateau de Tanlay (2 miles), Château d’Ancy-le-Franc (4 miles), the town of Auxerre, etc.
In the Esterel mountain range (Riviera), Red Earth Facing the Big Blue
The Massif de l’Esterel is a Mediterranean coastal mountain range in the departments of Var and Alpes-Maritimes in Provence, south-east France.
The red earth that makes up the identity of the Esterel massif is also at the origin of its name. Mount Vinegar, the highest point of the massif at an altitude of 614 meters, is a wonderful idea for a walk. The ascent is made by a path that invites meditation, if one is not distracted by the foxes and rabbits that rub shoulders with the early morning walkers.
At the top, the view of Fréjus, the Bay of Saint-Tropez, and the Bay of Cannes is breathtaking. Autumn is also the ideal time to discover the coastal path from the port of Santa Lucia.
