Article · 27 Mar 2019
Spring flower walks in the Haute Savoie
A visit to the mountains of the Haute Savoie is always an enjoyable experience, but is especially so in spring and early summer if you are a lover of alpine flowers, says Pamela Harris.
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59 articles found
Article · 24 Feb 2019
Hidden Gem – Walking in the Auvergne, France's ancient volcanic landscape
The Auvergne forms the major part of the Massif Central of France. It's a stunning area of ancient volcanic scenery, crossed by numerous waymarked paths which thread through a...
Article · 23 Jan 2019
Les Dents Blanches: Snowshoeing and ski touring in Samoëns, France
At the end of the impressive, deeply gouged U-shaped Haute Giffre valley, the village of Samoëns provides an access point for a range of winter snowsports.
Article · 26 Dec 2018
Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn in 27 variants: the slow process of updating a guidebook
When Lesley, Jonathan and Maddy Williams updated Kev Reynolds’ Chamonix to Zermatt guide, it gave them an insight into the daily challenges faced by Cicerone’s guidebook...
Article · 16 Sept 2018
The Robert Louis Stevenson Trail: The GR70 across the French Cevennes
Clive Darley treks the Robert Louis Stevenson Trail across the French Cevennes in a variety of bad weather, grim weather and horrendous weather. Nevertheless he finds plenty to...
Article · 11 Aug 2018
Top tips for cycling the Route des Grandes Alpes
Jonathan cycled the Route des Grandes Alpes to celebrate his birthday and learned vital lessons along the way. He now has an abundance of advice to share with others on how to...
Article · 4 Jul 2018
Hidden Gem – have you ever visited the Cathar castles of southern France?
Dating from the religious turmoil of a period between 1000 to 1250AD, the castles built and occupied by the Cathars are found on high rocky outcrops, and command fantastic views...
Article · 27 Jun 2018
12 things I learned from my recent trip to the Alps
Cicerone’s Joe Williams recently returned from a two-week holiday in the Alps. The original plan had been to do some alpine climbing, but snow and weather caused a change of...
Article · 23 Jun 2018
One of the best mountain huts of all time, according to Kev Reynolds
Kev Reynolds describes one of his favourite mountain huts of all time, the Refuge de Bellachat in the Mont Blanc range in France.
Article · 20 May 2018
The Clarée Valley in the Briançonnais: A jewel in the Alpine crown
Andrew McCluggage waxes lyrical about a beautiful, and almost secret, valley in the Briançonnais area of France and explains why he thinks the Clarée Valley is a true jewel of...
Article · 22 Apr 2018
Smuggling in the Haute Savoie
The eastern border of the Haute Savoie runs along the high peaks and passes between France and Switzerland, in the area known as the Chablais. Now it is easy to cross from one side to the other in both summer and winter, but what many do not realise...
Article · 8 Apr 2018
Practicalities of staying in a mountain hut
It is important, when planning a mountain trip – especially out of season – to do your homework first. Will the huts be open and manned? Will there be room? What facilities...
Article · 30 Mar 2018
Winter trail running adventures in Chamonix
Just because it's winter doesn't mean you have to hang up your trail shoes in exchange for skis.Trail runner Kingsley Jones trains year-round, and if you know what you’re...
Article · 24 Feb 2018
The Tour du Ruan - unknown to all but a few
According to David Burrows, there’s something good about walking in circles rather than in straight lines, and the Tour du Ruan didn’t disappoint.
Article · 18 Feb 2018
Rediscovering the Dordogne
The Dordogne river flows through some of the most beautiful countryside in France, its banks lined with picturesque towns and cliff-top castles. Updating the walks for the new edition of Walking in the Dordogne enabled co-author Pamela Harris to...
Article · 20 Jan 2018
The Cathar Way in Spring - quiet, sunny and perfect for orchids
Regular guest bloggers Carol and Jim Watson share their memories of walking the Cathar Way in springtime.
Article · 9 Sept 2017
Hiking in the Volcanic Beauty of the Auvergne (Tell Us Your Story)
Guest blogger Mick Borroff recounts a trip walking in the Auvergne - fantastic views, butterflies and cheese made Mick really enjoy his time in this part of France.
Article · 16 Aug 2017
An intro to... The GR5 Trail from the Hook of Holland to Nice
What do you need to know about the GR5 trail? Here's a quick overview of this epic long-distance route from the Hook of Holland to Nice.
Article · 21 Jul 2017
A brief history of the Tour de France
The Tour de France is an annual cycling spectacle held primarily in France. But how did it start? Why does the leader wear a yellow jersey? Here is a brief history of the race from the Cicerone guidebook to Cycle Touring in France.
Article · 8 Jul 2017
The Tour des Glaciers in the Vanoise National Park
Jonathan reports back from a quick trip to walk the Tour des Glaciers in the Vanoise National Park, south of Mont Blanc.