** WALKING in FRANCE **
** France "through the AGES" **
This page is the Edition dated 11 February 2005.
Thig page deals with most of my WALKINGS in France from the beginning (1971) onwards. It covers the
years: 1971, 1972, 1980, 1983, 1993, 1996 (*4), 1997 (*2), 1999(*4) and 2001(*2)
1971 - The first visit!
This exploration took our small family around the North West corner of the Country, starting in the COTENTIN
peninsular, moving along the north coast of BRITTANY, then its south coast - before extensive visits along the
LOIRE, followed by a few days at the LE MANS circuit (getting the whole of the RACE) - then heading north
for BAYEUX etc..
1972 - The second visit!
This was somewhat longer than the previous exploration, taking in, not only Northern France but the Central
Massif and the Mediterranean Coast. I started by crossing on the SRN4 Hovercraft on 26May72, and heading
for our first camp-site at Auxerre. (We had planned to have the first stop near Paris, but the inclement weather
made us continue motoring until 'things got better'!) .. We would call in on Paris for a few days on the return
half of this very long tour - which would last SEVEN weeks.
Following rambles around Auxerre (taking in its cathedral at St Etienne) we motored on until the outskirts of LYONS
where we camped on the large hill-top site.During the time in the vicinity, we took full advantage of their great ZOO
with its spectacular presentations. Camping was at ANSE, and we also visited the ROMAN THEATRE.
Further South, we camped at ORANGE and also walked around VAISON LA ROMAIN and did much photography.
We also camped on a hilltop site at ORANGE, looking across the valley to Mont VENTOUX. Going further South,
we also wandered around AVIGNON and also photod the famous Pont!! (St BENEZET).
Wandering around the Calanques (near La Ciotat) we also progressed on to the charming little harbour at CASSIS
from where we took a small-boat ride around three calanques (french fjords) before moving on to ST TROPEZ for
our next camp-site (Les Tournels). That was absolutely beautiful!! Wandering around the various beaches at
St Tropez was uplifting in many ways, my favourite being TAHITI PLAGE. It was less crowded than the others
- but the 'sights' were better!!
My young (5year-old) daughter practised her gymnastics on the 'rings' in the camp-site,
in much the same way as the Olympic male athletes did!
After six days at 'St-Trop', we motored on further east, for further walks around the coastal splendours of the
Mediterranean villages, small towns etc. - covering and enjoying such places as CAVALAIRE-sur-MER, LE
LAVANDOU, EZE, BORMES, Ste MAXIME, JUAN-les-Pines, ANTIBES etc..
We had experienced the pleasures of CANNES, the sites and features of GRASSE etc whilst enjoying a
wonderful site at CAGNES (which was to be our 6-day base for exploring NICE, MONTE CARLO and
the features of MONACO. We also visited the ITALIAN border post just beyond MENTON and also the
ancient buildings at LA TURBIE.
On the way northwards from the 'Med', we stayed, first, at the PONT DU GARD walking across the
aqueduct, as well us under it (we camped there!). We also explored the NIMES ARENA (massive!) before,
the same day exploring the 'ghost town' of Les Baux.
Then, moving northwards and to Higher altitudes, we progressed to the Ardeche Valley in the AUVERGNE,
and made our way to the Volcanic areas (in the MASSIF CENTRALE) like Le PUY (a volcanic 'plug) and
the lake-filled crater of LAC
PAVIN. Taking a little boat (a pedalo) onto the lake, we hoped that the volcano would remain EXTINCT!
Travelling further northwards, we stopped for a couple of nights at VICHY's campsite, there doing some relaxing
lounging before making some walks about that historic place. Next there was the cunningly approached VERSAILLES
where we stayed for four nights at a very usefully placed campsite. Not only did this save motoring into PARIS - but
we had the Fabulous Palace 'on the doorstep'!
1980 - The THIRD visit!
(with NAT Tours)
This was part of a Tour of Europe by this company. They took a coach-load of people and
a full cargo of CAMPING equipment. Essentially, every day provided us with early starts -
and late finishes with high mileages.
Our 'ports of call' were:
Lyons
St Tropez
Nice
Monaco
together with places in Spain, Austria,
Italy, Germany and Holland.
1983 - The FOURTH visit!
(with OWN 'VW' Motor-Caravan)
This tour was one done with my family, touring EUROPE (including FRANCE)
and also covering:-
Holland
Belgium
Luxemburg
and
Switzerland.
1993 - The FIFTH visit!
(in a coach)
This tour was one done with a lady-friend, touring EUROPE (including FRANCE)
and also covering:-
Belgium
Germany
Liechtenstein
Italy
and
Switzerland.
(including crossing the Bernina Pass into Italy!)
1996 - The SIXTH to NINETH visits!
(by coaches)
The first of these trips was to the ITALIAN DOLOMITES (January '96) calling also in:
France
Germany
Switzerland
Liechtenstein
Austria
Next (in February '96) was the CHUNNEL excursion via France
to BELGIUM - calling at:
Bruges
Gent
Antwerp
Next (in June '96) was the CHUNNEL excursion via France (no real stops)
to ITALY - calling at:
Fiuggi
Naples
Pompeii
Monte Cassino
Rome
Vatican
Isle of Capri
Sorrento
Finally (in August '96) was the CHUNNEL excursion via France (no real stops)
to
BELGIUM (for their GRAND PRIX at F1!!) - calling at:
Birmingham(twice) (England)
FRANCORCHAMPS
1997 - The TENTH visit!
In June '97 was the Ferry & Coach excursion via France (no real stops) &
BELGIUM - calling at:
Belgium (Antwerp)
and Germany (lunch stop)
Zell-am-See (Austria)
Zell am See from the Hills.
Grossglockner Glacier
(Major walking Tour)
1999 - The ELEVENTH to FOURTEENTH visits!
(by coaches)
In July '99 and October '99, were the Ferry & Coach excursions via France (no real stops) &
BELGIUM - calling at:
In July:
GALLSPACH village in Austria
Germany
STEYR
VIENNA by Coach
Lake MONDSEE
St GILGEN.
St WOLFGANG
HALLSTATT - THAT's beautiful!!
More Lakeside villages in AUSTRIA
and in October:
COVERING: Prague, Budapest, Vienna
2001 - The FIFTEENTH & SIXTEENTH visits!
(by coach)
These were done en-route to, and returning from, PISA - in October 2001.
It included:
Northern France,
Milan,
Tuscany region,
Florence (I had missed this a few decades ago whilst touring Europe),
Lucca,
PISA
Return to Camping Index Page .
or
go to Home Page .