Things to Do in France
France is a region characterized by its exceptionally varied terrain, offering diverse landscapes for outdoor activities. From the high alpine peaks of the French Alps and Pyrenees to the sun-drenched Mediterranean coast, and from historic river valleys like the Loire to the wild expanses of national parks, France provides a wide range of natural environments. This geographical diversity supports several sports like road cycling, hiking, touring cycling, jogging, and more, making France a prominent destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Things to Do in France
Outdoor activities in France encompass a broad spectrum of experiences, with more than 1,089,000 routes available across several sports like road cycling, hiking, touring cycling, jogging, and more. These routes cater to various skill levels and preferences, from challenging mountain ascents to gentle riverside paths. For those interested in exploring France on two wheels, options range from demanding climbs in the Alps and Pyrenees, often featured in professional cycling events, to scenic touring routes through the Loire Valley's châteaux or Burgundy's vineyards. Hikers can find trails in mountainous regions, coastal paths, or through national parks. More than 2,911,000 visitors have shared their experiences, resulting in an average rating of 4.48 out of 5 stars for routes in France. Further details on specific activities are available in guides such as Road Cycling Routes in France, Hiking in France, and Cycling in France.
264
Routes
4.6
(39642)
Average rating
414490
People visited
4.7
(2025)
27,434
riders
37.9km
02:14
240m
240m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.8
(128)
6,140
riders
55.2km
04:35
1,810m
1,810m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.7
(621)
4,400
riders
64.4km
03:41
90m
90m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.6
(635)
3,172
riders
56.2km
03:45
170m
170m
Hard bike ride. Good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.
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4.9
(368)
18,609
riders
88.3km
06:58
2,820m
2,820m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
4.9
(173)
12,417
riders
87.0km
06:10
2,170m
2,170m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
4.7
(552)
14,257
riders
37.7km
01:34
240m
240m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
4.8
(89)
6,753
riders
54.2km
05:42
2,130m
2,130m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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4.8
(1355)
8,989
hikers
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
4.8
(1455)
6,109
hikers
13.6km
04:36
460m
460m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
4.9
(1333)
5,522
hikers
Hard hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
4.8
(547)
8,018
hikers
7.07km
01:49
30m
30m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.8
(44)
7,193
runners
14.3km
01:32
110m
110m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.6
(41)
4,069
runners
14.3km
01:58
180m
180m
Hard run. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
4.3
(65)
3,172
runners
6.47km
00:44
20m
20m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.2
(21)
1,635
runners
7.85km
00:49
40m
40m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.7
(99)
391
riders
39.3km
03:33
1,020m
1,020m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
4.7
(85)
454
riders
26.8km
02:29
450m
450m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
4.7
(72)
366
riders
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
4.6
(63)
333
riders
26.7km
02:59
1,080m
1,080m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
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5.0
(5)
159
riders
87.0km
09:40
2,400m
2,400m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.
4.3
(56)
193
riders
28.8km
01:58
240m
240m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.4
(21)
102
riders
85.1km
06:19
350m
360m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.
4.8
(17)
145
riders
44.1km
04:37
1,360m
1,360m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(7)
232
hikers
10.8km
08:04
1,120m
1,080m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
5.0
(6)
200
hikers
8.70km
05:27
680m
680m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
4.9
(18)
113
hikers
11.5km
05:31
710m
710m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
4.9
(17)
97
hikers
13.0km
05:30
710m
710m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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Top attractions in the region
Explore the region
Most popular attractions in France
Collections
Méditerranée in Occitanie - Ten bike rides in the South of France
Cycling Collection by
Explore France
French Ardennes: over 1,000 km of trails in the heart of nature
Hiking Collection by
Ardennes Tourisme
The GR 21 from Le Havre to Le Tréport — Exploring the Normandy coast
Hiking Collection by
Fred Urrutia
ViaRhôna — ride from the Alps to the Mediterranean
Cycling Collection by
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Tourisme
Wine, cheese and cycling – day trips in the French Jura Mountains
Cycling Collection by
Explore France
Flowers of the mountains — Coteaux du Lyonnais tour
Hiking Collection by
Totosupertramp (Thomas Boury)
The Ultra-Trail des Chevaliers – Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB
Running Collection by
Nicolas Vergnaud
Tour of the Portes du Couserans by MTB – a Pyrenean odyssey
Mountain Biking Collection by
Fred Urrutia
Between Fontenay-le-Comte, Parthenay and Niort – Poitou on the water
Cycling Collection by
Florence CT
In the footsteps of Fleur de Tonnerre – a historical journey in Brittany
Cycling Collection by
Marie B
Hike and wild camp in the Cevennes — a Tour of Mount Aigoual (GR 66)
Hiking Collection by
Fred Urrutia
Cycling route of the most beautiful villages of the Dordogne valley
Cycling Collection by
Lot Tourisme
French Alps: Four road cycling routes in the Savoie department
Road Cycling Collection by
TOUR Magazin
Hiking in La Thuile – the Open-Air Museum
Hiking Collection by
La Thuile - The Wild Side of Mont Blanc
So close, so diverse – the most beautiful hikes in Saarland
Hiking Collection by
Reiseland Deutschland
Transcontinental Race No10: crossing Europe from France to Turkey
Road Cycling Collection by
BuzzAlong
Discover the Basque Country and Navarre on the Pyrenean Path – GR 11
Hiking Collection by
Sofía_Ibáñez
GTA Central Piedmont – Dense forests, lakes and impressive waterfalls
Hiking Collection by
Marika Abbà
Hochrhein-Höhenweg – Forests and rivers from Germany to Switzerland
Hiking Collection by
Michi Querweg
The Rhine Cycle Route from Constance to Mannheim – EuroVelo 15
Cycling Collection by
Baden-Württemberg
Varaita Valley Trekking – a journey into the lands of Italy’s Monviso
Hiking Collection by
Marika Abbà
Nearby adventure guides
Natural areas to explore nearby
Frequently asked questions
What outdoor activities are available in France?
France offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including Road cycling, Hiking, Touring cycling, Jogging, Mountain biking, Gravel biking, and Mountaineering. The country's diverse landscapes, from the Alps to the Mediterranean coast, support varied experiences for all skill levels. More than 1,089,000 routes are available across these sports.
What are the most popular road cycling routes in France?
France is a prominent destination for road cycling, with over 264,000 routes available. Iconic climbs in the French Alps and Pyrenees, often featured in professional cycling events, are popular. Scenic touring routes through regions like the Loire Valley and Burgundy also attract many cyclists. For more information, see the Road Cycling Routes in France guide.
Are there family-friendly outdoor activities in France?
Yes, France offers numerous family-friendly options across various activities. Regions like the Loire Valley provide gentle cycling paths, while many national parks have accessible hiking trails. Specific guides, such as Family-friendly hikes in France, highlight suitable routes.
Where can I find hiking trails in France?
Hiking trails are abundant throughout France, from the high alpine trails of the Alps and Pyrenees to coastal paths and routes through national parks. Over 219,000 hiking routes are available. The Hiking in France guide provides detailed information on various options.
What types of cycling routes are available in France?
France provides diverse cycling routes, including over 264,000 for road cycling and more than 208,000 for touring cycling. Options range from challenging mountain ascents to gentle riverside paths and dedicated cycleways. Guides like Cycling in France offer further details.
Are there easy hiking routes for beginners in France?
Yes, France features many easy hiking routes suitable for beginners. These can be found in various regions, including river valleys and less strenuous sections of national parks. The Easy hikes in France guide provides specific recommendations.
What are the most common points of interest along outdoor routes in France?
Outdoor routes in France frequently feature a variety of points of interest. These include natural landmarks like viewpoints, lakes, summits, rivers, forests, and beaches, as well as man-made structures such as castles, historical sites, bridges, and charming settlements. Facilities like cafes, restaurants, and accommodation are also common.
How popular are outdoor activities in France on komoot?
Outdoor activities in France are highly popular on komoot, with more than 2,911,000 visitors having explored routes. The region boasts over 1,089,000 routes across various sports, which have received an average rating of 4.48 out of 5 stars from users.
Can I find routes that avoid traffic for cycling in France?
Yes, France offers routes designed to be traffic-free, particularly for touring cyclists. These often follow historic canals, coastal paths, or dedicated cycleways. The Traffic-free bike rides in France guide can assist in finding such routes.
Are there specific guides for running trails in France?
Yes, komoot provides dedicated resources for runners in France. The region has over 263,000 jogging routes. Information and specific recommendations can be found in the Running Trails in France guide.
How can I get official tourism information for France?
Official tourism information for France is available through France.fr, the national tourism operator's website. For general inquiries, a contact phone number is +33 (0)1 53 10 35 35, and a WhatsApp contact is +33 (0)6 02 02 94 95.
What are the options for mountain biking in France?
France provides extensive opportunities for mountain biking, particularly in its mountainous regions like the Alps and Pyrenees. There are over 114,000 mountain biking routes, with an additional 17,000 routes categorized as easy mountain biking. These trails cater to various skill levels, from challenging descents to more accessible paths.
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