-Duh

I'm beginning to think about backpacking France in another couple of
years, and I'm wondering what are the camping options. Can one camp
along trails, or must you either find housing in communities, or camp in
designated campgrounds?

Steve B.

"duh" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm beginning to think about backpacking France in another couple of
> years, and I'm wondering what are the camping options. Can one camp along
> trails, or must you either find housing in communities, or camp in
> designated campgrounds?

When hiking the GR's (grande routes, long-distance trails), I stay in Gites
de Etape http://www.gites-de-france.com/gites/uk/stopover_gites, alpine club
huts http://www.ffcam.fr/fr/chalets/cartes_refuges/, or bivouac (not in
authorized campgrounds). The IGN hiking maps
http://www.ign.fr/rubrique.asp?rbr_idF2&lng_id=EN and guidebooks clearly
show the gites and CAF huts. Links for hiking in France
http://www.hejoly.demon.nl/countries/france.html Cicerone press does some
good hiking guidebooks for France
http://www.omnimap.com/catalog/int/france/fran-cic.htm, although I prefer
the mostly french language FFTP series
http://www.omnimap.com/catalog/int/france/ffrp.htm (three of these are
available in English.

Have fun! On foot you'll get to know the country better than any other way.

Steve

-Duh

Steve B. wrote:
> "duh" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
>>I'm beginning to think about backpacking France in another couple of
>>years, and I'm wondering what are the camping options. Can one camp along
>>trails, or must you either find housing in communities, or camp in
>>designated campgrounds?
>
>
> When hiking the GR's (grande routes, long-distance trails), I stay in Gites
> de Etape http://www.gites-de-france.com/gites/uk/stopover_gites, alpine club
> huts http://www.ffcam.fr/fr/chalets/cartes_refuges/, or bivouac (not in
> authorized campgrounds). The IGN hiking maps
> http://www.ign.fr/rubrique.asp?rbr_idF2&lng_id=EN and guidebooks clearly
> show the gites and CAF huts. Links for hiking in France
> http://www.hejoly.demon.nl/countries/france.html Cicerone press does some
> good hiking guidebooks for France
> http://www.omnimap.com/catalog/int/france/fran-cic.htm, although I prefer
> the mostly french language FFTP series
> http://www.omnimap.com/catalog/int/france/ffrp.htm (three of these are
> available in English.
>
> Have fun! On foot you'll get to know the country better than any other way.
>
> Steve
>
>

Merci beaucoup for the info.

Steve B.

"duh" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Steve B. wrote:
>> "duh" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>
>>>I'm beginning to think about backpacking France in another couple of
>>>years, and I'm wondering what are the camping options. Can one camp
>>>along trails, or must you either find housing in communities, or camp in
>>>designated campgrounds?
>>
>>
>> When hiking the GR's (grande routes, long-distance trails), I stay in
>> Gites de Etape http://www.gites-de-france.com/gites/uk/stopover_gites,
>> alpine club huts http://www.ffcam.fr/fr/chalets/cartes_refuges/, or
>> bivouac (not in authorized campgrounds). The IGN hiking maps
>> http://www.ign.fr/rubrique.asp?rbr_idF2&lng_id=EN and guidebooks
>> clearly show the gites and CAF huts. Links for hiking in France
>> http://www.hejoly.demon.nl/countries/france.html Cicerone press does
>> some good hiking guidebooks for France
>> http://www.omnimap.com/catalog/int/france/fran-cic.htm, although I prefer
>> the mostly french language FFTP series
>> http://www.omnimap.com/catalog/int/france/ffrp.htm (three of these are
>> available in English.
>>
>> Have fun! On foot you'll get to know the country better than any other
>> way.
>>
>> Steve
>
> Merci beaucoup for the info.

Forgot to mention: Gites are basically dormitories for those in transit, a
night or two. Some have a caretaker and offer a cooked meal (substantial)
and breakfast. Others are unattended, you may have to get the key from a
nearby resident. There are usually cooking and showering facilities. Good
opportunity to get to know your fellow hikers. Also makes it possible to
travel very light. Like the CAF (French Alpine Club) huts, blankets are
provided. A sheet sleeping sack is recommended.

Steve