Walking Festivals in France

Avec ses 2700 km de sentiers balisés, les Bouches-du-Rhône sont un bon terrain de jeu. Pour se mettre en jambe, chaque année, la Fédération Française de la Randonnée Pédestre organise la semaine de la randonnée en Provence.

The Festival Mille Pas aux 1000 Étangs, created in 2003 by the Tourist Office, is the oldest hiking festival in France. It runs  from April to July and brings together an average of  15,000 participants per year. The success of the Festival is based on the fact that the circuits are ephemeral (marking exclusive to the day) and change every year. The idea is to introduce both locals and tourists to places that are usually inaccessible (private trails and ponds, unmarked paths and closed historical heritage).

In the heart of the Cerisy forest, in Normandy near Balleroy sur Drôme, the Festival des Randos is a meeting place for lovers of nature and running. Athletes, occasional walkers and families, everyone gets together… and finds themselves there! Races and hikes in the morning, entertainment and activities all day from 11:00 am.

Since 2009 , the Hiking Festival has revealed the riches and secrets of the towns and villages of the Pays d'Aubagne and the Etoile. The  Garlaban  offers itself as a star, but the ridges of  Mont Julien , the breathtaking landscapes of  Sainte-Baume  or the paths of  the Mining Country are not left out. Throughout the Festival you will be able to discover the stories of these massifs, towns and villages of the territory.

Set off to conquer the Seine-et-Marnais heritage! The Rando des 3 châteaux makes its big comeback. In total, 6 routes for all levels and the whole family to discover 3 emblematic castles of Seine-et-Marne: the castles of Blandy-les-Tours, Vaux-le-Vicomte and Fontainebleau.

The French Alpine Club of Nancy awaits you in Maron for the Festival de la Rando. On the program: hiking trails, Nordic walking trails and mountain biking trails, but also climbing wall, musical entertainment, stands, catering...

With more than 600 kilometers of hiking trails, the Coeur du Jura is the dream destination for hikers of all levels. With its mid-mountain terrain, our territory indeed offers routes accessible to all. To make them better known, the Tourist Office has decided to create a hiking festival. The first edition was a success, with an exceptional registration rate.

Combining outdoor recreation and convivial moments around CONCERTS of festive music, that's the ambition of the Festival LES EXTRAVERTIES. An invitation to entertainment and sharing in a festive and friendly atmosphere! The Festival is back in Suisse Normande with an extended formula embellished with many surprises and an EXTRA closing show.

Rando-Moselle, the themed hiking festival for experienced walkers or novices in the Pays de Sarrebourg (Lorraine-Moselle)! In the heart of the Moselle Vosges and the Donon massif, Rando-Moselle innovates every year and brings Saint-Quirin and Abreschviller to life, the green lungs of the Pays des Deux Sarres. A place of discovery rich in natural sensations, this territory offers one of the largest forests in France, with 530 km of marked trails.

The first completely GREEN festival in Marne and Gondoire. On the program, hiking in all its forms, immersion in nature: eco-workshops and presentations on the themes of biodiversity, nature, the environment. Whether you are fond of sporting walks or simply curious , let yourself be guided by all the activities in this inventive territory. Urban or rural, young people, families, seniors, this program is for everyone!

This unique experience aims to highlight the Auvergne heritage by offering meetings on each of the routes with different actors of the territory: artists, craftsmen, local producers, scientists... Art'Air also wishes to make its participants aware of the protection of the environment. nature, art, and local riches. During the day, hiking trails are punctuated by gourmet and artistic breaks . In the evening, concerts will be played in the open air , surrounded by nature, some in places kept secret until the last moments. These moments allow festival-goers, locals and holidaymakers toget together for a convivial moment and give the opportunity to discover unique places conducive to the dissemination of sport, art and culture.

For 9 days, take part in the Var Nature Week to discover the beauty of the landscapes through themed and accompanied hikes, offered throughout the Var. Young or old, sportsmen or amateurs, with family or friends, let's meet for this late-season event in the beautiful colors and mildness of autumn.

La Rando Bretagne, an open hiking event to all, offers each year between 8 and 15 days of discovery of Breton territories and landscapes, in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Original in its design, it invites you to discover each year part of one of the 4 departments Bretons, alternating hikes on the coast and in inland. Another special feature: the Rando Bretagne offers licensees dedicated accommodation, with catering and transportation to hikes. Some hikers have been involved for more than 25 years. The event is also unique in its impact tourism and economic: most hikers return with their association to the accommodation and the regions traveled; almost all of the proceeds are reinvested in the local economy (solidarity and social tourism accommodation, local producers, actors local cu...

The FIRA organizes hikes for all levels in the Cévennes, with lunch breaks at local restaurants using local products. The guides are volunteers with the ambition of making their region known in all its secrets and can choose particular themes (historical, agro-pastoralism, with donkeys, etc.) Other outdoor activities, such as canyoning, caving, canoeing, electric biking, etc., supported by qualified supervision from approved organisations. In addition, the FIRA specifically organizes events and cultural activities related to the theme of the festival in Saint Jean du Gard (conferences, cinema, literature) as well as a hiking fair on Saturday.

The 4 days of Chantonnay is the hiking event of the Vendée with its 4 days of walking, its 20 circuits and its night hike to discover the Vendée bocage in all its splendour! Every year, no less than 5,200 walkers meet for 4 consecutive days of walking on 20 circuits concocted by the 350 volunteers of the R4JCV association. A change of scenery awaits you during this sporty and joyful annual meeting without competition. Many daily festive events also punctuate the event. The only French organization affiliated with the International Walking League (IML), R4JCV welcomes 400 foreign walkers from around twenty different countries each year. The adage “walking unites us” then takes on its full meaning as there is sharing with walkers from other cultures. Dances, songs and exchanges ...

Come and reconnect with nature, come and discover an authentic and preserved territory, come and recharge your batteries and escape during the festival… Here we act naturally for your well-being. On the program are thematic hikes, workshops, meetings and film screenings in the evening, not to mention our convivial evening meals.

After more than 20 editions, the Randorade has become one of the most important organized hikes in Brittany. Between 3000 to 4500 people come every year on the different paths.

Arrens-Marsous, a small town nestled in the Val d'Azun (Hautes-Pyrénées), will become the Pyrenean capital of walking in all its forms. During these three days, the guides and mountain guides will have at heart to make discover their territory. Thanks to hikes for all levels, a whole beautiful and authentic valley will be in the spotlight. Paved paths in the undergrowth, magnificent belvederes, barns at altitude, small villages... so many landscapes to discover whatever your level and age. Eldorando also offers themed walks: yoga walks, meditation and well-being walks, watercolor walks, baroque music walks, storytelling walks, night walks, trail running, mountain biking or VAE...

Sign up to walk 100km, following in the footsteps of those who fought for our freedom in WWI or WWII whilst supporting the soldiers and veterans of today. Choose The Western Front walk to follow in the footsteps of those who fought on the Somme and Passchendaele battlefields during the First World War or sign up to The Normandy Beaches walk to trek the coastline stormed as part of Operation Overlord during the D-Day landings of the Second World War.