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Small Group Tour

France on Foot | Small Group Walking Tours France

21 days · Small group · Max 14 travellers

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walking tours in France
86% return to travel with us again 40+ years of small-group escorted touring 43,000+ travellers have toured with Odyssey

Tour Overview

Exploring Paris and beyond

Our walking tour, France on Foot is designed for the mature active walker. It extends from the scenic island of Noirmoutier on the Atlantic coast all the way to Limousin and the Auvergne to the peaks of the Savoy Alps. Along the way we traverse France via the Massif Central. This walking tour includes a number of spectacular and beautiful walks, with plenty of culture, history and cuisine along the way.

Odyssey offers easy, convenient, and relaxed escorted small group tours across France and beyond. This exceptional collection of walks explore France’s fairy-tale natural beauty, its ancient Roman, and Imperial heritage, its World Heritage Sites, and world famous cities.  Complete with some truly spectacular scenery along the way. This and more small group tours like this are all waiting to be explored on one of Odyssey’s small group tours of France, designed for the senior traveller, and led by experienced, and enthusiastic like minded people.

France on Foot small group tour begins and ends in Paris, the beautiful French capital, the trip will start off with a walking tour of Nantes. Nantes is a thriving student city on the banks of Loire river. Home to many beautiful cathedrals, it was once an industrial epicentre and birthplace of the world's first public transport service, the omnibus, which opened in 1826.

We will spend some time in Noirmoutier, an island in the Bay of Biscay, accessible from the mainland by a beautiful bridge. The island's history dates back to prehistoric times and it has over 50km worth of beaches to explore. We will take a sailing tour around the island and visit the salt marshes and learn about salt harvest as an artisan trade. From Noirmoutier, we will catch a boat to to Port Joinville on Ile d'Yeu for a guided tour of this picturesque, beach island and one of France's hidden gems.

Our next base after Noirmoutier is Correze, a department in south-western France, named after the river Corrèze . With beautiful scenery, perfect walking opportunities, and surrounded by quaint, unspoiled villages, it is a great spot to begin some of our walks. We will have a city tour of Limoges, an underrated French city known for its decorated porcelain. There are cobbled streets and medieval architecture to explore here, as well as a unique cathedral.

Our last base before heading back to Paris is Montchavin, a small alpine village in Savoie in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. Here you will get to experience the beautiful Notre Dame des Vernettes walk, a path through an amazing mountainous nature reserve.

This French walking tour also includes travel on the famous TGV rail.

For those who enjoy walking holidays, this is a walking holiday like no other. With a range of different walks on offer, you will see all kinds of landscapes, from beachy island walks to rugged alpine hikes, this has everything.

If you want to learn more about France, visit our country profile where all the other tour departures are listed as well. Odyssey Traveller also offers a range of walking tours each year paced for senior travellers. The collection of walks are for active mature and senior travellers, particularly those who seek a holiday off the main circuit.

If you’re keen to experience this tour, please call or send an email. Or, to book, simply fill in the form on the right hand side of this page.

Articles published by Odyssey Traveller for Walking and Hiking tours for seniors

To help you prepare for any walking program whether with Odyssey or another company this list of articles is intended to help you prepare for your holiday.

Articles about France

The following list of articles are either published by Odyssey Traveller or are carefully selected external source to maximise senior travellers' knowledge and enjoyment of France when visiting;

Tour highlights

  • Trek through the forests and moors of the island of Noirmoutier the exquisite Ile d’Yeu.
  • Walk along the Pilgrim Route which leads to the cathedral of Santiago di Compostela in Spain.
  • In the Savoy we cross pathways dating from the beginning of time soaring through Alpine scenery.
  • Criss-cross France on its ultra-fast TGV.
  • Thread our way through France’s own Peak District in the Auvergne.

Value built into your journey

What’s included

  • 20 nights accommodation.
  • 20 breakfasts, 10 picnic lunches and 6 dinners.
  • TGV train tickets Paris to Nantes and Chambery to Paris.
  • Transportation in modern, air-conditioned coaches.
  • Entrances and tipping.
  • Detailed information booklet.
  • Services of an Odyssey Program Leader and expert local guides.
See all inclusions & exclusions →

The Odyssey difference

Small enough to experience more

One dinner table, shared experience

Our groups are deliberately small enough to dine together around one table—an intimate way to get to know fellow travellers, whether you join as a couple or on your own.

Access that larger groups miss

A smaller group can visit more intimate venues, stay in characterful places, and reach experiences that are often impractical for larger coach parties.

Time to understand a place

Expert Program Leaders and local guides add depth, while a considered pace leaves room to explore, rest, or follow your curiosity.

Discover why travellers choose Odyssey →
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Journey journal

Read, learn & explore before you travel

Expand your journey before departure with destination stories and carefully selected reading that bring the history, art and culture of this tour into sharper focus.

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What's Included:
Inclusions:
  • 20 nights accommodation.
  • 20 breakfasts, 10 picnic lunches and 6 dinners.
  • TGV train tickets Paris to Nantes and Chambery to Paris.
  • Transportation in modern, air-conditioned coaches.
  • Entrances and tipping.
  • Detailed information booklet.
  • Services of an Odyssey Program Leader and expert local guides.
Exclusions:
  • International airfares.
  • Airport transfers and porterage.
  • Comprehensive travel insurance.
  • Items of personal nature like laundry, phone calls, etc.

Activity Level

Level 4 - Challenging
Participants must have a high level of physical fitness and appropriate expertise in the program activities, and should expect full days of fast-paced, strenuous physical challenges.
Learn about activity levels

Good to Know:

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Prices shown per person

Prices displayed below are per person, twin share occupancy.
Departure Date Price Availability
13 Sep – 3 Oct 2027
$20,995 AUD
✓ Available Book This Date
13 Sep – 3 Oct 2027
$20,995 AUD
✓ Available
Book This Date

A deposit of A$1,000 per person secures your place. Balance is due 120 days before departure. All prices are per person. View Terms & Conditions.

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Plan your journey

Available dates & prices

Choose a departure and room type to see the current tour price. Every departure travels in a small group of no more than 14 travellers.

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Prices shown per person, twin share occupancy. Select a departure to view booking details.

Small-group touring with a maximum of 14 travellers Meals: 20B · 6D included Comfortable accommodation and expert local guidance A$1,000 deposit per person secures your place

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Twin share Sharing a room with a companion
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Your route

From Paris to Paris, one journey at a time.

Follow a carefully paced route through the places, stories and experiences that bring this journey to life. Open any day for the detail behind the itinerary.

Route map for this tour
⌖ 21 days · 7 stops
⌗ View larger map
1 1 day

Paris

Arrive in Paris and make your way to our hotel. In the evening we get together for a briefing and welcome dinner.

Arrive in Paris and make your way to our hotel. In the evening we get together for a briefing and welcome dinner.

2–7 6 days

Noirmoutier en Ile

Today we transfer to the train station and board the TGV to Nantes where we'll enjoy a walking city tour followed by some free time for lunch. We…

Today we transfer to the train station and board the TGV to Nantes where we'll enjoy a walking city tour followed by some free time for lunch. We then continue on by coach to Noirmoutier en Ile.

Today we spend the full day in Noirmoutier en Ile with two easy level guided walks. One in the morning (Roses Tremieres, 6.5 km / 1.5 hrs) and one in the afternoon (Sur les traces de Jacobson 7.2 km / 2 hrs).

Today we start the day with another walk "Chemin de Mer et de marais", which is a moderate level walk (11.2 km / up to 4 hrs). We will visit the salt pans and take a sailing tour around the coast to view the island from a different perspective.

After breakfast we are met by our local guide for a moderate walk - "Les Portes de l'Ile", 13.4 km / 3 hrs. The afternoon is at leisure to explore or relax in your own time.

Today we travel to Fromentine where we catch a boat to Port Joinville in Ile d'Yeu for a guided tour of the island. The afternoon is free to walk around this beautiful island before we return to our hotel.

Today we take another full day excursion, this time to discover "la Corniche Vendeenne" and La Rochelle. In the evening we return to Noirmoutier.

8–14 7 days

Correze

After breakfast we depart Noirmoutier en Isle and travel to Correze, our base for the next week. En route we stop in Limoges for a city tour and…

After breakfast we depart Noirmoutier en Isle and travel to Correze, our base for the next week. En route we stop in Limoges for a city tour and visit its historic centre with medieval timber-frame houses.

Today we'll enjoy a full day excursion to "Les Tours du Merle". Jewel of medieval Limousin, this citadel from the XII century stands on a rocky outcrop, surrounded by the river Maronne. The site includes a 10 hectare park with remains of the village, restored farmhouse, and the House Madège (Archaeological Exhibition and layout of the site).

We spend today visiting villages around Limonges, like Blond, Mortemart and Montrol Senard. In Blond we'll have a moderate walk - "Sentier des villages en pays d'Oc" 13 km / 3.25 hrs.

Today we visit Collonges la Rouche, a surprising natural heritage. You will be amazed by the material used to build its houses: a natural local rare red sandstone coloured by iron oxide. This was a wealthy village thanks to the wine trade, until the 19th century phylloxera crisis when crops were damaged by these aphid-like pests. Now its beautiful mansions, its turrets and narrow streets in red sandstone continue to attract many visitors each year. Here we take an easy walk - "Au long des lavoirs Collongeois", 7 km / 2 hrs On our return to Correze we stop to view Tulle, a lively market town surrounded by water and greenery.

Our journey today takes us to Massif Central where we'll walk to the top of Puy de Dome via Chemin des Muletiers, an easy level walk. We have a short stop in Orcival, home to one of the most important roman style churches in Auvergne.

After breakfast we travel to Aydat where we'll walk to the top of Puy de la Vache and Puy de Lassolas, an easy level walk of 10 kms / 3 hrs. Later we also visit Maison du Fromage before returning to the hotel.

Today we walk to the top of Puy Mary, an easy walk, and then follow by coach to Salers and Tournemire where we visit Chateau d'Anjony.

15 1 day

Montchavin

We depart Correze and travel to Savoie area, where we'll be based for the next 5 nights.

We depart Correze and travel to Savoie area, where we'll be based for the next 5 nights.

16 1 day

Montchavin

After breakfast we travel to Peysey-Nancroix where we enjoy the "Notre Dame des Vernettes" walk, easy level, 5.6 km / 3 hrs (230 m altitude).

After breakfast we travel to Peysey-Nancroix where we enjoy the "Notre Dame des Vernettes" walk, easy level, 5.6 km / 3 hrs (230 m altitude).

17–19 3 days

Montchavin

In the morning we have a guided walking tour of "Lac de la Sassiere", another easy walk of 7.5 km / 3 hrs. After a picnic lunch we…

In the morning we have a guided walking tour of "Lac de la Sassiere", another easy walk of 7.5 km / 3 hrs. After a picnic lunch we make our way to Val d'Isere where we take the Telepherique de l'Olympique and admire the views of the Tarentaise.

Today we enjoy an easy walk "Les Montagnettes de Planay"6.4 km / 3 hrs. We then continue from La Rochette to Pragonan la Vanoise to take in the local views.

After breakfast we drive to Bessans where we'll take a guided walk "Geologie autour de Bessans", an easy level 7.8 km / 3.5 hr. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

20–21 2 days

Paris

This morning we leave Montchavin for Paris on the TGV. We arrive early afternoon and have some free time until our farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

This morning we leave Montchavin for Paris on the TGV. We arrive early afternoon and have some free time until our farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Our small group tour France on Foot concludes today after breakfast.

Plan with confidence

Travel Information

Everything you need to know before you travel, presented in one easy-to-read planning guide.

What’s Included

Inclusions:
  • 20 nights accommodation.
  • 20 breakfasts, 10 picnic lunches and 6 dinners.
  • TGV train tickets Paris to Nantes and Chambery to Paris.
  • Transportation in modern, air-conditioned coaches.
  • Entrances and tipping.
  • Detailed information booklet.
  • Services of an Odyssey Program Leader and expert local guides.
Exclusions:
  • International airfares.
  • Airport transfers and porterage.
  • Comprehensive travel insurance.
  • Items of personal nature like laundry, phone calls, etc.

Traveller stories

What our travellers say

Real reflections from travellers who have experienced this journey with Odyssey.

No reviews have been shared for this tour yet. Be the first to tell us about your Odyssey experience.

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France on Foot | Small Group Walking Tours France
$20,995 AUD
per person · 21 days
Next departure
13 Sep 2027
View dates & prices