A family walking holiday in France with a sports and leisure cocktail.
Our portfolio of walking holidays in France would not be complete without a family hiking tour. Voila! This programme is suitable for all the family, with an abundance of sporting opportunities and leisure activities to suit. La Grande Motte was constructed with the good life in mind and there really is something for all ages here. This is the ideal base from which to explore the Mediterranean coast, Montpellier and Languedoc's interior.
Fact File:
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A self-guided, light walking holiday in France with multi-sport and leisure options.
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Seven-night, studio apartment stay with self-catering and arrivals any day, all year round.
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A drive-hike tour, in your car or hire car, with your base in La Grande Motte
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Special offer - up to two children go free of charge.
a) Theme
With this Mediterranean family walking holiday in France, the beach is never far away. Whilst the Camargue area can be hot and dry, the terrain is ideal for introducing all the family to the benefits of regular hiking in France; and the hiking trails are flat, and so pose no particular difficulties to mature hikers who can no longer seek the ups and downs of hillwalking, but who still wish to enjoy the simple pleasures afforded by a brisk and healthy walk in a gifted environment.
The multi-sports facilities are either on the doorstep (tennis, fishing and cycling) or within walking distance, and comprise golf (with tuition option), aqua park, sea fishing and a health, beauty and well-being centre. Your hiking, sports and leisure cocktail is booked on your behalf once you reserve your stay. The town, its marina and the excellent restaurants are all nearby and your visit to Montpellier will educate and inspire.
This is one of those walking holidays in France that are ideal for couples (irrespective of age) and families, with or without children.
b) Further Information
- For other hiking tours in France in Camargue, see:
c) Model Programme: Mediterranean Family Hiking
Day 1. La Grande Motte.
Your three-mile familiarization walk will have you marvelling at its 1970’s chic architecture, inspired by the Mexican pyramids as well as its oasis of varied flora. Then enjoy a swim or dine in one of the promenade’s highly- recommended restaurants, a number of which provide live music.
Day 2. Etang du Ponant - 3 miles-5 kms, with longer option.
One of the mysteries of the region’s most tempestuous of rivers is lain to rest today as you discover the point where it flows into the Mediterranean. Follow its right bank before crossing a stream and rounding the lagoon before walking back beside the pine trees of Boucanet wood. Then you visit Le Gard's primary fishing port, Le Grau du Roi, with its narrow streets, spacious beach and canal walk.
Day 3. Les Saintes Maries de la Mer – 8 kms-3.5 miles.
This walk takes you through pink flamingo, white horse and black bull paradise. A memorable walk that takes you along a spit, across a dam, over bridges and past “les cabanes de gardian”, traditional homes to both shepherd and fisherman.
Day 4. Les Portes du Vidourle - 7 kms-3 miles.
Today you go off in search of the Petite Camargue’s equivalent to the Thames Barrier. Whilst nevertheless grateful for its existence, you will doubtless prefer to revel in your dreamlike state along sunny and shady pathways, canal or across woodland, with only the occasional barge to break the song of the herons.
In the afternoon, you tread the sacred streets of mediaeval Aigues-Mortes, an immaculately-preserved walled town with ramparts with views that will leave you drooling.
Day 5. Montpellier -urban walk options.
Today you bid a short farewell to your coastal pursuits and take one of our urban France hiking tours. Montpellier is our favourite city in France for multifarious reasons – the merging of diverse architectural epochs into a metropolitan whole belies belief; its championing of the rights of the common citizen is laudable; its parks and gardens the model to and envy of other aspiring green conurbations; and its multi- cultural vivacity means that life never stops. Park up outside the City, take a scenic ride on the best of tramways and enjoy an urban walk that will make your mouthwater.
Day 6. Gallician - 10 kms-7 miles.
Today you explore the tale of two canals, Le Rhone and le Rhone a Sete. You will find yourself immersed in a taurine world of marshland and the largest reed bed in France. And for the ornithologist, it’s the chance to watch bee eaters and rollers at work. Pont des Tourradons.
Day 7. Pic St Loup. 9 kms-6 miles.
You finish the week with a hike to the region’s highest points: the Hortus Plateau and its apex, Pic St Loup, at 658 ms (2,160 feet). Le Pic dominates the surrounding countryside and can be seen for miles around. On a clear day, views of the Mediterranean can also be enjoyed. As well as the habitual Mediterranean vegetation of evergreen oak and Alleppo pine, you encounter in abundance the aromatic species of thyme, rosmarin and lavender that characterize the Garrigues and make it a favourite habitat to the friendly gecko.
Day 8. End of your hiking tour in France
But still time for a walk around La Couchant at 3 kms – 2 miles (or a longer version at 5 kms – 3 miles) before departing for the airport.
Optional extras
• Multi-sport options: swimming- beach or aqua park; canoeing; tennis; golf; thallasotherapie; fishing; sailing; canal barge; others.
• Bird life park & observation centre; The Camargue Museum; France's largest wine domaine.
d) Access
La Grande Motte is located on the Med., just east of Montpellier and on the fringe of The Camargue. Easy and convenient access by car is from the north, dir. Lyon, via the A7 autoroute, or by the A9 from Montpellier or Nimes.
Nearest TGV rail stations are Montpellier or Nimes, and Nimes or Montpellier airports are even nearer - why not arrrange to collect your hire car from either of these options?
Total driving time is approx. 20 minutes from Montpellier airport and 45 from Nimes. You will need a few Euros if driving from Nimes to pay the motorway toll.
Accommodation
Studio apartment as follows:
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The main property is in a three-storey block, without lifts, located one minute’s walk from the fine beach depicted above and five minutes’ from an abundance of restaurants, shops and entertainment.
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Facilities include a fully-furnished apartment that sleeps 2 or 3 adults, or 2 adults with two small children in bunk-beds; kitchenette; bathroom and shower; balcony overlooking the River Vidourle where it flows into the Med.
Note: Accommodation is subject to availability and precise details may change. As these properties lie in a condominium, we have decided not to show pictures of them in order to respect the the privacy and security of the individual owners.
e) What's included in Mediterranean family hiking
f) What's Not included in Mediterranean family hiking
1. Meals;
2. Car hire, car insurance & Gas/petrol
3. Travel and entrances to optional cultural visits and sightseeing programme;
4. Travel, walking and personal insurance;
5. Personal expenses.
La Grande Motte: photo taken Sunday 27 January 2008 at 13.00 hrs, temperature 17c.
g) Prices and options: 2010 - Mediterranean Family Hiking
Prices are per adult based on two adults sharing - up to two children go FREE
Low Season Mid Season High Season
01/01/2010 to 30/04/2010 01/05/2009 to 24/06/2010 25/06/2010 to 20/08/2010
and and
01/10/2010 to 30/04/2011 21/08/2010 to 29/09/2010
£495.00 or €575.00 or $855.00 £595.00 or €660.00 or $995.00 £695.00 or €775.00 or $1195.00