Walking Tours of France

Examples of IGN Maps

Series Bleue

Series Top 100

Series Orange

Series Rouge/Cartes Régionales

Cartes Départmentales

Plans de Ville

Une ville et ses environs

Alps Sans Frontieres

If we have to special order any IGN maps for you from France, please note that there is a 50% cancellation fee if you cancel your order for any reason as the IGN does not accept returns. Receipt of your order by us is acceptance of this policy.

IGN Series Bleue (blue) maps have a 1:25,000 scale. There is also a sub-series called the Top 25 which is a larger map covering more territory (have OT or ET suffix). The red lines on the map example below are hiking trails. Note the fine detail with these maps. These are considered the premier maps for hiking the trails of France.

Since there are 1,793 blue series maps, we do not list an index here. When you have chosen the location area or trail you want to hike, let us know and we will make map recommendations for you, along with a price quote. Prices in 2010-2011 ranged from $21.95 - $29.95.

IGN Top 100 maps have a 1:100,000 scale. They offer more detail than the Michelin road maps (1:200,000), but less than IGN Bleue and Orange (1:50,000) series . They are excellent for planning hiking trips as they show the GR and related connector trails in red with trail notations.

Please note: This map series was formerly known as Series Verte. Three years ago, IGN changed the exterior color of this series to a dark blue, not to be confused with the "Series Bleue" maps which are a royal blue. Beginning in May 2009, the Top 100 series returned to its green series roots with a chartreuse (pale green/yellow) colored cover and newly designed interior. The new maps are better than their predecessors due to increased accuracy of satellite imagery, 3D computer technology, and GPS readings. They also contain more information regarding leisure and outdoor activities with symbols indicating the sport, event, sight, etc. The entire set of these maps is now available. The price is $17.95 for the latest series while the dark blue series remains at $12.95 (still have most locations in stock). Check out the new cover and a list of available locations for the new Top 100 series or a listing of locations for the dark blue cover series.

We prefer that you order by the number listed. When you receive your order, you may receive a green, blue, or chartreuse (see below far right) cover map depending on what we have in stock, but only if the previous edition maps are not outdated. You will be informed of what we have in stock and the choice to accept a substitute. The information, though slightly older, has to be at least 90% accurate. Much older green cover maps whose information has changed greatly are for sale on our Sales and Clearance page. If you prefer the yellow cover, let us know and we will order it for you. But, until they become readily available to us, you may have to wait several weeks for it.

IGN Series Orange (orange) maps have a 1:50,000 scale. They offer a good compromise between the blue and green series maps for scale and are popular with bicyclists. We do not recommend them for hiking as the trails are not highlighted or visible like they are on the Bleue and Top 100 series. (Always use the Series Bleue maps to avoid getting lost.). Since there are over 1,000 orange series maps, we do not list an index here. These maps sell for $18.95 - $24.95 each.

IGN Series Rouge (red) maps, now known as Cartes Régionales, have a 1:250,000 scale (some are 1:280,000). They are similar in scope to Michelin's road maps, but may cover slightly larger and different areas within one map. Check out our index below or our Cartes Régionales list which gives you the name of the locality it covers. When placing your order, give us the IGN order number. These maps sell for $17.95 each.

Cartes Départementale are maps for each of France's 96 departments. The 22 regions of France are subdivided into departments for a more decentralized style of government. Check out our index below or our Cartes Départementale list which gives you the name of the locality it covers. When placing your order, give us the IGN order number. These maps sell for $17.95 each.

Plans de Ville maps are for the major cities of France, including Paris, Bordeaux, Grenoble, Brest, Rennes, Lyon, Rouen, Nancy, Rodez, Lille, Cannes, Nantes, Reims, Toulon, Calais, Strasbourg, Tours, Annecy, St-Etienne, Montpellier, Marseille, Le Havre, Bethune, Roubaix-Touraing, Douai, Valenciennes, Orléans, Dijon, Mulhouse, Nice, and Toulouse. There are maps for 85 cities and more are being added each year. These maps range in price from $14.95 - $17.95.

The Une villes et ses environs maps, new in April 2011, will cover 15 of the largest cities in France with expansion into the suburbs and surrounding rural areas where you will find hiking paths. Each map contains three scales; 1:80,000 scale for the city portion, 1:13,000 for close-ups, and a 1:25,000 scale excerpt showing hiking paths in the area. Locations currently available include Bordeaux, Le Havre, Lille, Limoges, Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier, Nantes, Nice, Paris, Rennes, St-Etienne, Strasbouirg, Toulon, and Toulouse. These maps are $17.95.

Alpes Sans Frontieres are a map series showing the roads and trails of the French, Italian, and Swiss Alps, accompanied by a bi-lingual (English/German or French/Italian) text booklet that describes the routes pictured. There are 20 titles in this series running from Lac Léman to the Maritime Alpes above Nice. They sell for $32.95 - $39.95.

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Walking Tours of France: Introduction

Walking Tours of France: City Reports

Walking Tours of France: City Reports Locations List

Paris Walking Tours by Arrondissement

Sample Report

Maps of France

Trail Guides & Other Resources

Order Form & Instructions