Wild France: A Traveller's Guide (Wild Guides) [Paperback]

Douglas Botting (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Wild Guides | Publication Date: December 1999

The romance of France lies deep in the hearts of travellers from Britain. Normandy, Provence, the Loire and the Camargue - such names have an instant magic, and all are represented, along with over 50 other exploration zones, in Wild France, a comprehensive guide to the country's most out-of-the-way places. 'Friends smiled knowingly when I told them I was off to explore the wild side of North-East France,' recalls one contributor; 'they had visions of me whiling away the small hours in the night-spots of deepest Pigalle. When I explained that my task was to explore other forms of wildness, they looked blank. They doubted whether the area had anything in the way of natural wonders to discover.' But discover some he did. If it's wilderness you're after, this book will winkle it out. It covers every region of France, from the Alps to the Atlantic coast and from the Vosges to the Pyrenees, taking in the spectacular gorges of the Massif Central and the leafy forests of Burgundy, the Mediterranean coast and the island of Corsica. In the narrative text the contributors share their personal knowledge of each region, its topography, wildlife and scenic character. In the accompanying fact-packs they suggest walks, rides and drives, activities and places to stay. Every exploration zone is graded for its remoteness and wilderness value. In this edition the entire text has been reset to include new hotels and itineraries, new train and bus information. Fax numbers, e-mail addresses and web-site details have also been included to bring this established guide-book fully up to date.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Sierra Club's new series covers the hidden natural areas of several European countries (Wild Italy, Wild Spain, and Wild Britain are also being published this spring). Wild France is both a companion and an alternative to the typical tour guide of France, which focuses on the country's rich cultural and historic heritage. Editor Botting instead explores the nation's untamed wilderness, gearing his book to those interested in hiking, cycling, horseback riding, fishing, skiing, camping, birdwatching, and enjoying the great outdoors. Botting divides France into nine geographic regions and gives clear and in-depth information about the flora, fauna, geology, and history of each. He also provides excellent resources to help travelers in their explorations. With beautiful color photographs, easy-to-read maps, and a list of useful addresses, this book is necessary for travel collections in public libraries.
Melinda Stivers Leach, Precision Editorial Svces., Wondervu, Col.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Well written and a vital addition to the traveller's library." -- TNT Magazine

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Interlink Pub Group Inc (December 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156656333X
• ISBN-13: 978-1566563338
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,370,651 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Forget Paris - Go Wild and Wonderful, March 21, 2001

By 

west - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wild France: A Traveller's Guide (Wild Guides) (Paperback)

Okay, spend a few days in Paris, and then when the crowds, the traffic and the little dogs overwhelm you, get out your copy of Wild France and seek some serenity. Packed with information, this reliable, portable and well-organized guide to wilderness areas of France is valuable for planning your trip and contains many evocative color photos to help you remember your adventures when you get back home. The book divides France into nine natural regions and suggests the best wild habitats to visit in each one. The sections are written by different experts, with insider views on the local environments. Easy-to-read maps at appropriate scales help you find your destination by car or public transit and then hike, bike, ride or row to viewpoints. In addition to the color photos, there are detailed line drawings of special trees, plants, birds and animals that you may encounter. Included are addresses, phone numbers and websites of tourist offices, park offices, museums and outdoor adventure firms, plus suggested hotels and camp sites. Our favorite walk: through the Massif de Ste. Baume in October, walking out of farmland into open oak woodland, and then into the deep shade and silence of an ancient European forest of oak, beech, holly and yew, meeting an occasional family picking wild mushrooms, climbing higher and higher on a path that pilgrims - including popes, saints and kings - had taken for almost two millennia.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book for France, October 21, 2001

By 

George Mardikes (Portland, Oregon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wild France: A Traveller's Guide (Wild Guides) (Paperback)

We used this book to supplement a two month trip to France. It provides information that you will not find in other guide books and if you are used to mixing nature with culture, then it is a must to have along. We saw things we would never have seen, but for having this book. Places that one might think are insignificant take on added importance and meaning. We also used Wild Italy in Italy. Note that these books are not the only travel books you should have in France and Italy. They supplement your other travel books.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Forget Paris - Go Wild and Wonderful, March 21, 2001

By 

west - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wild France: A Traveller's Guide (Wild Guides) (Paperback)

Okay, spend a few days in Paris, and then when the crowds, the traffic and the little dogs overwhelm you, get out your copy of Wild France and seek some serenity. Packed with information, this reliable, portable and well-organized guide to wilderness areas of France is valuable for planning your trip and contains many evocative color photos to help you remember your adventures when you get back home. The book divides France into nine natural regions and suggests the best wild habitats to visit in each one. The sections are written by different experts, with insider views on the local environments. Easy-to-read maps at appropriate scales help you find your destination by car or public transit and then hike, bike, ride or row to viewpoints. In addition to the color photos, there are detailed line drawings of special trees, plants, birds and animals that you may encounter. Included are addresses, phone numbers and websites of tourist offices, park offices, museums and outdoor adventure firms, plus suggested hotels and camp sites. Our favorite walk: through the Massif de Ste. Baume in October, walking out of farmland into open oak woodland, and then into the deep shade and silence of an ancient European forest of oak, beech, holly and yew, meeting an occasional family picking wild mushrooms, climbing higher and higher on a path that pilgrims - including popes, saints and kings - had taken for almost two millennia.