France offers stunning views and excellent walks for those who like to explore on foot, as well as some interesting history. The Cathars, for example, were a religious group that appeared in southern France in the 10th century. Announced heretics by the Roman Church, Pope Innocent III called for a crusade against the Cathars at the beginning of the 13th century. Many cities and provinces in southern France were destroyed before the Roman Church decided it had eradicated the Cathars in the 14th century. Follow in the Footsteps of the Cathars as you walk through meadows, forests, gorges and mountains.

Provence offers an energetic but rewarding walking holiday in France. Climb through woods and high valleys, tackle the Gorges du Verdon by tunnel and metal ladders (optional) and hike old Roman roads.

For a Mediterranean feel, trek though Corsican villages. Corsica has escaped the Mediterranean tourist fever and much of its rugged coastline and interior remain uninhabited. Staying in small hotels, gites and mountain refuges along the way we trek fro village to village through wild gorges, forests and hill trails, enjoying striking views of some of Corsica's wildest peaks.

Of course you can't talk about walking holidays in France without mentioning Mont Blanc. Explore offer two hiking tours that take in the majesty of this mountain. Alpine Trails take you from the Chamonix valley to the Matterhorn and Bernese Oberland, whilst the Mont Blanc Trek takes in many of the mountain's spectacular highlights.

Home to the most famous cycle race in the world, France offers great cycling holidays through rich countryside and delightful towns and villages. And after a day in the saddle, why not reward yourself with a glass of wine?

The Loire Valley offers an easy-going cycling holiday with plenty of opportunities to stop off and see the sites en route. You go at your own speed as you don't normally cycle as a group. Maps and guidebooks are provided allowing you to plan where you want to stop off for a break. Artists may like to visit Clos Luce Manor near Amoise where Leonardo da Vinci spent his last 3 years, whilst gardeners can explore the beautifully recreated Renaissance gardens at Villandry.

Easy riders may also be interested in The Canal du Midi, which links the Atlantic to the Mediterranean and was built in the 17th century. At 240km in length, it features some 99 locks and 133 bridges. Don't worry, we won't be doing the whole route on this cycling holiday! We'll be riding along in the Mediterranean, cycling through history as we pass through the land of the Cathars and Narbonne - formerly the capital of Rome's first settlement in Gaul.

A food and wine lovers' delight, Burgundy is for those who want a cycling holiday that's a bit more challenging. Free to cycle independently or with fellow cyclists, you can decide what format the day's ride will take and where you want to stop off along the way. How about site of the battle of Alesia where the Gauls made their last stand against the Roman empire as they were defeated by Julius Caesar and his army? Or maybe cycle along part of the "Route de Grands Crus" (wine route) to sample the many varieties.

Alternatively, try cycling in Provence. An inspiration for many an impressionist painting, the region offers delightful villages, historic sites and vineyards to cycle through and to. Sample some Chateauneuf du Pape, admire the many ancient fountains at Pernes le Fontaine and visit St Remy de Provence, birthplace of Nostradamus.

Our Dordogne Discovery activity holiday offers a great way to find out more about this area of France. Cycle to underground caverns and historic towns, walk to medieval villages and chateaux, and canoe along the river. At the caves at Padirac you have the option to take a boat ride that follows a subterranean river into chambers full of stalactites.

Why not take a family holiday in France so the children can practice their French? We offer a family version of our Dordogne activity holiday and a multi-active holiday in the Alps. The Savoie Alps provide plenty of clean mountain air in which the family can enjoy a multitude of activities, many of which are optional so your family holiday can be as active or as relaxing as you like. As well as searching for marmots and wobbling your way along a rope course, other (optional) activities include canyoning, rafting, mountain biking, horse riding and via ferrata. Now that's what we call an activity holiday!