France has no shortage of stunning scenery, ranging from the wild coasts of Normandy to the idyllic French Riviera, with mountains, gorges, and even extinct volcanoes scattered in between.
It means that several cities are well placed for those looking to engage with nature and spend their free time outdoors – something important to more than a quarter of people looking to move according to a recent survey.
A YouGov survey found that 50% of adults in France had either recently moved or were seriously considering doing so, and for 26% of people a connection with nature and a greener environment was among the top priorities when choosing where to live.
Real estate website SeLoger and hiking app AllTrails in turn offers a list of the five best cities in France for those who want access to good hiking routes.
The list takes into account both the nearby scenery and the availability of quality housing.
Read more: Things to know about walking and hiking in France
Below are the top five cities recommended:
5: Cauterets (Hautes-Pyrénées)
This small town of less than 1,000 inhabitants is nestled in the Pyrénées mountains at an altitude of 1,000m.
Predominantly made up of second homes (over 90% of the area’s housing stock is used as a secondary residence), Cauterets is a well-known spa town, and has access to local ski resorts and hikes.
This includes two of France’s top ten trails (the Lac de Gaube and the Chemin des Cascades).
House prices are fairly high, reaching €3,083 per m², although rents can be low – around €555 per month for a 50m² flat.
Despite its focus on winter activities it is an excellent spot for year-round hiking, or frequent visits to a second home.
4: Mont-Dore (Puy-de-Dôme)
Another mountainous gem, Mont-Dore lies in the Massif Central on the bank of the Dordogne river.
Deep in the mountains, it is surrounded by several hikes that welcome people of all skill – the hikes can last for a few hours up to several days through the winding paths of the Massif Central.
The village is again a winter sport hotspot and spa town, although property prices are cheaper, averaging at €2,427 per m².
Around 75% of the homes in the village are secondary residences, but of the 1,200-strong permanent population, some 60% are owners with the rest renting, leading to a dynamic small area.
3: Fontainebleau (Seine-et-Marne)
Fontainebleau offers a blend of nature and urban life.
A short train ride from Paris, the town – which also boasts an impressive former royal residence – is surrounded by woods emblematic of the Île-de-France region, including the 25,000-hectare Fontainebleau forest.
The latter affords several walks of varying degrees of strenuousness, from small saunters to full-day treks.
Property prices are expensive at €4,837 per m² as many who live here work in the capital and commute to work, although this means less than 5% of the properties are second homes.
2: Marseille (Bouches-du-Rhône)
France’s second city boasts several impressive landscapes nearby.
The large urban centre that stretches into the north quickly melts away along coastal stretches that include the Calanques national park, and the city is an excellent starting point for jaunts into Provence and even the Alps.
It is also easy to get to the French Riviera, Alpine areas, and Occitanie from Marseille, providing the opportunity to hike in a wide variety of destinations.
In terms of prices, housing is more affordable at €3,693 per m², and the size of the city means the rental market is also strong.
Only around 3% of properties are second homes, and the city is naturally vibrant year-round.
1: Chamonix / Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (Haute-Savoie)
It is no surprise that an Alpine town takes the top spot.
The world-famous resorts of the area provide some of the world’s best winter sport experiences, but in the summer months breath-taking hiking routes are in plentiful supply, with around 160 nearby.
This equates to the highest number of hiking paths anywhere in France, with some 350 km of routes in total.
It is also an easy starting point to access areas in Switzerland and Italy that can offer comparable hiking experiences.
Prices are some of the most expensive in France, reaching €9,105 per m² and around seven in ten homes are secondary residences.
