Croissants, seas of sandstone boulders and scenic limestone sport crags.
France is a highly sought-after destination for climbing, and for good reasons. From classic sport crags to scenic multi-pitch adventures just above the water or 4,000m up an alpine peak, there’s a something for everyone here, all year round. And then, there’s the unforgettable food!
As a rule of thumb, the quality of climbing gets better and better as you go South, with some notable exceptions.
For bouldering (‘bloc’). About an hour away from Paris, Fontainebleau is a world-class bouldering area with more than 30,000 sandstone boulder problems. To the West, in the Bretagne region, you’ll find granite boulders right by the beach, such as in Pen-Hir and Kerlouan. In the South, check out Targassone, Annot, Ailefroide and many more.
For sport climbing (’escalade sportive’), there’s no shortage of world-class crags. Start with the classic areas such as Le Saussois, Les Calanques, Le Verdon, Buoux, Volx, Chateauvert, Orpierre, Mouries… and then head to the more ‘futuristic’ falaises such as Ceuse, Les Gorges du Tarn, Saint-Léger du Ventoux, Orgon, Les Gorges du Loup... the list goes on.
For trad climbing (‘escalade en terrain d’aventure’), head to Annot, le Vercors, but also Les Gorges du Verdon or even Ceuse.
Deep water soloing is also worth a mention with Les Calanques, La Ciotat, Les Gorges du Tarn, Les Gorges du Verdon and La Piade being hot spots in the summer months. Watch for tourists when jumping off!
Last but not least, climbing is also well developed in French islands such as Corsica, la Guadeloupe (Caribbeans) and l’Ile de la Reunion (Indian Ocean).
Bonne grimpe!
===
A few useful words:
Some privately owned climbing areas may have restricted access. Check with https://www.ffme.fr/
Park where indicated, take care of the environment, buy the local guidebook when possible (this is one of the ways you can help local route setters), clean up your shoes before climbing, don't spray beta, be polite.
Ici pour la première fois ?
theCrag.com est un guide gratuit pour les sites d'escalade partout dans le monde, édité en collaboration par des grimpeurs passionnés, des bloqueurs et d'autres gens sympathiques.Vous pouvez enregistrer toutes vos ascensions, vous connecter et discuter avec d'autres grimpeurs et bien plus encore...» partez à la découverte, » en savoir plus or » posez-nous une question1C | ★★★ L'Arrivée | ||
2B | ★★★ Yellow 21 | ||
2C | ★★★ La Vise Haut | ||
3b | ★★★ Déclic fraîcheur | ||
AD | ★★★ Via ferrata du Malzieu | ||
3c | ★★★ Ouistiti | ||
4a D | ★★★ Arete des Cosmiques | ||
4 | ★★★ 42 / Mutant progresse | ||
4b | ★★★ Bras cassé | ||
4c | ★★★ Le moloch qui rit jaune | ||
4B | ★★★ Le Baraqué | ||
5a | ★★★ 23 / Amour et souffrance | ||
5 | ★★★ Voie du fond | ||
5b | ★★★ Walkyrie | ||
4C | ★★★ En Toit Net | ||
5c | ★★ Les écuries d'Augias | ||
5c+ | ★★★ Paddy | ||
6a | ★★ Katina | ||
6a+ | ★★★ Voie Rébuffat/ Baquet | ||
6b | ★★ Marylou | ||
6b+ | ★★ Harley Davidson | ||
6c | ★★★ Zagreb | ||
6A | ★★★ La Marie Rose | ||
7a | ★★★ La Javanaise | ||
7a+ | ★★★ Angel Dust | ||
7b | ★★★ Lapinerie | ||
7b+ | ★★★ Blocage Violent | ||
7c | ★★★ Vagabond d'occident | ||
7c+ | ★★★ Mirage | ||
8a | ★★★ Carte Blanche | ||
8a+ | ★★★ Sueurs Froides | ||
8b | ★★★ No war more love | ||
B13 | ★★★ Frout-frout | ||
8c | ★★★ Dures Limites | ||
8c+ | ★★★ La ligne claire | ||
8B | ★★★ Pyromane (sds) | ||
9a+ | ★★★ Biographie | ||
9b/b+ | ★★★ Mossoul | ||
8C | ★★★ La force | ||
8C+/9A | ★★★ Soudain Seul |
★★★ Cristal Salace Waterfall WI5 - IMG_3001-01.jpg
rew dans ★★★ La Science Friction 6A - science friction one handed-3.jpg
Matthew Ritchie dans ★ Le monodoigt 6a - C7A8086C-266A-4417-B5EB-BC9D068260AD.jpeg
Get a detailed insight with a timeline showing
Login to see the timeline!