The Path of the Customs Officers, a delicate line between the sea and the land, is perfect for discovering some of the most beautiful French coasts. And these hikes in dreamlike settings bathed in fresh sea air are even accessible by train!
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Follow the footsteps of the customs officers of the past as you walk along dizzying cliffs and hot sand beaches. From Brittany to Basque country and along the French Riviera, prepare to discover countless jewels of the French coast!
The Path of the Customs Officers: our top 5 hikes
The GR34 in Brittany: the most popular hiking trail in France
The Path of the Customs Officers, which runs along the Breton coast, is a truly unique trail. From the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel to the bridge of Saint-Nazaire, it offers one picture-perfect scene after another. The common thread of your hike along the GR34? The ocean. Its smell, its beauty, its power and the sound of its waves will bring you peace and invigorate you. There’s no better place to enjoy the sea air!
This coastal path extends along nearly 2000 km. Obviously, there is no need to walk the whole trail all at once. You are free to enjoy whichever section you like. They are all magnificent, but some of them are even more breathtaking than others!
The trail leaving from the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel is magical. The Crozon Peninsula reveals the beauty of wild Brittany with its natural headlands, steep capes and turquoise waters. As you walk past the Ploumanac’h lighthouse, give in to the charm of the Pink Granite Coast as it is illuminated by the sunset. As you can see, the Path of the Customs Officers is the most popular hiking trail in France for a reason.
The GR223: around the Cotentin
The GR223, the Path of the Customs Officers, links Carentan in the Calvados to Mont-Saint-Michel in the Manche, a distance of nearly 446 km. Along the way, you will find stunning landscapes, authentic villages and unique ambiances. Everywhere you look, there is something new to discover.
Where to start? The choice is yours! The cities of Carentan, Cherbourg, Granville and Avranches are all accessible by train. The marshes of the Cotentin, the cliffs of La Hague and the wide fine sands beaches all provide pleasant scenery as you travel.
At the start of the GR223, you can walk in the footsteps of the Allies as you stroll along Utah Beach, a Normandy landing site. At the end, you will be greeted by a view of Mont-Saint-Michel towering majestically before you!
Talaia: the Basque coast
“Talaia” means “lookout tower” in Basque. This coastal trail offers a bird’s eye view where you can admire the incredible spectacle that lies before you. From Bidart to San Sebastian, you will have the Pyrenees on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. It’s simply magical! The 54-km trail is divided into four sections.
From Bidart to Saint-Jean-de-Luz, you will find inlets and a sumptuous view of Saint-Jean-de-Luz bay.
From Saint-Jean-de-Luz to Hendaye, you can enjoy the breathtaking views of the ports of Ciboure and Hendaye, the cliffs and the surrounding scenery.
From Hondarribia to Pasaia, the beauty of the waves breaking on the rocks, the trails between the sea and the mountains and a spectacular view of Pasaia Bay.
Finally, from Pasaia to San Sebastian, you will see the La Plata lighthouse, the cliffs of Ulia, and the iconic backdrop of San Sebastian, the Bay of La Concha.
The Path of the Customs Officers on the Côte Vermeille
Picasso and Matisse both fell under the charm of the Côte Vermeille, which became a source of inspiration for them. Now you can follow in their footsteps as you discover the incredible landscapes. In the Eastern Pyrenees, between Racou, Collioure and Port-Vendres, you can follow the Mediterranean on the Path of the Customs Officers through dreamlike scenery. It is a truly idyllic setting.
Enjoy the mingling odours of the fresh sea air and the scents of the garrigue. In just one day’s hike, you can discover both well-preserved inlets and walled cities. Collioure is one of the jewels of the Côte Vermeille.
The trail along the Var coast
The most beautiful beaches of the French Riviera await you on the trail along the Var coast. The nearly 192 km of hiking trails between Saint-Cyr and Saint-Raphael offer a chance to follow in the footsteps of the custom officers of the past while soaking up the stunning scenery around you. The sea is never far, offering you a refreshing break. There’s nothing like a quick dip during or after a hike!
From Saint-Raphaël to Bandol by way of Saint-Tropez, the Lavandou and Hyères, discovering the authentic French Riviera by foot is sure to knock you over.