Amazon.fr<\/strong> usually offers quick delivery – just be sure to check the estimated delivery times.<\/p>\nWhen relying on parcel delivery, it\u2019s a good idea to check whether Colissimo<\/strong> (the French postal service\u2019s parcel division) or DHL<\/strong> works better in your area. Often, DHL hands parcels over to Colissimo for local delivery.<\/p>\nWithin mainland France, parcels typically take 2\u20133 business days<\/strong>, while deliveries from Central Europe can take 5\u20136 business days<\/strong>. Sending your parcel to a pickup point<\/strong> or relay station is common practice and usually comes with a small fee. As a hiker, this can be very convenient if you find a shop with suitable opening hours near your destination or, even better, a parcel locker with 24\/7 access in a small town. Just be sure to plan ahead and allow for a bit of extra time in case of delays.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(0,0,0,0)” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
<\/span>Food Supplies: How to Keep Yourself Fed While Hiking<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nIn France, you can not only eat well, but also indulge in a wide variety of culinary delights. On Saturday mornings<\/strong>, local markets often offer interesting regional products, and in smaller towns, you might still find traditional artisan shops\u2014though, like in many other countries, the decline of small shops is also noticeable in France.<\/p>\nFor restocking your supplies, your best bet is to aim for the next supermarket<\/strong> located near your route. Most supermarkets open between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m.<\/strong> and stay open until 8:00 or 10:00 p.m.<\/strong>. Cooperatives like Super U<\/strong> have special permission to open on Sunday mornings<\/strong> (around 9:00\u201312:30 p.m.<\/strong>) and are a blessing for hikers who don\u2019t pass through large towns every day.<\/p>\nAlternatively, bakeries<\/strong> (Boulangeries) are often open on weekends, at least for a few hours (usually starting at 7:00 a.m.<\/strong>). However, they often have one or two rest days during the week, with Thursday<\/strong> or Wednesday<\/strong> being common.<\/p>\nFor a hot meal in larger towns, head to restaurants<\/strong>, brasseries<\/strong>, or auberges<\/strong> (inns). In the mountains, you will find mountain huts<\/strong> (Refuges) offering lunch and dinner (though not all of them do, so make sure to check before heading out).<\/p>\nG\u00eetes d\u2019\u00e9tape<\/strong>, pilgrims’ hostels<\/strong>, and youth hostels<\/strong> frequently offer dinner<\/strong> and, in some areas with limited food options, they may also provide packed lunches<\/strong>.<\/p>\nFor budget-friendly options, you\u2019ll often find sandwiches<\/strong>, baguettes<\/strong>, and other quick meals at bakeries<\/strong> and supermarkets<\/strong>.<\/p>\nLunch is typically served between 12:00 and 2:00 p.m.<\/strong>, and dinner is usually available from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.<\/strong>. Many restaurants close between meal times, from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m.<\/strong>. Additionally, many places are closed entirely on Sunday afternoons<\/strong>, Mondays<\/strong>, and during certain holidays<\/strong>, so make sure to plan your meals carefully on those days.<\/p>\nNowadays, Google<\/strong> is quite reliable when it comes to finding open supermarkets, restaurants, or caf\u00e9s nearby.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(0,0,0,0)” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
<\/span>Drinking Water \u2013 Tips for Staying Hydrated on the Trail<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nThe best approach for staying hydrated while hiking in France is to fill your water bottles in the morning for the entire day\u2014unless you plan a midday stop at a caf\u00e9 or restaurant. Tap water is safe to drink throughout France, so there\u2019s no need to rely solely on bottled water from supermarkets.<\/p>\n
However, you should avoid drinking water from rivers, streams, or lakes<\/strong> unless you are in high mountain regions<\/strong>. Centuries of agricultural and mining activities have left residues that portable water filters may not always remove. Only in the higher mountains should you consider using a filter at a stream, provided you can safely access it. In these areas, you primarily need to be cautious about contamination from wildlife and grazing animals, which a good filter can handle. In heavily farmed areas, though, I wouldn\u2019t even start talking about the water quality of natural sources…<\/p>\nYour safest option in France is to use the public drinking water network<\/strong> to refill your bottles. Early in the morning at mountain huts<\/strong>, hotels<\/strong>, or guesthouses<\/strong> is the easiest time. Additionally, if you take a break at a caf\u00e9 or restaurant and make a purchase, most places will be happy to refill your water bottles if you ask politely.<\/p>\nWhen passing through a city<\/strong>, keep an eye out for the increasingly common public drinking fountains<\/strong>. These are being installed more frequently due to the hot summers, and many of them are marked on popular map apps. They are typically operational from May\/June to October<\/strong>.<\/p>\nIn smaller towns, you may still find small flowing water fountains<\/strong> (they often look like troughs along a road or rest area), which are used by locals whose homes are not connected to the public water supply. These fountains are monitored by local authorities, but since they are rarely marked as potable, it\u2019s safest to filter the water before drinking\u2014even though many hikers can be seen refilling their bottles directly from them. Note:<\/strong> In times of extreme drought during high summer, these fountains may be turned off, with affected households receiving direct water deliveries.<\/p>\nBe cautious with decorative fountains<\/strong>, which you may still encounter here and there, especially in the north (they are much rarer in the south). These are typically filled with tap water in the spring, but afterward, they are only topped up and the water is recirculated\u2014resulting in poor water quality. If you have no other choice, you can use them as a last resort, but only after thorough filtering. Also, check whether there are