What is Multisport Tours with Discover France Adventures?

Discover France Adventures has been a pioneer in bringing self guided trips to travelers outside of Europe for almost 17 years now, and the formula has proven to be very popular as a great value alternative to the much more expensive guided tour. Our self guided concept is very much possible in our new MULTISPORT Adventures as well.

Multisport, or Multi Sport, or even Multi-Sport Tours are pretty much what the sound like: a tour complete with a variety of activities that are generally sporty in nature. Most of our tour volume revolves around cycling tours, and so cycling remains a central theme in all of our multisport tours. These tours are multi-activity too because we include fun events like treasure hunts and zip lines, and as they call it in French – Accrobranche! ( See below for a definition of accrobranche. )

Why Multisport?

Our guests have evolved and have over the last few years started to ask for more experiences. And, there are many ways to experience and ‘discover’ a region while traveling. We are all about adventure and the thrill it adds to a travel discovery. So, why not discover the Pont du Gard from a canoe? Or, the “petit Colorado” by mountain bike. Or, simply do something different – a zip line course for a pure thrill in all safety. We offer hiking itineraries to get you to spots a bike can’t reach, and we can even offer Via Ferrata, caving, sea kayaking, and honestly – so much more! The adventures available are almost as many as you can imagine.

The multisport are also good family adventures. In the Loire Valley, we offer both a Loire Multisport Tour and a Multi Activity Tour. Either is good for a family, but depending on the age of children, or even older adults, then you can choose less strenuous activities. These programs are not necessarily extreme sports events! Chocolate Tasting – yep, that’s one of the activities, and who can’t do that!?

Is it safe?

Here is where we can confidently say; But of Course! Mais Oui! In France where regulations are never in short supply, participating in these activities may give you a thrill but will never compromise your safety. All of our adventure partners are serious professionals and trained, licensed, and insured to monitor their sport/activity. You however have to measure you own thrill meter and judge when your comfort zone may be exceeded. For example, Via Ferrata is an amazing experience climbing high cliff walls in harness with triple attachment to a fixed line, but it can feel scary to some. It can also feel absolutely exhilarating to others! A canoe trip down the Cher River around the Castle of Chenonceau requires life jackets, but the water is flat, and the cruise is peaceful and beautiful. A nice contrast to the crowds bumping into each other on the land around the castle.

What’s Included and How Does it Work?

On all Discover France Adventures Multisport and Multi Activity Tours we include some cycling. We usually include our hybrid bike routes found on our regional tours. To this we add some hiking itineraries, some canoeing or kayaking itineraries, treasure hunts, zip line options, mountain biking, via ferrata options. All of our multisport tours are self guided. However, they can be operated as guided trips as well, simply contact us for a quote. There are sometimes when a guide or additional support is included for an activity that makes up a self guided trip. Canoe trips require transport, fit up, orientation, etc, but you do canoe on your own – no guide needed. It is important to see each itinerary and description and then ask for more information if you have questions.

Multisport Tour Names Commonly Found :

• Multisport
• Multi-sport
• Active adventure
• Multi activity

Some of our activities and their definitions:

• Sea kayaking, kayaking
• Climbing
• Trekking
• Downhill bike rides
• Zip-lining, zipline, zipline canopy tour, accrobranche
• Snorkeling
• Mountain bike
• Horseback riding
• Rafting
• Hiking
• Canoe
• Paddling
• Via Ferrata – pictured right; definition below
• Surfing
• Rock climbing
• Canyoneering
• Caving
• Hydrospeed
• Treasure Hunt – we make these personally as a way to introduce you to a city and its sites!
• Hot air balloon rides
• Cooking classes
• Downhill skiing
• Kite surfing
• Wind surfing

Accrobranche – hard to define in English, this is like a canopy based rope course; that is canopy as in tree tops.  This is France, so it is pine trees and other common tall trees.  Rope courses with wooden steps and ladders are used to cover a course.  Safety harnesses and carabiners are used to secure a participant.   As in the photo, all ages can do it, if your head will allow you to overcome!

Via Ferrata - Italian for "road with irons". Plural vie ferrate. It is a mountain route which is equipped with fixed cables, stemples, ladders, and bridges. The use of these allows otherwise isolated routes to be joined to create longer routes which are accessible to people with a wide range of climbing abilities. Walkers and climbers can follow vie ferrate without needing to use their own ropes and belays, and without the risks associated with unprotected scrambling and climbing.

Still have questions? Call us toll-free at 1-800-960-2221 and we’ll be happy to help you plan the right vacation.