Discover in text, map, video and links the spirit of walking in France, On the black roads, Sur les chemins noirs in french.

Sylvain Tesson walked over 1,000 kilometres across rural France, after a serious accident that resulted in a book. Like a quest for resilience and observation of the fringes of the country, before a film adaptation by Denis Imbert starring Jean Dujardin. Link, text, video and map.

Between Chemins noirs and cinema

Adventure, exploration and discovery are the hallmarks of Les chemins noirs: they sum up Pierre’s journey on foot across France, adapted into a film by Denis Imbert, loosely based on the book by Sylvain Tesson.

Black road maps

To follow Sylvain and Pierre’s itinerary along the black paths, you can use Google Maps and IGN topographic maps (blue series and TOP25) to cover all or part of the route across France:

Travel link