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Greenlaning is a popular activity in France as most of the country is rural, and as many people in the countryside are employed in Agriculture related industries, a 4x4 is often a working tool. A network of local byways criss-cross the whole country, and the vast majority of them can still be legally driven, and many are in regular use by the local villagers. Some are in relatively good condition, with hard surfaces, and are usable throughout the year, some are surfaced with the old pavé (a type of cobble) which was regularily used before the 1914-18 war, whilst others have been neglected because of lack of use, and are quite often rutted, badly drained and overgrown. They are all interesting, but some of the neglected lanes can be challenging to drive. These lanes give access to parts of the countryside normally unseen by visitors. They are the local routes between the villages, crossing the fields, passing woods, and running along valley bottoms. Sometimes they are only a few metres away from motorways, sometimes they appear to be miles from anywhere, in the middle of nowhere. All that can be seen for miles in all directions is fields and woods. Crossing the fields, herds of wild deer can be seen grazing, and then when they hear the vehicles, bound away out of sight. Birds of prey, Hawks and Kestrels, sitting on fence posts watch you pass, and very occasionally, wild boar can be glimpsed in the woods.
You will pass isolated farms and tiny hamlets, many looking virtually unchanged since the 1914-18 war. Commonwealth War Graves from this war,all beautifully kept by the War Graves Commission, are also be found in remote spots,
The lanes and tracks used will be chosen according to your vehicle, level of equipment and driving skill. These range from lanes which can be driven in a standard vehicle with normal tyres, to tracks which can need, according to the season, Mud-Terrain tyres. We operate a "tread lightly" policy and show all the necessary courtesies to other users of the countryside.
4x4 Tours in Northern France 4x4 Massif Central Tours 4x4 Battlefield tours 4x4 Special offers. 4x4 Massif Challenge 4x4 Photos from tours 4x4 Tracking the Tank photos 4x4 The Battle of Cambrai Mudplug Calendar Mudplug Guestbook 4x4 Links