Best-equipped towns
Country-specific rules
The FFCO lists permanent orienteering courses in its map library. Leisure areas (Espaces Loisir Orientation) are meant for the general public and schools. Sports areas (Espaces Sportifs d'Orientation), with semi-permanent controls, are reserved for club members and mainly used for training and camps.
A course is often in a park or public forest: the site's rules apply, and the local council can set opening hours by municipal order. For conditions of use of a given map, the FFCO map library gives a contact.
Good to know
- Tell someone which course you are doing and when you expect to be back, and keep a charged phone with you.
- Set yourself a cut-off time: if you pass it, head for the nearest path and make your way back to the start.
- Leave every control exactly as you found it, for those who come next.
Read the full guide: orienteering courses →
FAQ
How many orienteering courses are there in France?
Oukonjou lists 8 free-access ones, in 8 towns.
Where are the most orienteering courses in France?
The best-equipped towns are Annecy (1), Grenoble (1) and Paris (1).
How do I find the nearest orienteering course?
Open the map, pick “Orienteering courses” and tap “Near me”: the list sorts by distance. Your position stays in your browser.
Do I need to book or pay?
No. The orienteering courses listed here are reported as free access: free of charge and no booking, within the rules posted on site (hours, age, sharing).
Data updated on November 2, 2026