A Walk Across France

by Miles Morland

"[A] humorous and effervescent memoir of reflection, revitalization and good wine." -- San Francisco Chronicle
At age forty-five, Miles Morland left his high-paying job at the London office of a Wall Street firm and took a leap -- actually, a hike -- into the unknown. A self-described "middle-aged wreck," Miles set out with his wife, Guislaine, to walk across France, from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic.
Setting for themselves the goal of twenty miles a day, Miles and Guislaine made their way past farmyards and riverbanks, through dusty village squares and ripening vineyards, into ancient walled cities and over sand dunes. And as the hot, dry countryside unfolded slowly before them, the couple looked back with relief -- and wonder -- at the tense, frenzied corporate life they had left behind.
The story of a walk, a marriage, an adventure, and a dream made real, A WALK ACROSS FRANCE marks the debut of an enormously entertaining writer.

Genres: France, Travel, Nonfiction, Memoir, Walking, Biography, Adventure

256 pages, Paperback

First published February 13, 1992

About the author

Mr. Miles Quintin Morland is the Founder, Partner, Co-founding Partner, and Chairman of Development Partners International LLP. He spent many years in money management and investment banking in London and on Wall Street, as Head of First Boston's office in London. He founded London Business School and served as its Chairman of Africa Advisory Board for five years. He serves as a Director of a number of emerging market funds, the Dubai Investment Group, and of various companies active in Africa.

Reviews

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing my French travel readings, this was fun because he evokes southwestern France in the heat of June, the countryside, and the marvels of walking even tho they weren't even in shape to do this!

[Melissa Juwale · Rating 4 out of 5]

From this book I learned that while walking through France that half the time the author and his wife had to stay in undesirable "shacks". However, I would have loved to have experienced walking through Hazelnut groves, the paths along the river, and seeing wild flowers from the walking paths with them. This book has inspired me to read more travel books.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book about a couple's trek across France -- from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic. Not every farm village is picturesque or quaint. Good to know. A wonderful trip, though, especially as an armchair traveler.

[Elizabeth Theiss Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miles Across France completely cured me of wanting to walk across France but I'm grateful that the author did and went on to write a delightful book about the journey.

[Emalia Tack · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a detailed recounting of the author and his wife's walk from the Mediterranean coast of France to the Atlantic after he leaves his job working for a Wall Street firm in London. More of the detail is spent on the walk itself than on events and thoughts leading up to him deciding to leave that high pressure world, although he did mention a few things.
A book of the genre often ends in idealism because it is written in hindsight but this book seemed to stay to true to the good, the bad, and the ugly and was funnier because of it! He did a great job at capturing what small towns are actually like and relieving them of the title picturesque. There is a bit of French dialogue in the book but its not a main part.
This book can be a simple read about the scenery and specifics of places in France and the hardships of walking but I think it hits on the more profound theme that the measure of "success" in career is subjective and that fast paced life is missing out on some of the fine details of life.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite the author being more than a bit insufferable (he is a retired Wall Street exec who worked during the 1980s) and misogynistic (but in that polite and gentle way), this was one of the more enjoyable Transformative Walks books I’ve read in a while. I particularly liked reading about how a trip like this was planned in the times before AllTrails and the internet. I was amazed at how little they (yes, he walked with his wife) knew about the towns along their route until they arrived - results were both charming and not. I also appreciated how the author conveyed the routine of a walk like this - readers expecting a more plot-driven story arc should not pick up travelogues.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

A jovial account of a mid-life crisis, this story of a husband and wife who backpack across France in their mid-40s, after years of upper-middle-class luxury and sloth, is quirky and winning. The author suddenly decides he's had enough of his high-powered job with a Wall Street firm, and he announces that he's going to walk from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic, instead of going to work any more. His wife just shrugs and joins him. The story of how their relationship grows as they walk across France is as engaging as the odd characters they come across on their trek, and the lovingly detailed stories of the local cuisine, culture and scenery make you want to book your ticket on the next flight to Nice. It's difficult for me to imagine actually walking for a month with these people, as pointlessly argumentative as they are, and the author can be both loving and childishly demeaning to his wife, but their spirit of adventure is infectious and their genuine willingness to get along despite their differences is inspiring. The first 50 pages are irritatingly slow, but once their actual walk across France begins, their tale is charming and satisfying.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not expecting to enjoy this as much as I did. I was expecting it to be a 3, but was pleasantly surprised. It almost makes one want to do the walk across France.

[karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book! It was a light, entertaining read and I would certainly love to make a lot of money and then be able to take a walk across France some day!

[Retzib · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book; the author is a very good writer. Interesting to see France through the back roads. Made me want to have a glass a wine with them as they traveled along.

[Linda H · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have had this book since the 1990’s, and this was probably the third time I started reading it and this time I finally finished it. I don’t know why exactly, but it was hard to get into, and probably as painful and boring as their walk. Perhaps because it was originally published in London and has many European references it was hard to get into, but I’ve been to Europe, France and enjoy long walks and coffee shops, so not sure why this didn’t resonate for me. The walkers aren’t overly interesting nor are the descriptions. The only way I would recommend reading this, is perhaps as a contrast to Grandma Gatewoods walk in the Appalachians or Wild in the Pacific Northwest.

[Janet · Rating 1 out of 5]

The story would have been better without the boring backstories that seem pointless. I’m a rich guy who hates my job. That’s terrible, I going to get a sandwich. I’m going to walk across France I’m going to have break the news to my children who are away at boarding school. Oh big surprise, they couldn’t care less as long as the money and their social status stay in place. Entitled wealthy couple go for a walk.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a pleasant stroll through France. We’re gearing up for doing the Camino this summer and so far I’ve done more reading about walking than actual walking.

[Wanda Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

The bits when his wife questioned him were fun.

[Kurt Murray · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read, especially in the COVID travel restriction era. Especially if you are fan of all things French.

[Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this very much. Travel, food and a bit of autobiography.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pleasant, as the reader rambles along with Moreland and his wife. An easy, engaging read.

[Rosemary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed; pleasant stories of walk across France.

[Elliott Bignell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second reading! I remember being only mediocrely impressed on first reading, but I found the book more fun the second time around. It's surprisingly well written and very witty, to start with.

The feat itself is quite something. The longest walk I have done is 100 miles in four days, and this was a long time ago. The author and his wife did this, four times the distance, when considerably older, with packs, and crossing the ridges of the Pyrenee foothills. In Summer. Aficionados of the Iron Man or ultra-marathoners might not be so easily impressed, but I thought it quite an accomplishment. The author gave up a career of Shouting Down a Phone to do this, for which kudos. Good decision.

I have read a great deal more history since I first read this book, and I think that explains the enhanced pleasure. The author is rather erudite, and has a lot to say about the ground he covers and the sights he sees. I need to read up on the Black Prince, who apparently left corpses strewn the entire length of the walk, although it sounds like they are mostly overgrown by grass or incorporated into walls by now. Morland also has a lot to say about the food along the way, not all of it complimentary. I can sympathise, as I spent a lot of time in France while my parents were in retirement together in Brittany and I can confirm that the quality outside Paris is very variable indeed.

The feeling of putting one's feet in the Atlantic at the end must have been quite a rush! First-class travel writing here.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book about a walk across France from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic. Miles Morland and his wife undertake this 350 mile walk although never before having walked more than a stroll around a park.

[MaryAlice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I believe I read this memoir a while back. I also believe I liked "Miles Away: A Walk Across France" by Miles Morland better the first go-round.

I liked the bits about the walk itself more then most of the area history lessons; the mini-adventures, the aches, pains, dealing with them, the disappointments and such.

Miles wife speaks fluid French which made communication easy while on their journey walking from the Mediterranean to Atlantic Ocean. However, not knowing many French words, it made for some frustrating reading for me. Some authors make clear the meaning of foreign language sentences by what else is said in the paragraph.

I enjoyed the couple, their sense of humor and admire their courage to embark on a walk.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book in the nineties. Loved it. Wanted to go walk across France myself.

About a couple who decided to chuck everything for a walk and a lifestyle change. They also rediscover a relationship. It is not sappy at all. Very humorous and honest. After you read it tell me if you'd like to buy a ticket, some hiking shoes and go with me.

[Kelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was slow in parts, but very good in eithers. It's autobiographical about a 45-ish husband and wife. He quits his high powered job in London and they decide to walk across France with no experience in such jaunts and no training to get ready. It describes some beautiful scenes, hotels, and food (and some not so beautiful).

[Li · Rating 4 out of 5]

a wonderful account of a husband and wife who walk from the mediteranean sea to the Atlantic ocean. Both of them not much of a walker before the trip, get into the best shape of their lives, learn a lot about each other and what is important in life. humorous, witty and informative. and I just love france

[Halli · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice light read by Mr. Morland commemorating his walk across France with his wife, Guislane. A good summer read, would recommend. Anybody else miss Europe (Stanton's/Cam?) because I certainly do.

[Mercedes Berger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such fun to curl up with on a sick day and transport yourself to other people doing such interesting and fun things! I forgot my bronchitis as I sweated and toiled my way across southern France. The author both entertains and is entertained by the characters and culture he encounters.

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some valuable reflection at the conclusion, but more of a daily log of activities throughout most of the book. Obviously a well-read author. Would like to give it a 2 1/2.

[Carrie Newman turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful tale of discovering a new land and rediscovering love. It was funny, heartfelt and poignant.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good-hearted read that I quite enjoyed. Quick and easy and entertaining and a really fun first novel for Miles Morland. I'd be interested to read what else he's written.

[Annette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one so much, and a major element of the enjoyment was how much Miles came to appreciate and admire Guislaine. Of course I loved "being back in SW France." Such pleasures!