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IAT Welcomes France at AGM

On September 18 at the IAT Annual General Meeting in Gaspésie National Park, Québec, the IAT welcomed France to its growing network of trails in Europe, where the mountains were formed through the same geological events that formed the Appalachian Mountains in North America.  At hand was Armand Ducornet, Secretary General of La Fédération Francaise de la Randonnée Pédestre (French Rambling Association), with over 200,000 members in 3,000+ clubs and associations.

(L-R) Eric Chouinard – Director, IAT Quebec; Claude Duguay – Quebec Hiking Federation; Armand Ducornet – Secretary General, FFRP; Daniel Pouplot – Quebec Hiking Federation; Don Hudson – President, IAT Maine; Paul Wylezol – Chairperson IAT/IATNL; Richard Anderson – Founder IAT

The FFRP is a national not-for-profit hiking federation that manages 180,000 kms (111,850 miles) of marked paths and trails in 98 counties, with support from government and private partners.

During the AGM Monsieur Ducornet gave a presentation on the FFRP, as well as one on the European Ramblers Association (ERA).

He later confirmed his intention to recommend to the FRRP that France join the IAT as its 13th European Chapter, and as with all IAT AGMs, was promptly given an opportunity to toast!

FFRP’s Armand Ducornet making a toast with iceberg ice from IAT Greenland and Newfoundland

Below are highlights from the FFRP and ERA presentations.

Presentation on the FFRP

Presentation on the ERA

For more information on the French Ramblers Association, go to www.ffrandonnee.fr.

For information on the European Ramblers Association, go to https://www.era-ewv-ferp.org/.

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