Ladies Shoes for Provence, Riviera, CT

If you do the whole thing there are some steep rugged sections and also some steps.

The safest, surest thing would be to wear running or hiking shoes (the lowcut ones, boot sre not necessary). But if you are dead set against that, you could look at the various "Mary Jane" type shoes that incorporate traction soles and running shoe technology (good support and light weight, breathable fabric). Something like these:

http://www.rei.com/product/797578
http://www.rei.com/product/796035
http://www.rei.com/product/797202

There are lots more made by companies like Merrill, Privo, Ahnu, and Teva. REI has a good selection.

Just remember that if you wear them without socks, you are more blister-prone. Also, more open shoes allow grit and gravel to get inside, which is annoying because you have to stop a lot to remove it.

I'm sure some people get by in hiking sandals but I wouldn't do that; to much risk of cuts and bruses on your feet.

Myself, I'll go with the running shoes. But I'm taking those anyway as we will be doing some running and other hiking as well.

I am going thru the same thing but keep going back to the Merrill shoes I use working on my feet all day at a high school...I love their shoes...good bottoms that don't tire my bakc and have a good grip for walking on wet surfaces. For dress shoes I am bringing some wonderful and light fabric based shoes called - conversations shoes (just google the name) by apropos - made here in MA; they are so versatile and can be packed and carried so easily. very popular with airline attendants I hear.

I hiked all all over in a pair of Keens Venice sandals. They have a closed toe and good support.

Thanks ladies for your replies. I have a new Merrill gortex mesh boot with a very heavy duty tread on the bottom and it is mid/high cut. I think they might be overkill for this trip since only a few days will be devoted to needing good tread so I will look at REI & maybe the Walking Store for some shoes that can serve more than one purpose. My ankles can get a little wobbly on trails when there is not enough traction with the shoes so I just need to make sure I have good tread. Most likely I will stick with enclosed shoes but keep an open mind regarding the Keen sandals.
Thank you!

Those Merrill hiking boots definitely sound like overkill even for CT, and not something you would want to lug around France.

I don't know if you have an REI near Newport Beach, but i'll bet you do have a Nordstrom. I was just in there today (I work 2 blocks from the Flagship store) and they have a good selection of shoes of the type that would be cute enough to wear elsewhere on your trip but still suitable for hiking the trail. I found some black/turquoise Nike cross-trainers which are very sleek and lightweight, that I might take for this very purpose (hiking CT). We are going in June.

Lola,
I am going to check out those shoes at Nordstrom this weekend so thanks for the information. I am a really good lite packer but shoes are always the toughest part of the packing for me.