Travel

Try GR5 to Les Houches then do TMB before continuing South.

Consider joining the UK branch of the Austrian Alpine Club. As well as giving reduced rates for accomodation in huts, it also gives free mountain rescue cover. Should you need it, helicopter mountain rescue for a sprained ankle would cost £2K upwards. Your ordinary travel insurance should cover walking on recognised paths where roping up, ice axe and crampons are not needed. Check that it will cover you for the full five weeks abroad.Get and take EHIC cards too. (This is the gloomy bit - we have never (yet) needed to claim ).

I would not expect continuous fine weather for 5 weeks! Be prepared to have a rest day as appropriate and try to plan walking times to suit. Take plenty of memory cards and spare batteries for your camera(s) - you will take lots of pictures .

Try to keep kit weight low - you could be ascending over 1000m on some days.

Maps - the French IGN publish a map showing all the GR routes in France. This is great for giving route ideas and Cicerone publish some good guides. A browse in a good bookshop will be helpful. Ask more questions on OM when your ideas firm up.

In any case HAVE A GREAT TIME.