I'm not really an /out/ sort of type but i really want to get into all that stuff eventually. However there is one thing i want to do first. A very big thing. I wan to walk to Southern France from my home town. It would be a roughly 1500km trip and i wish to pass through some cities on my way. My main goal is to just make it as far as i can, i dont have to force myself to complete the full 1500km right away. I just require someone to help me figure out if my current ideas are good or bad.

I will obviously carry a big backpack and store only vital stuff, just an extra change of clothes, spare socks and underwear, food and water ( i will plan the trip so i have at least stores to go to on the way), sanitary supplies, blanket, fire starting equipment, flashlight, small hatchet, a few cooking utensils and a tarp. The tarp was my main question as i was wondering if not having a tent would be a huge issue and a tarp would be enough of a shelter?
Please suggest anything else i should bring and how i should do it. I'm planning on going around this time next year.