Race Across Paris 2026
Behind the scenes of the course with Pierre Lugat
Every edition of the Race Across Paris tells a story.
For this 5th edition, the event was designed with one clear priority in mind: the joy of riding, a smooth experience, and the overall experience.
At the helm is Pierre Lugat, our official course designer, who has created a more polished, balanced, and even more accessible course.
Cyclist on the Race Across Paris course
A route designed for cycling—for real
This year, the choice was clear:
Choose high-quality back roads
Create a smooth, seamless experience
Maintain a steady momentum without losing your rhythm
The tours will take you through:
The plains
The hills
The banks of the canals
Less well-known areas around Paris
Always with the same goal in mind: to get off the beaten path and offer a truly immersive experience.
Pierre Lugat
“The goal isn’t to trick the runners.
It’s to give them a real experience.”
Cobblestones: present but well-maintained
Cobblestones are part of the region’s history and the history of cycling.
They are therefore present, but in a deliberately restrained way.
They account for only a small part of the journey and have been incorporated as occasional moments, never as a dominant constraint.
Pierre decided to:
Limit their exposure
Avoid any buildup
Place them at appropriate points in the race
Yes, there will be a bit of tweaking and some technical work involved. But the goal remains clear: never compromise the overall experience.
One thing to keep in mind: in humid conditions, these sections require a little extra care.
A strong debut in Paris, as always
A cyclist in the heart of Paris.
The Parisian spirit remains at the heart of the experience.
For most distances:
Up Rue Lepic
Passing by the Sacré-Cœur
Panoramic view of Paris
Walk down to the Seine Riverbanks
Crossing Place de la Concorde
Walking past the Eiffel Tower
Then one last look at the capital from the Meudon Observatory, before heading to Versailles.
A standout moment, without compromising on smoothness.
The 200 km by Night Go’Lum Experience: a whole new atmosphere
The 200-kilometer night ride will take you to Amiens and its Gothic cathedral, the largest in the world.
A memorable scene, set in a completely different atmosphere.
And as always, a surprise awaits you just before you arrive—designed for those who like to experience the nightlife in a different way.
An accessible and engaging rhythm
The course was designed to be:
Accessible
Rhythmic
Engaging without being harsh
Few long flat stretches, no major elevation changes, but the terrain is always dynamic.
Building on the success of 2025, with even greater consistency and a smoother ride.
Key moments:
A complete tour of Paris
Arrival on the Normandy coast
La Roche-Guyon for the 300km and 500km races
Amiens and its heritage for the 200km and 500km races
The Jules Verne Circus
Memorable moments, without sacrificing the joy of driving.
A clear philosophy
With this fifth edition, Pierre Lugat has set a clear goal:
To offer a challenging experience, but one that is never forced upon you
Put the cyclist first, not unnecessary difficulty
Finding the right balance between image, the field, and enjoyment
Cyclist at the start of the Race Across Paris 1000km in 2025
