L’Épopée Royale brings gravel running to France, through the Loire Valley châteaux

When running becomes an escape into history and adventure... On November 21, 2026, L’Épopée Royale, France’s first gravel running event, will take place in the Loire Valley. Gravel running is a new format somewhere between road running and trail, designed for those who enjoy running long and free, away from the noise of big-city races. No obsession with split times or endless stretches of asphalt here: the course follows forest tracks, greenways and gravel paths, all set against the exceptional backdrop of the Loire Valley châteaux, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Gravel running, a discipline on the rise

Still a niche format just a few years ago, gravel running is now attracting a growing number of runners. The idea is simple: a smooth, accessible way to run on fast-rolling terrain with limited elevation gain, making it ideal for holding an easy pace while taking in the scenery. Compared with trail running, the courses are less technical and more open. Compared with road running, they reconnect runners with nature. L’Épopée Royale captures this new way of running perfectly: meaningful, close to nature, yet still demanding when it comes to the effort.

Equipment brands have also taken notice of the discipline’s growth. Many now offer shoes designed specifically for Gravel Running, with purpose-built outsoles, including Salomon’s new Aero Glide 4 Gravel.

L’Épopée Royale brings gravel running to France with a unique race through the Loire Valley châteaux, blending nature, history and running.

A sporting adventure, with solidarity at its heart

L’Épopée Royale is first and foremost an adventure. A test of endurance, strategy and emotion. Depending on the format they choose, participants will have up to 22 hours to reach the finish. But here, performance is not just about the clock. It is measured more by the ability to savour every moment and make the most of this exceptional escape.

The event is also part of a meaningful charitable initiative. The races are held in support of Les Invincibles, helping fund research into Charcot disease, also known as motor neurone disease. For every entry, €2 is donated to the association. As with major international marathons, running becomes an act with real meaning, where every stride counts for others. The cause is especially important to organiser Frédéric Pitrois, who was forced to cancel the 2025 edition because of his mother’s health problems. She was also affected by Charcot disease. This year, the race returns in the hope of finally celebrating its first edition, with solidarity still at the centre of the project. To find out more about Les Invincibles’ work, visit www.les-invincibles.com.

Secret routes designed to preserve the magic of the setting

This is one of the event’s defining features: the routes remain secret until race day. Runners know only the essentials: the distance, elevation gain and surface types. Everything else is a complete surprise. The organiser wants to preserve the sense of wonder and discovery, while protecting sensitive natural areas and securing access to private estates and remarkable sites along the route that are normally closed to the public.

The result promises to be spectacular: a route with no room for boredom, where every turn brings a fresh dose of excitement and magic. Majestic forests, towpaths, historic estates... The list of iconic sites is already known, promising a journey out of time: Château royal d’Amboise, Château de Beauvais, Château de Villandry, Château de Chenonceau and many more. The event’s different routes will take participants through the centuries, paying particular tribute to the emblematic figures of the Renaissance.

A race for everyone, with formats to suit every runner

Whether you are a casual runner or a seasoned long-distance racer, L’Épopée Royale has a distance to match. The event offers seven adult formats and three children’s races:

✔ 126 km – Épopée Royale SOLO (850 m elevation gain)
✔ 126 km – Épopée Royale Relay x5 (850 m elevation gain)
✔ 75 km – Diane et Catherine (610 m elevation gain)
✔ 55 km – François Ier (460 m elevation gain)
✔ 29 km – Le Défi d’Eudes Ier (210 m elevation gain)
✔ 13 km – La Vicomte (130 m elevation gain)
✔ 13 km – Night hike (130 m elevation gain)
✔ Children’s races (500 m to 3 km)

From the accessible 13 km course to the 126 km ultra-endurance challenge, everyone can find their own goal and run it at their own pace, in a dream setting designed around a safe, immersive sport-tourism experience. What kind of terrain should runners expect? Almost 80% of the routes will follow paths and trails. That is where the magic of this race lies.

Far from overcrowded city races, L’Épopée Royale offers a different vision of running: more human, more immersive and deeply rooted in its region. There is no racing the clock here, and no stress about finding your starting pen. You come to enjoy yourself, run for a good cause and move through exceptional landscapes. With its forests, trails and Loire Valley châteaux, France’s first gravel running event has everything going for it. Whether you are local or simply passing through, it is an experience worth having at least once, for the beauty of the setting and the pleasure of running differently.

✔ Registration for L’Épopée Royale is open on the race’s official website, www.epopeeroyale.fr.