©Kayak Jonathan Viey The Explorers|Jonathan Viey The Explorers

Our favourite sport events

The Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region offers all types of terrain where you can excel in stunning, sun-filled landscapes. Trailers, hikers and rock climbers have the choice of peaks at 3,000 metres and the balcony trails along the coast. The cradle of diving, the Mediterranean lends its waves to skippers and the rivers and lakes of the back-country welcome white water sports enthusiasts. From golf to skiing and… pétanque, the sports calendar is well-filled.

Published on 25 June 2021

Cycling

This double event is a first in the history of the Tour. For their 11th stage, on July 7, the climbers of the Tour de France will tackle the mont Ventoux twice, once via Sault and a second time via Bédoin. A homage to sheer leg power on the Giant of Provence recently listed a Natural Regional Park. Cycling enthusiasts can copy Julian Alaphilippe or Romain Bardet on the cols of the Hautes-Alpes, the Izoard, the Galibier or the Col d’Allos which are reserved for cyclists on certain days in July and August. On September 5, the mountain-bike racers of the “La Transvalléenne“ will explore the back-country of Grasse, from Gréolières les Neiges to La Colle-sur-Loup. As much a fair as a sporting event, for five days in October, Roc d’Azur commits 20,000 entrants to the discovery of the Massifs of Les Maures and L’Esterel. Gravel welcome. The 35 events also include triathlon and enduro.

Running & Trails

Eco-responsible and demanding, trail loves height differences with a view. So, the most popular nature sport has its favourite playground in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. The Trail des Mélèzes between the Haut-Verdon and the Mercantour goes past the fortifications of Colmars-les-Alpes. A highlight: the kids’ race. Like the Ubaye Trail Salomon or the Serre Che Trail, this high altitude course is part of the Challenge des Trails de Provence, which covers around thirty events. Autumn is also good for thrills. On the GRV (Grand Raid Ventoux), get your fill of oxygen and nature in the magnificent Monts de Vaucluse and the Dentelles de Montmirail. On the programme: 100, 50 or 27 km, solo or team. The first edition of the Grand Trail de Serre-Ponçon offers a balcony race around the biggest artificial lake in Europe. A challenge: the 86-km solo run from Mont Guillaume to Embrun. At the end of October, 1,200 runners from all over the world will compete in the Estérel starting from Mandelieu-la-Napoule. Le Trail des Balcons d’Azur is the only French event in the XTERRA Trail Marathon Series.

On the water…

Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, along the mother of all seas, the Mediterranean, is a region dotted with lakes and rivers, and white, fresh or salt water. For its first edition, from June 28 to July 3, The Rafting and Handiraft World Championships rolls down the white water stadium of L’Argentière-la-Bessée. 35 kilometres on the rocky River Durance, at the foot of the Ecrins. For les Voiles d’Antibes, around sixty old sailing ships will unfurl their thousands of square metres of sails before docking below the Château for a four-day festival. The event competes with the les Régates Royales de Cannes on the international yachting calendar. The beach at Sainte-Maxime hosts la Jet Cup, its thundering jets and its freestyle demonstrations. On October 30 and 31, record-breaking catamarans berth in Saint-Tropez to take part in the French stage of Sail GP, the 5th International team racing championships.

sortie-bateaux-a-antibes-juan-les-pins-ville-antibes-juan-les-pins.jpg — ©Ville Antibes -Juan les Pins

Speed!

L’Alpes Aventure Motofestival will take place in the Ubaye at the foot of the Col de la Bonette – Restefond. Trials, previews, constructors shows, driving school and a motorbike adventure film festival, will bring together moto trail enthusiasts, before exploring the highest roads in Europe, those of the Southern French Alps, in total freedom. To close the FIM EWC Endurance World Championships, the mythical Bol d’Or is back September 17 and 19 at the Circuit Paul Ricard Castellet in the Var. Atmosphere guaranteed for this mythical competition, also known as the 24h Moto. From October 6 to October 9, the 56th edition of the Rallye Antibes Côte d’Azur will follow forgotten roads such as the Col de la Couillole. Lastly, on October 2 and October 3, the show will go on in the air. The Gap-Tallard aerodrome will host the second edition of its Air Show: aircraft exhibition, maiden flights, flight simulator tests … Keep your eyes skinned for two much-awaited demonstrations, the Patrouille de France and the Champion du Monde de Voltige.

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