5 Ultra Trail Races in France worth discovering
From the Alps and Pyrenees to the forests of Île-de-France, the limestone landscapes of Occitanie and the hills surrounding Lyon, the country offers an extraordinary variety of ultra trail races in France, from challenging 100K ultras to 100-mile mountain adventures.
For international runners, however, the French ultra trail calendar can sometimes seem dominated by the same famous names. There is much more to discover beyond the biggest and most internationally recognised races.
If you are looking for your next ultra trail in France, these five races are worth putting on your radar. They cover distances from around 100 km to 160 km, combining very different types of terrain and offering everything from Mediterranean landscapes to historic French villages, forests and demanding mountain trails.
Whether you are searching for a 100K ultra in France, a 100 km trail, a 100-mile race or simply a new long-distance challenge, these events offer five very different ways to discover France on foot.
And one of them is also a Western States qualifier.
So, whether you are planning a trip to France specifically for an ultra, looking for a new race to add to your European trail calendar, or simply want to discover some of the country’s lesser-known long-distance races, here are five French ultra trails worth knowing.
1. La Diagonale des Yvelines – a 100 km ultra close to Paris
Location: Yvelines, Île-de-France
Ultra distance: approximately 105 km
Elevation gain: around 1,500 – 1,600 m D+
Typical period: April
When you think about ultra trail racing in France, the Yvelines probably isn’t the first destination that comes to mind.
That is precisely what makes La Diagonale des Yvelines interesting.
Located just outside Paris, this point-to-point race crosses the Yvelines from north to south, eventually reaching Rochefort-en-Yvelines. The event offers several distances, including a 105 km ultra, an 80 km ultra and shorter trail formats.
The 105 km course starts at Breuil-Bois-Robert, taking runners through the surprisingly rural landscapes of the Paris region before finishing in Rochefort-en- Yvelines.
Rather than huge mountain climbs, runners can expect forests, paths, tracks and rolling countryside. It is a very different proposition from an Alpine ultra, but still delivers the physical and mental challenge of a genuine 100 km-class race.
For runners travelling from abroad, there is an additional advantage: Paris is right on the doorstep.
You can combine an ultra trail with a few days in one of Europe’s most visited cities, while discovering a much quieter and greener side of the Île-de-France region.
Why run La Diagonale des Yvelines?
- A 100 km-class ultra trail near Paris
- Point-to-point format
- Predominantly forest and countryside terrain
- Accessible for runners travelling internationally
- A very different experience from the major mountain ultras
- An opportunity to discover the Yvelines beyond the Paris metropolitan area
If you are searching for a 100 km trail in France but don’t necessarily want a mountain race, La Diagonale des Yvelines is a race worth considering.
2. Ultra Trail Tour de Nancy – an ultra through the forests of Lorraine
Location: Nancy, Grand Est
Ultra distance: approximately 115 km
Elevation gain: around 3,800 m D+
Typical period: May
Nancy is famous for its architecture, its UNESCO-listed Place Stanislas and its cultural heritage.
But it also provides the starting point for one of France’s more unusual urban-to-rural ultra experiences: the Ultra Trail Tour de Nancy, or UTTN.
The flagship UTTN Roi Stan covers approximately 115 km with around 3,800 m of elevation gain. Starting from Place Stanislas, the route quickly leaves the city behind and heads into the forests and countryside surrounding Nancy.
A large majority of the course is on trails, with forest paths, single tracks, climbs and technical sections creating a surprisingly demanding ultra.
The race also offers something that many mountain ultras cannot: a combination of trail running, history and cultural discovery.
Runners encounter landscapes connected to Lorraine’s military, industrial and rural heritage while moving between the urban environment and the surrounding forests.
The result is an ultra that feels very different from the classic mountain races of the French Alps.
Why run the Ultra Trail Tour de Nancy?
- Approximately 115 km and 3,800 m D+
- Start in the centre of Nancy
- Forests and technical trails
- A strong combination of nature and cultural heritage
- A distinctive alternative to Alpine ultra trails
- Several distances available over the race weekend
For runners looking for an ultra trail in eastern France, the UTTN offers a fascinating way to discover a region that is often overlooked by international trail runners.
3. Grand Trail des Cadourques – an ultra through the Lot and around Cahors
Location: Cahors, Lot, Occitanie
Ultra distance: approximately 120 km
Elevation gain: more than 4,000 m D+
Typical period: April
If your idea of a great ultra involves spectacular scenery, historic villages and a destination worth exploring after the race, the Grand Trail des Cadourques deserves your attention.
Based around Cahors in the Lot, this relatively new event takes runners through some of the most distinctive landscapes of southwest France.
The flagship ultra covers around 120 km, with more than 4,000 metres of positive elevation gain. But the numbers are only part of the attraction.
The route explores the Lot Valley, limestone plateaus, cliffs, forests and historic villages, creating a constantly changing landscape throughout the race.
One of the defining features of the event is its relationship with Cahors. The different races converge towards the city, with the spectacular Pont Valentré providing an unforgettable backdrop to the finish.
The surrounding region is also home to famous destinations such as Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, making this an ideal race for runners who want to turn their ultra into a longer trip through rural France.
The event attracted around 1,450 participants during its inaugural 2026 edition and is set to grow further.
Why run the Grand Trail des Cadourques?
- Around 120 km and 4,000+ m D+
- Limestone cliffs, valleys and plateaus
- Historic villages and cultural heritage
- Cahors as the race destination
- A spectacular finish near the Pont Valentré
- A relatively new race with significant potential
For international runners searching for an ultra trail in Occitanie, this is exactly the kind of race that combines a serious sporting challenge with the feeling of discovering somewhere new.
4. Trail des Coursières – a Western States qualifier in the Monts du Lyonnais
Location: Saint-Martin-en-Haut, Rhône, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Ultra distances: 105 km and 163 km
Elevation gain: approximately 4,200 m D+ / 6,300 m D+
Date: May
For international ultra runners, one detail immediately makes the Trail desCoursières stand out:
It is a Western States qualifier.
Taking place in the Monts du Lyonnais, west of Lyon, the race has established itself
as an important event in the French ultra trail calendar while remaining relatively little
known internationally.
That may change quickly.
The 2027 edition introduces a new 163 km / 100-mile race, with approximately 6,300
metres of elevation gain. The event also retains its 105 km ultra, which features
around 4,200 metres of positive elevation.
The 105 km course takes runners through the forests, fields, hills and villages of the
Monts du Lyonnais before returning to Saint-Martin-en-Haut.
But the international attraction goes beyond the scenery.
Both the 105 km and 163 km races are qualifiers for the Western States Endurance Run 2028 lottery.
For runners dreaming of taking on one of the world's most iconic 100-mile races, that
makes the Trail des Coursières particularly interesting.
The new 100-mile course also has a generous 40-hour time limit, opening the race
to a broader range of experienced ultra runners rather than focusing exclusively on
elite performance.
Why run the Trail des Coursières?
- Western States 2028 qualifier
- 105 km and 163 km options
- Up to 6,300 m D+
- New 100-mile race in 2027
- Authentic trails through the Monts du Lyonnais
- Close to Lyon
- An interesting alternative to France’s major Alpine ultras
For anyone searching for a Western States qualifier in France, this is a race that deserves particular attention.
And for runners simply looking for a challenging 100 km or 100-mile trail in France, the Coursières offer a fascinating combination of distance, terrain and accessibility.
5. Festa Trail Pic Saint-Loup – a Mediterranean ultra in southern France
Location: Pic Saint-Loup, Hérault, Occitanie
Ultra distance: 105 km
Elevation gain: approximately 4,500 m D+
Date: May
France’s ultra trail scene is not all about mountains.
Around the Pic Saint-Loup and Hortus, north of Montpellier, the Festa Trail offers a completely different experience: Mediterranean landscapes, limestone terrain, technical trails and a strong local identity.
The headline race, the Ultra Draille, covers approximately 105 km with around 4,500 metres of positive elevation gain.
The word draille refers to the ancient paths traditionally used by shepherds to move their livestock through the region — an appropriate name for a race that connects modern ultra running with the history of the landscape.
The course travels through the distinctive terrain around the Pic Saint-Loup, including limestone ridges, forests, gorges, villages and historic paths.
And unlike some ultra events where the race is the entire experience, Festa Trail is built as a genuine trail-running weekend, with multiple distances and races allowing runners of different levels to take part.
For international visitors, the location is another major attraction. Montpellier, the Mediterranean coast and the vineyards of the Languedoc region are all within easy reach.
Why run Festa Trail Pic Saint-Loup?
- 105 km / approximately 4,500 m D+
- Mediterranean landscapes
- Technical limestone terrain
- Historic drailles and rural paths
- Close to Montpellier and the Mediterranean coast
- A complete trail-running weekend
- A strong combination of sport, nature and French culture
If you are searching for a Mediterranean ultra trail in France, Festa Trail offers a very different alternative to the country’s better-known Alpine races.
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EXPLORE TRAILRUNADVISOR →Five ultra trails, five very different sides of France
One of the best things about ultra trail racing in France is the sheer variety.
These five races demonstrate just how different a French ultra can be.
At La Diagonale des Yvelines, you can run a 100 km-class race through forests and countryside just outside Paris.
At the Ultra Trail Tour de Nancy, the city gives way to the forests and trails of Lorraine.
The Grand Trail des Cadourques takes you into the limestone landscapes and historic villages of the Lot.
The Trail des Coursières offers something particularly attractive for ambitious international ultra runners: a Western States qualifier, with both 105 km and 163 km options.
And at Festa Trail Pic Saint-Loup, you can experience the Mediterranean side of French trail running, surrounded by limestone mountains, vineyards and historic paths.
None of these races needs to compete with France's biggest international ultras to be worth discovering.
In fact, that is the point.
If you are planning your next ultra trail in France, looking for a new European race destination, or simply want to experience a different side of French trail running, these events are excellent places to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best ultra trail races in France for international runners?
France offers a wide variety of ultra trail races for international runners, from 100 km-class events to 100-mile races. Five races worth discovering are La Diagonale des Yvelines near Paris, Ultra Trail Tour de Nancy, Grand Trail des Cadourques, Trail des Coursières and Festa Trail Pic Saint-Loup. Each offers a different experience, from forests and countryside to Mediterranean landscapes, limestone terrain and mountain trails.
What are the best 100 km ultra trail races in France?
Several French ultra trail races offer distances around 100 km. La Diagonale des Yvelines covers approximately 105 km near Paris, Trail des Coursières offers a 105 km race in the Monts du Lyonnais, and Festa Trail Pic Saint-Loup features a 105 km ultra in southern France. The Grand Trail des Cadourques is slightly longer, at around 120 km.
Which ultra trail race in France is a Western States qualifier?
Trail des Coursières is a Western States qualifier in France. Its 105 km and 163 km races are qualifiers for the Western States Endurance Run 2028 lottery. The event also introduces a new 163 km 100-mile race with approximately 6,300 metres of elevation gain.
What are the most scenic ultra trail races in France?
The races featured in this guide offer very different landscapes. The Grand Trail des Cadourques crosses the Lot Valley, limestone plateaus, cliffs, forests and historic villages. Festa Trail Pic Saint-Loup offers Mediterranean landscapes, limestone terrain, gorges and historic paths, while La Diagonale des Yvelines takes runners through forests and countryside close to Paris.
Which ultra trail races in France are easiest to combine with a holiday?
Several races can be combined with a wider trip around France. La Diagonale des Yvelines is located close to Paris, while Festa Trail Pic Saint-Loup is near Montpellier, the Mediterranean coast and the Languedoc vineyards. The Grand Trail des Cadourques is based around Cahors and offers the opportunity to explore destinations such as Saint-Cirq-Lapopie.
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