France is home to the most famous and biggest cycling race, the Tour de France.
It’s no surprise that some of the best Gran Fondo occur in France. It’s a large country with a diverse landscape, ranging from the French Alps and French Pyrenees to the rolling hills of the countryside and beautiful coast along the Mediterranean sea.
The five best French sportives are;
- Paris Roubaix Challenge takes place a few hours before the men’s race. Riders would get the chance to ride through the fabled cobbled sectors, the Carrefour de l’Arbre, and the Trouée d’Arenberg. Choose from various distances; from 70, 145, and 170km.
- Lapierre Gran Fondo Mont Ventoux goes up the iconic Mont Ventoux featured in the Tour de France many times. The Giant of Provence climb is a tough one at 20.8km and averaging 8.9%.
- Marmotte Granfondo Alpes passes the iconic mountain passes in the French Alps such as Col du Glandon, Col de Telegraphe, Col du Galibier and Alpe d’Huez. The ride starts in Bourg d’Oisans and finishes on top of the Alpe d’Huez. It’s a tough route with over 5,000m elevation gain in 177km.
- L’Etape Du Tour is organized by the same organizers of the Tour de France. The route for 2023 is the same as the 2023 Tour de France Stage 14, which passes through the Col de la Ramaz and Col de Joux Plane before finishing in Morzine.
- Haute Route Alps is a 7-day race across France, from Megève to Nice. The route covers the Alpe d’Huez, Col du Glandon, Col du Granon, Col de l’Izoard, Col de Romme, Col du Galivier, and Col d’Agnel. Each stage ranges from 83 to 152km long, and a 15km uphill time trial (Col du Granon) in between.
Here’s a list of all the Gran Fondos in France for 2023.
Date | Gran Fondo | Location | Distances | Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
7 Jan 2023 | Normandicat Offroad | Caen | 150km | Gravel |
11 Mar 2023 | The Paris-Nice Challenge | Nice | 110km | Gran Fondo |
19 Mar 2023 | La Montagnacoise | Montagnac | 99, 132km | Gran Fondo |
24 Mar 2023 | The Roots Bikepacking | Angoulême | 700, 1,500km | Gravel |
26 Mar 2023 | GFNY Cannes | Cannes | 67, 121km | Gran Fondo |
1 Apr 2023 | L’Héraultaise Cyclosportive | Gignac | 52, 142, 162km | Gran Fondo |
2 Apr 2023 | La Bisou | Peronnas | 75, 141km | Gran Fondo |
3 Apr 2023 | The Gravel Cyrpeo | Gignac | 68km | Gravel |
8 Apr 2023 | Malteni Gravel Bootleggers | Tilloy lez Marchiennes | 260km | Gravel |
8 Apr 2023 | Paris Roubaix Challenge | Busigny | 70, 145, 170km | Gran Fondo |
15 Apr 2023 | Gravel Tour Charente | Mouthiers-sur-Boëme | 224km | Gravel |
22 Apr 2023 | La Bourgogne Cyclo | Viré en Mâconnais | 104, 155km | Gran Fondo |
22 Apr 2023 | Cyclo Sud Bourgogne | Viré | 80km | Gravel |
22 Apr 2023 | Cyclo South Burgundy | Vire | 80km | Gravel |
27 Apr 2023 | 66 Degrés Sud | Perpignan | 10, 50, 125km | Gran Fondo |
29 Apr 2023 | La Lozérienne Cyclo | La Canourgue | 52, 105, 155km | Gran Fondo |
13 May 2023 | Tro Bro Leon Cyclo | Lannilis | 30, 60, 122km | Gravel |
13 May 2023 | Graveloppet | Aubenas | 60km | Gravel |
14 May 2023 | Raid Paris-Roubaix VTT | Roubaix | 60, 125km | Gran Fondo |
14 May 2023 | Octogonale Aveyron | Luc La Primaube | 98, 137km | Gran Fondo |
14 May 2023 | Granfondo La Vençoise | Vence | 107, 133km | Gran Fondo |
14 May 2023 | Gran Fondo Vosges | La Bresse | 68, 122, 175km | Gran Fondo |
20 May 2023 | Les Boucles du Haut Béarn | Oloron-Sainte-Marie | 100, 135km | Gravel |
27 May 2023 | The Laughing Cow | Lons-le-Saunier | 59km | Gravel |
27 May 2023 | La Vache qui Rit | Lons-le-Saunier | 35, 84, 116, 165km | Gran Fondo |
28 May 2023 | La Mercan’Tour Classic Rando | Valberg | 108, 136km | Gran Fondo |
28 May 2023 | La Monmond | Contres | 95, 106km | Gran Fondo |
28 May 2023 | GFNY Villard de Lans | Villard de Lans | 47, 97km | Gran Fondo |
28 May 2023 | Les Marcaires Gran Fondo | Gunsbach | 120km | Gran Fondo |
3 Jun 2023 | The 3 Balloons Santini | Luxeuil les Bains | 122, 210km | Gran Fondo |
3 Jun 2023 | Les Trois Ballons Santini | Ronchamp | 122, 210km | Gran Fondo |
3 Jun 2023 | La Claudio Chiappucci | Arnay-le-Duc | 36, 78, 100, 156km | Gran Fondo |
3 Jun 2023 | La Marion Clignet | Mauvezin | 10, 52, 85, 126km | Gran Fondo |
4 Jun 2023 | La Limousine Cyclo | Limoges | 68, 126, 160km | Gran Fondo |
4 Jun 2023 | La Faucigny Glières | Bonneville | 89, 118km | Gran Fondo |
4 Jun 2023 | Wish One Gravel Race | Millau | 80, 130km | Gravel |
4 Jun 2023 | Cyclosportive La Drapoise René Vietto | Drap | 125km | Gran Fondo |
10 Jun 2023 | The Race Across Europe | Boulogne-sur-Mer | 2,933 miles, 6 countries | Ultra |
10 Jun 2023 | BN200 | Nantes | 200km | Gravel |
10 Jun 2023 | Megève Mont-Blanc Cyclosportive | Megève | 75, 100, 165km | Gran Fondo |
10 Jun 2023 | PYRENEES 36 – Your Best 36 Hours! | Hautes-Pyrenees | 220, 400, 600km | Ultra |
10 Jun 2023 | Roc Laissagais | Laissagais | 30, 50km | Gravel |
10 Jun 2023 | La Eloi Tassin | Vay | 80, 95, 130km | Gran Fondo |
10 Jun 2023 | La Périgordine | Montignac Lascaux | 40, 70, 90, 165km | Gran Fondo |
11 Jun 2023 | La Volcane | Volvic | 63, 98km | Gran Fondo |
11 Jun 2023 | Lapierre Gran Fondo Mont Ventoux | Vaison la Romaine | 80, 137km | Gran Fondo |
11 Jun 2023 | GFNY Lourdes Tourmalet | Lourdes | 45, 99 miles | Gran Fondo |
15 Jun 2023 | Raid Pyrenees | Pyrénées-Atlantique | 705km | Tour |
16 Jun 2023 | Gravel of Legend Legendre | Arromanches-les-Bains | 187 miles | Gravel |
17 Jun 2023 | Grand Huit Luxeuil Vosges du Sud | Luxeuil les Bains | 30, 73, 103 miles | Gran Fondo |
17 Jun 2023 | Cyclo La Bernard-Hinault | Saint-Brieuc | 120, 200km | Gran Fondo |
18 Jun 2023 | Morzine Haut Chablais | Morzine | 105, 155km | Gran Fondo |
18 Jun 2023 | Nature is Bike – Gravel 100 DT Swiss | Angers | 100km | Gravel |
23 Jun 2023 | La Trilogy de Maurienne | St Jean de Maurenne | 72, 98, 100, 128km | Gran Fondo |
24 Jun 2023 | L’Ariégeoise Cyclosportive | Ariégeoise | 58, 75, 110, 126, 162, 178km | Sportive |
24 Jun 2023 | PLB MUCO | Callac | 25, 60, 100, 135km | Gran Fondo |
25 Jun 2023 | L’Alsacienne | Kruth | 70, 118, 146, 195km | Gran Fondo |
25 Jun 2023 | Marmotte Gran Fondo Alps | Bourg d Oisans | 76, 98, 177km | Gran Fondo |
25 Jun 2023 | La Vaujany Gran Fondo | Vaujany | 40, 117, 175km | Gran Fondo |
30 Jun 2023 | Anjou Velo Vintage | Saumur | 30, 40, 60km | Festival |
30 Jun 2023 | Cyclo Les copains Cyfac | Ambert | 67, 90, 115, 133, 156km | Gran Fondo |
1 Jul 2023 | Gravel Trophy 2022 | Valberg | 300km | Gravel |
2 Jul 2023 | L’Etape Du Tour | Annemasse | 152km | Gran Fondo |
2 Jul 2023 | La Cyclo JPP Neuf de Coeur | Cluses | 70, 100, 130km | Gran Fondo |
2 Jul 2023 | GFNY La Vaujany Alpe d’Huez | Vaujany | 55, 105km | Gran Fondo |
3 Jul 2023 | La Cœur de Bretagne | Malestroit | 10, 60, 103km | Gran Fondo |
4 Jul 2023 | Haute Route Pyrenees | Biarritz | 634km | Gran Fondo |
9 Jul 2023 | GFNY Grand Ballon | Alsace | 36, 90km | Gran Fondo |
16 Jul 2023 | The Alp Challenge | Geneve | 720km | Tour |
21 Jul 2023 | Campilaro | Hautes-Pyrénées | 370km | Gran Fondo |
22 Jul 2023 | Châtel Chablais Leman Race | Châtel | 63, 107, 150km | Gravel |
29 Jul 2023 | La Pierre-Jacques en Barétous | Aramits | 67, 114km | Gran Fondo |
29 Jul 2023 | Courir pour la Paix | Chailly-sur-Armençon | 40, 80, 110, 135km | Gran Fondo |
30 Jul 2023 | Gravel’Ardèche | Saint-Agreve | 40, 80, 160km | Gravel |
5 Aug 2023 | Ride Across Europe | Nice | 12 stages | Tour |
6 Aug 2023 | Cyclosportive de la Madeleine | La Chambre | 35, 60, 115, 135km | Gran Fondo |
13 Aug 2023 | Etape Sanfloraine | St Flour | 43, 57, 109, 146km | Gran Fondo |
20 Aug 2023 | la Mercan’Tour Ultra Bonette DT SWISS | Valberg | 212, 190km | Gran Fondo |
20 Aug 2023 | Haute Route Alps | Geneva | 792km | Gran Fondo |
20 Aug 2023 | The Figure of Hate Sportive | Axat | 96, 195km | Sportive |
20 Aug 2023 | La Louis Pasteur | Dole | 39, 78, 113, 145km | Gran Fondo |
20 Aug 2023 | La Cyclo Thomas Voeckler | Morzine | 39, 58, 87, 92km | Gran Fondo |
20 Aug 2023 | Le Gravel des Marlères | Estialescq | 27,54km | Gravel |
25 Aug 2023 | AlpinBike Lac d’Annecy | St Jorioz | 20, 54, 101, 136km | Gran Fondo |
26 Aug 2023 | Alpinbike Lake Annecy | Saint Jorioz | 71km | Gravel |
26 Aug 2023 | Shimano 24 Hours Cycling | Le Mans | 24 hours | Gran Fondo |
27 Aug 2023 | La Cyclo Morbihan | Plouay | 67, 87, 125, 155km | Gran Fondo |
27 Aug 2023 | Grand Prix de Plouay des Amateurs | Plouay | 150km | Gran Fondo |
27 Aug 2023 | 5ème Edition de la Rando des Ballons | Gerardmer | 52, 90, 163km | Gran Fondo |
27 Aug 2023 | GFNY Alpes Vaujany Croix de Fer | Vaujany | 41, 115km | Gran Fondo |
27 Aug 2023 | AlpinBike Lac d’Annecy Gravel Tour | Saint-Jorioz | 71km | Gravel |
30 Aug 2023 | HotChillee Alpine Challenge | Morzine | 334km | Gran Fondo |
2 Sep 2023 | Gravel Tour du Mont Blanc | Megève | 70, 100, 200km | Gravel |
2 Sep 2023 | Châtel Chablais Léman Race | Châtel | 63, 104, 160km | Gran Fondo |
3 Sep 2023 | Raid à Domf’ | Dijon | 25, 40, 50, 60, 75, 85, 100km | Gravel |
3 Sep 2023 | La Jean-François Bernard | Corbigny | 77, 95, 136km | Gran Fondo |
3 Sep 2023 | La Casartelli | Couserans | 59, 107km | Gran Fondo |
3 Sep 2023 | La Cycl Roquefort | Roquefort | 48, 96, 145km | Gran Fondo |
3 Sep 2023 | Look Marmotte Gran Fondo Pyrénées | Argeles Gazost | 163km | Gran Fondo |
7 Sep 2023 | Les Monts d’Lauxois | Semur-en-Auxois | 85, 130km | Gran Fondo |
9 Sep 2023 | Ultra Bike Pursuit: Hautacam | Hautes-Pyrenees | 1,002, 1,333km | Ultra |
9 Sep 2023 | Pyrenees Gravel Experience | Argelès-Gazost | 3 days | Gravel |
9 Sep 2023 | The Picarde Baie de Somme Gran Fondo | Abbeville | 50, 128, 180km | Gran Fondo |
10 Sep 2023 | Cyclo La Ventoux Sud | Mallemort Of The Comtat | 82, 145km | Gran Fondo |
10 Sep 2023 | La Raymond Martin | Oncy-sur-École | 95, 150km | Gran Fondo |
15 Sep 2023 | La Drômoise | Drome | 80, 115km | Gran Fondo |
17 Sep 2023 | Mercan’Tour Madone Peille | Maritime Alpes | 80, 111km | Gran Fondo |
17 Sep 2023 | Ultimate Pyrenees Pursuit | Bagnères-de-Bigorre | 2,300km, 2,700km | Gravel |
23 Sep 2023 | La Resistance | Plage de Talloires | 90, 130km | Gravel |
23 Sep 2023 | Les Bosses de Provence | Marseille | 93, 130, 164km | Gran Fondo |
24 Sep 2023 | La Bocage Gâtinais | Egreville | 96, 147km | Gran Fondo |
30 Sep 2023 | Graviers d’Or | Dijon | 55, 80, 100, 140km | Gravel |
1 Oct 2023 | Viking 76 | Yerville | 100, 150km | Gran Fondo |
6 Oct 2023 | Haute Route Ventoux | Bedoin | 3 days, 220km | Gran Fondo |
8 Oct 2023 | Gravel Roc | Fréjus | 65km | Gravel |
14 Oct 2023 | Le Raid Des Alpilles | Saint Rémy de Provence | 74, 111km | Gravel |
15 Oct 2023 | Le Raid Des Alpilles | Saint Rémy de Provence | 125km | Gran Fondo |
31 Oct 2023 | Corn Groove Kheer | Eckwersheim | 44, 61, 110km | Gravel |
Alex Lee is the founder and editor-at-large of Mr. Mamil. Coming from a professional engineering background, he breaks down technical cycling nuances into an easy-to-understand and digestible format here.
He has been riding road bikes actively for the past 12 years and started racing competitively in the senior category during the summer recently.