Launching a major trail event in 2026 rallying the region’s communities within the Bibracte pilot for Sustainable Cultural Tourism
On 19 November 2025, the assembly of the twelve municipalities of the Bibracte–Morvan des Sommets Grand Site de France was held in the warm atmosphere of the Préperny chalet. On this occasion, the Bibracte pilot team presented in detail to elected representatives and to members of the CHEMINS association the Topo Athletic Bibracte Ultra-Trail®, a major trail event scheduled for 13–15 November 2026.
Organised as part of the SECreTOUR research project the Topo Athletic Bibracte Ultra-Trail® will bring together local stakeholders around Bibracte’s pilot initiative for sustainable cultural tourism. The event will also strengthens the region’s heritage communities, uniting residents, volunteers, institutions and visitors in a shared commitment to valuing and safeguarding the natural and cultural landscape of the Grand Site de France.
Around the archaeological site of Bibracte, the event will offer five races from 11 km to 180 km, including intermediate formats of 35, 70 and 100 km. These courses will test runners’ endurance and technical ability along the trails of this Grand Site de France. Between deep forests, preserved hedgerows, ancient paths and Gallo-Roman remains, every stride will reveal the mysteries of the Morvan mountains at the heart of autumn, taking advantage of an exceptionally dense network of rural paths.
Several hundred participants are expected to enjoy this unique experience with family, friends, or even colleagues!
The Morvan, well known among hikers and cyclists for the quality of its trails, now adds a new discipline to its list of achievements: the Topo Athletic Bibracte Ultra-Trail® will become the new gathering place for demanding athletes capable of taking on a 70, 100, or 180 km! Outdoor sports enthusiasts can test themselves on the 11 km or 35 km courses.
Much more than a trail!
Organised by Bibracte and the sports association Morvan Oxygène — which places strong emphasis on education through sport and on environmental values rooted in solidarity, sharing, respect and excellence — and developed in close partnership with local tourist offices, regional partners and the municipalities engaged in the Grand Site de France label, the Topo Athletic Bibracte Ultra-Trail® is a truly collective adventure. It embodies the spirit of a rural territory committed to preserving and enhancing its natural and cultural heritage.
A Burgundian ambassador
Cédric Chavet, an emblematic figure of the world’s toughest ultra-trails, will be the ambassador of this first edition.
Sponsors already on board
TOPO ATHLETIC is the exclusive partner of this edition. Topo Athletic, creator of trail-running shoes designed to accompany you in all your adventures, joins forces with the organisers to shine a light on this new event in the French trail-running landscape.
Nutrition expert 1DEFY, based in Burgundy, is also part of the adventure! Driven by an eco-responsible approach, 1Defy produces dietary supplements for sports nutrition and well-being.
Partners and supporters
The event is organised in close partnership with the stakeholders of Bibracte and the Bibracte–Morvan des Sommets Grand Site de France: local municipalities, tourist offices and socio-economic actors. It will mobilise many volunteers who will be recruited by Morvan Oxygène and the Grand Site de France.
The event is part of a pilot project on sustainable cultural tourism carried out within the SECreTOUR research project (2024–2027), funded by the European Horizon Europe programme.
The meeting concluded with unanimous support, and local elected officials expressed great enthusiasm about welcoming hundreds of runners to their communities and organising small festive and cultural activities for participants’ companions and the public.
REGISTRATION OPENS IN DECEMBER 2025
ALL RACE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT: WWW.BIBRACTE.FR/TOPO-ATHLETIC-BIBRACTE-ULTRA-TRAIL
