Foulées des Battages

Attention all surfers! 🏄‍♀️ Who’s up for a race where the waves rule the coast? Meet for the Foulées des Battages in Nouvelle-Aquitaine! 🤠 Stunning trail routes await you in trail in Gaillan-en-Médoc, located in the Parc National du Médoc north of Bordeaux 🔥. So, Brice/Alice, ready to cross paths with Igor, but not to Hossegor? 🤙 This time you won’t face him in a surfing contest, but in two race formats to choose from 🏃‍♀️: an 8 km and a 15 km, combining forested sections forests 🌳 and road 🛣️. A mix that will let you discover the region and, above all, the landscape beautifully that it has to offer 🏞️.

For the story, the Foulées des Battages gets its name for a very specific reason: it refers to the annual Battages festival 👨‍🌾. It appeared about fifty years ago to celebrate ancient farming practices 🌾. Many activities are organized: a parade 🧺, a mass, a flea market 🧳, inflatable structures 🤹‍♂️, but also sheepdog demonstrations 🐕. The start and finish of the races will be announced to the sound of the harvest mower 🚜 of the era. A path will be created between two lanes of the flea market, right in the middle of the fields.

If you participate in the 15 kmnew challenge is organized 💪. The first woman and the first man can win 1 ham of the Jean Christophe Manenti artisanal butcher shop 🍗. If you’re hungry, that’s likely to be a major lure! 🤭 To form a crew, the Foulées des Battages offer a very original jersey for participants! 🎽 This way, on one side there will be traditional countryside outfits, and on the other, the traditional running gear! 🤩 In any case, if you come with your own stuff, please prioritize breathable clothing! 💦 In the middle of July, temperatures are high in Nouvelle-Aquitaine 🌡️, so also think about a cap and sunglasses! 🧢 Better safe than sorry (we just coined that phrase 😌). Anyway, the race day will be packed with fun and authentic vibes, whether you come alone or with loved ones 👫.

But if you’re planning a little stay, there are plenty of sights to visit as well! 🗺️ You’re right next to Bordeaux, so you can enjoy the historical monuments such as the Cathedral Saint-André ⛪, the Palais Gallien 🏰, or the Place de la Bourse 📊. If you don’t feel like city life, you can always head to the Dune du Pilat 🏝️, the largest in Europe and it offers a breathtaking view of the ocean. But you’ll also get your surf fix here! Lacanau or Soulac-sur-Mer are seaside towns 🏖️, already very nice to visit, but also count among the very good spots to go for a take-off! 🌊 For those less aquatic 🤿, a boat ride 🚤 on the Arcachon Basin (hope you don’t get seasick! 🥴) And if you’re lucky enough to win the ham, why not pair it with a fine tasting of the vignobles du Médoc? 🍷 By the way, if you didn’t win, you can still drown your sorrows—the two work! 😅

So, are you in for lacing up and lining up for trails on the Gaillan-en-Médoc trails? 😎

⚠️ Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, always drink in moderation.