La Traversée des Dentelles

It’s in the region Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur ☀️, in the department of Vaucluse, more precisely at Gigondas, where the association Traversée des Dentelles Organisation invites you 📍 to one of the most beautiful natural sites in the valley, the Dentelles de Montmirail massif 🏔️. Yes, we know, we’re thinking of Godefroy too and the Visitors ⚔️. You’re not alone 😅. But Montmirail may not be the only name that sounds familiar. You’ve probably already seen a Gigondas on a restaurant menu 🍷. With the Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas’ red wines are the lords of the lower Rhône valley 👑. We think it’s important to connect with the winemakers of the region, because they are the first organizers of this race, which still today maintains very close ties with this activity 👍. And what kinds of challenges do they offer? There will be races for children, a 5 km, a 11 km, a 21.2 km, a 42 km (maratrail). So my lord, are you ready to join this institution of the trail running? 🍃

The vibe will be the guiding word of the event that now has over 30 years 😮 and is a historic race in the Vaucluse sports scene 💪. It attracts about 1,500 participants each year, in the month of June, to run in the exceptional setting 🤩 of the Dentelles de Montmirail mountain range ⛰️. "La Petite Gambade" of 5 km is a trail running, open to all, including 210 mD+, and will appeal to those seeking their first trail experience 😃. "La Gambade" of 11 km, which starts at the same time as "La Petite", will welcome 420 mD+ and will offer very technical stretches! 🔝 You’ll also have the option to try a walking sportier form on "La Marche des Dentelles" 🚶🏼‍♂️. Now let’s move to “The Classic” of the event, whose record of 1h07 ⏱️ has stood for 30 years now, "The Crossing of the Dentelles". It’s no less than 600 mD+ that will challenge you on this loop. To finish with a bang, "The Marathon of the Dentelles". This course is technical, demanding, with several climbs and steep ascents, and will offer 2,000 mD+ 🤯. A small peculiarity: this race is qualifier for the UTMB® WORLD SERIES (50K) 🌍. You’ll mainly weave along roads and fairly wide trails that take you to sublime viewpoints 😍. On the other hand, where there are viewpoints, there are climbs! Crêtes of Arfuryen, Crête des Trois Yeux, and Crête de Saint-Amand await. Nature is ever-present along your route and the vines 🍇 in particular will show you their most beautiful colors in this season 😎. And if you’re a wine lover, you’ll be spoiled by the richness of the village’s vineyards. That’s good news, because you’ll receive a bottle Appellation Gigondas, after your race, nice right? 🍷

Once finished, we recommend visiting SéguretVaison-la-Romaine, and its numerous charms, including its multiple ancient remains 🏰. The Vaucluse is also the department of the lavender that will awaken your sense of smell and maybe even your taste buds 👅. Indeed, the plant comes in several forms: ice cream 🍦, honey 🍯, candy 🍬, (a Carpentras specialty) or as oil 😁.

So, rogue, ready to conquer the Dentelles? 😉