Trail de la Fontaine des Ânes

Hop on your most faithful donkey to head calmly to the fabulous Beaujolais region.🐴

Head to Alain-Rhône-Alpes where you’ll embark on an adventure at the heart of the Rhône department, more precisely in the village of Rivolet, not to be confused with the famous Rue de Rivoli in Paris. Here, no subways or skyscrapers, but a typical and authentic Beaujolais village where you can lace up to follow in the footsteps of the Trail de la Fontaine des Ânes at the start of June. Curious why the name? It refers to a bucolic, green little corner in Rivolet where most of the routes pass.

It can also refer to the donkey’s bonnet given to children who didn’t do well at school. But don’t worry, no matter your school成绩, you’ll be welcome at the event 🧑‍🎓 since the organizers award the last runner to cross the line. So no pressure and come enjoy the different routes on offer. Also, this “ânée” event will celebrate its tenth edition 🔥. For the occasion we hope the nice weather will be present; it’s expected to be sunny and warm. If that’s the case, don’t worry—the courses run through shaded paths that offer a very pleasant running climate.

Onto the program: you can choose between trails of 13 km, 20 km, 39 km, 61 km and 88 km. Five distances where you’ll surely find the one that fits you best. Gallop at a walk (like the donkey prancing

From there, switch from donkey to donkey 🐔 as you explore the surroundings and courses of the various distances. On the wild trails of the routes, you’ll enjoy stunning views of the distant Alps. But you’ll mainly have the privilege to “run” through the land of the ‘Golden Stones’. If you want to know what that means, just hop on one of the distances and closely observe the architecture of the villages you’ll pass through. You’ll have understood that you’re in a very atypical region that holds many surprises, especially in terms of landscapes. You’ll be amazed by views of the Haute Vallée d'Azergues, the Saône Valley while winding through greenery, vineyards, forests and streams of the Beaujolais Vert. And that’s not all, since the 39 km route or even the 88 km route will take you through the remarkable Forêt des Expériences where you can admire several wood-based sculptures. Michel-Ange better beware 😁. Your adventure will also feature mostly steep and rocky trails, an impressive landscape and views, but also many passes through nearby towns like Vaux-en-Beaujolais. It’s this beautiful village that inspired Gabriel Chevallier to write his satirical novel “ Clochemerle” in 1934. And yes, the Beaujolais is a region that sparks ideas and inspires the greatest. Speaking of references, this event is “visited” by some of the world’s top trail runners. Rachid el-Morabity, François D’Haene, Fabien Antolinos have all won at least once one of the distances offered by the Trail de la Fontaine des Ânes. Some seriously big names that show this event is a must-not-miss!

Between a family vibe and seasoned trail runners, you’ll enjoy a pretty unique atmosphere. The organizers even arranged a prize for the most represented club and for the last finisher. No cheating, friend donkey 😂 ! If you go too slowly you risk being cut off by time limits. And to close your day nicely, the organizers also set up a post-race meal on registration. On the menu, you can indulge in a superb spit-roasted ham!

Alright, after this busy program, a visit to the surroundings is in order. You can head to Lyon, about thirty kilometers away. Museums, monuments, riverside strolls… in short, plenty to do in the capital of the Gauls. Or simply explore Beaujolais, with its charming villages like Oingt, one of the most beautiful villages in France. For gastronomy, besides the famous regional wine Beaujolais, how about a nice Beaujolais chicken or Canut Curd? 😋

Put on your donkey bonnet, mount your trusty steed, and set course for Beaujolais. 🛫