950 km bikepacking gravel challenge

From Melun to Nîmes, free registration

Welcome to the Tourmagne!

The Tourmagne is a gravel bikepacking challenge. Registration is free, and it’s open to anyone who’s ready to embark on a 950-kilometer adventure through some of the most stunning landscapes in France. You’ll pedal through the Bellifontain massif, the Seine Valley, the Gâtinais, the Loire Valley and its vineyards, the Nivernais and Bourbonnais regions, the valleys of the Allier and the Sioule, the Puys mountain range, the Cantal and Cézallier, the Margeride, the Cévennes, and the Nîmes garrigue… all in that order!

Where does it come from ?

The Tourmagne is a challenge inspired by the journey of Léon Giran-Max and Marie-Antoine Barret, two pioneers who first traveled this route in 1897. They documented their adventure in an illustrated logbook, which was later rediscovered by Patrice Brunet, former CEO of Zéfal, and published by the renowned Serge Laget in an academic book. You’ll earn this book as a prize if you complete your Tourmagne, reaching Nîmes via the challenge route.

Where is it ?

The Tourmagne is a self-supported sports challenge that guides you across France, right through the heart of it! The landscapes unfold in panoramic views, along rivers and over hills, with ever-changing climates and increasingly melodic accents. Everything regains its flavor, its essence, and its rightful place. The Tourmagne (and by the way, why the name Tourmagne? Keep reading, and you’ll discover its etymology) is a large-scale micro-adventure: it’s pure adventure, in its simplest form!

when is it ?

Anytime!
The Tourmagne is a challenge, which means it’s always open to you. You can take part alone, with a partner, or even as a group of three… however you like! After that, it’s all about common sense: the more people on board, the harder it is to manage the group. And when it comes to timing, keep in mind that we’ll pass through the Cézallier and the Margeride, at an altitude of 1490 meters. That’s already quite high, and the only month it doesn’t freeze up there is July… So, it’s tough, and it’s best to plan for the warmer months!

how is it ?

It’s entirely up to you, as long as you follow the rules and basic safety guidelines for riding on open roads and trails, bikepacking, and camping. You can push yourself to the limit or take it slow—whatever allows you to enjoy the journey and get what you’re looking for. Of course, there’s a beautiful book waiting for you when you finish, but more importantly, this is an adventure for yourself and for the landscapes you’ll experience along the way!

Immense scenery

Isabelle vient à bout de la terrible montée Laurent Jalabert

Chilly wake-up call in Sancerre

and finally, the magne tower !

The Tour Magne is one of Nîmes’ three beautiful monuments, along with the Arènes and Maison Carrée, and it’s also the site of a famous line, often attributed to Victor Hugo: “Gal, amant de la Reine, alla Tour Magne à Nîmes” (read aloud, to get the full flavour of this holorime line). In fact, we owe this line to Charles Monnier, a lesser-known poet from Geneva.
And since we’re going to Nîmes too, we’ll be on our way to the Tour Magne! And as it’s ONE big (magne, in Latin) tower we’re proposing, we’ve decided to call it LE TOURMAGNE. It’s a Latin neologism for a gravel / bikepacking challenge!

A touch of friendly rivalry ?

Since 2024, the Audax Club Parisien has been offering cyclists the chance to blend adventure with a sense of friendly competition, balancing individual effort with the camaraderie of being part of a moving group.

For the time being, the next edition of the Brevet Gravel Tourmagne has not been announced, but we are working on this third mass start and will keep you informed.