Paris-Brest-Paris Randonée
1,200 km from Paris to Brest and back — the world's oldest long-distance cycling event, held every four years, open to all who qualify.
The vibe
1,200 km of legend
Paris-Brest-Paris has been running since 1891, making it the oldest long-distance cycling event in the world — predating the Tour de France by twelve years. Every four years, amateur cyclists gather in Rambouillet to ride 1,200 km to Brest on the Atlantic coast and back within a time limit of 90 hours. No prize money. No prize at all, really, except the knowledge of what you did.
The route crosses Normandy and Brittany through the night and into the next day and the night again. Sleep deprivation becomes a factor around hour 30. Hallucinations are reported by those who push without stopping. The communities along the route stay awake to feed and cheer riders at 3am — a French tradition of extraordinary warmth. Finishing within the time limit earns a finisher’s medal that is one of cycling’s most coveted objects.
To enter, riders must complete qualifying brevets — long-distance rides of 200, 300, 400, and 600km — organized by affiliated clubs worldwide in the year before PBP. The 2027 event begins the qualifying season in 2026 through Audax UK, RUSA (in North America), and other national bodies. If you’re considering it, start your brevet series now.