Dates, times and locations

Conference on Loire environmental issues: 13 June 2026 at 18:00. Venue: Maison du Port, 2 rue des Charpentiers, Roanne. The presence of all competitors is mandatory.
The event village is located around the port captaincy of Roanne.
Registration confirmations and tracker pickups will take place from 09:00 to 17:00 on 13 June at the event village.

Stage 1, Roanne – Saint-Satur, 14–15 June, distance: 248 km

The start of the first stage will be given on Sunday 14 June 2026 at 06:00 in Roanne (Loire, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes) opposite the fire station, Centre d’Incendie et de Secours; GPS point 46°02’26.8″N 4°05’12.3″E
Finish at Saint-Satur, GPS point 47°20’15.3″N 2°52’01.9″E

Stage 2: Saint-SaturSaint Denis en Val, PK366: 16 June at 06:00, distance: 117 km

Start: GPS point 47°20’15.3″N 2°52’01.9″E
Finish: GPS point 47°89’06.5″N 1°99’43.7″E

Stage 3: Tours / La Riche, PK492: 17 June at 06:00, distance: 126 km

Start: GPS point 47°89’06.5″N 1°99’43.7″E
Finish: GPS point 47°23’49.5″N 0°41’02.7″E

Stage 4 : La Riche – Bouchemaine, PK607: 18 June at 06:00, distance: 112 km

Start: GPS point 47°23’25.5″N 0°38’48.5″E
Finish: GPS point 47°24’54.9″N 0°36’49.4″W

Stage 5 : Bouchemaine – Mauves-sur-Loire, PK675: 19 June at 08:00, distance: 68 km

Start: GPS point 47°24’54.9″N 0°36’49.4″W
Finish: GPS point 47°17’37.3″N 1°23’01.8″W

Stage 6 and final stage: Mauves sur Loire – Paimboeuf June 14, it is 55 km

Start: GPS point 47°17’37.3″N 1°23’01.8″W
The final arrival will be in Paimboeuf (Loire-Atlantique, Pays de la Loire) opposite the Phare de la Chaussée Neuve. The race will be stopped on Saturday 14 June 2025 at 17:00, GPS point 47°17’25.5″N 2°01’57.3″W. For information, the tide will be ebbing.

Boats / bibs / trackers

Accepted boats: K1 and K2 kayaks, C1 and C2 canoes, outrigger canoes OC1 and OC2, V1 and V2, single and double stand-up paddleboards (SUP). All boats must be unsinkable or fitted with buoyancy compartments. It will be possible to change boats while remaining within the same category.

The number of race bibs will be limited to 150 boats, including a maximum of 40 in relays. This race may be done solo (entire) or as a relay.

Relays may be performed at discretion (only at public, identified water access points: ramps, pontoons, quays, etc.), and the number of relay team members will be limited. One relay member per single boat and up to two for each double boat. A special relay ranking will be established.

Each boat will be equipped with a GPS tracker provided by the “Loire 725” organization to monitor its progress.

The maximum duration of the descent is 7 days, i.e., arrival before Saturday 20 June at 17:00. A deposit of €100 will be required for the tracker and will be returned only on arrival upon return of the tracker. In case of abandonment, the team is obliged to go to the stage finish to carry out the exchange.  

Environmental protection / feeding / logistics / equipment

ATTENTION: a conference on Loire environmental issues will be given by France Nature Environnement on 13 June 2026 around 18:00 at the Maison du Port in Roanne.
The presence of all competitors is mandatory (at least one person per boat) and any absence will result in exclusion from the race without compensation. Any appeals will be examined on a case-by-case basis by the race management.

Each boat must have a land-based support team. One support team may look after several boats. In that case, the boats must stay grouped so that the support team can ensure tracking and safety of the group. Relay members may act as the support team.

Any abandonment must be reported immediately to race management. In that case the boat and the competitor(s) will be taken in charge by the support team.

Wearing an FFCK-standard buoyancy vest suitable for river use is mandatory for all boats, including SUP. For stand-up paddles, wearing a leash is prohibited up to Mauves-sur-Loire. A quick-release waist leash becomes mandatory until Paimboeuf.

Each boat must be equipped with a waterproof mobile phone, a charged external backup battery, and for each paddler: a survival blanket, a whistle and waterproof headlamp. Support crews must provide their telephone contact details. All these items may be checked during each stage. The SNSM will be our safety partner for the maritime part of the race from Mauves-sur-Loire to the arrival in Paimboeuf.

Landing, embarkation and bivouac locations

Each participant manages their own logistics and provisions as they wish; the rule is to depart from the same place where the participant landed for a resupply stop. The tracker will be authoritative.

Landings and embarkations must be made on existing river facilities provided for this purpose: ramps, quays, pontoons, etc.; the aim is to avoid trampling of riverbanks or disturbance of nesting sites and habitats of all species.

Landing and embarkation for the Nevers portage will receive particular attention. A marked corridor will be put in place to guide competitors on the right or left bank depending on the Loire’s level. Wild bivouacking is strictly prohibited along the entire 725 km. The book “La Loire vue du fleuve” lists all water access facilities. Participants are therefore asked to favour accommodation in campervans, guesthouses, campsites, in compliance with applicable legislation. A free camping area will be available at the finish of each stage.

Natura 2000, reserves and biotope protection orders

The race route as a whole lies within a Natura 2000 protected area and in certain sections within regional or national nature reserves. Some sites are classified under “Arrêtés de protection de biotope”, which is the highest level of protection.

In certain particularly sensitive areas (references to be updated and provided the day before each stage during briefings), it will also be forbidden to navigate closer than 50 m to the banks as far as possible, and SUPs must paddle sitting down to reduce their visibility. These particular sites will be clearly identified on the maps distributed to all participants.

Any discharge of any material whatsoever is strictly prohibited, and any waste generated by competitors (for example food packaging from on-water refreshments) must be handed to support vehicles at each meeting.

Furthermore, all competitors must behave and move in ways that minimize disturbance to Loire wildlife, in particular birds that may be nesting. The use of drones is strictly prohibited along the entire route. Note that all breaches of these rules may result in a fine in addition to automatic exclusion from the race. This may be enforced on the basis of your live GPS data provided by the trackers.

The Loire is the last wild river in Europe — let’s preserve it!

Ranking / registration conditions

A simple rule: participants must paddle in the rhythm of the sun using a single or double paddle without any other means of propulsion (motors, oars, sails, etc.). If a competitor cannot reach the stage finish within the allotted time, ranking will be based on the number of kilometers covered.

They may resume the next stage the following day. The tracker is authoritative.

Registrations will be open to FFCK and FFS license-holders whose license is up to date and marked “Competition.” Non-licensed participants and foreigners must provide proof of insurance appropriate to this type of competition, including possible repatriation coverage. It will always be possible to take out an “open” licence with a medical certificate stating fitness for competition in canoe, kayak or stand-up paddle.

Attention: at registration a sporting CV will be required; the organization reserves the right to refuse a candidate if it considers their level or experience insufficient.

Fees per boat for French competition license-holders (FFCK and FFS)

– Singles: €250 (included: 2 meals for 2 people)
– Doubles: €450 (included: 2 meals for 3 people)
– Single in relay: €400 (included: 2 meals for 2 people)
– Double in relay: €600 (included: 2 meals for 4 people)
– Additional meal: €25
This fee includes rental of one GPS tracker per boat.

For foreign license-holders, provide a medical certificate stating fitness to participate in a canoe-kayak competition.

For non-licensed French or foreign participants, an FFCK competition license for 7 days will be mandatory with a medical certificate stating fitness to participate in a canoe-kayak competition: an additional €35.

The ranking will be by boat category, female, male and mixed; the same applies for relays.

If a boat does not reach the finish within the allotted time, its ranking will be based on the number of kilometers covered, the tracker being authoritative. At the end of each stage the overall ranking and the day’s ranking will be communicated.

Important

Any breach of the regulations set out above, particular regarding environmental rules, will result in exclusion by race management without compensation.

An extremely comprehensive topo guide put together by Jean‑François SOUCHARD will be very useful — perhaps even indispensable.

https://imagesdeloire.fr/produit/la-loire-vue-du-fleuve-guide-de-randonnee-nautique/