La Nocturne du ValJoly begins at 7:30 PM from the ValJoly tourist village in Eppe-Sauvage, Hauts-de-France, near the Belgian border. This autumn night event features a 10 km trail run and an 8 km Nordic walk, both as single loops through the forests surrounding ValJoly. Taking place in the Avesnois region, beside the largest lake north of Paris, the race offers a forest-and-lake excursion after dark, distinct from a town road race.
The 10 km trail is the primary event, attracting over 200 participants in past years. The Nordic walk is presented as a gourmet walk, with food stops enhancing the social aspect. The trail is open to participants from the Cadets age group upwards, and runners must provide proof of fitness for competitive running. Organized by Vert Marine, the event has seen several editions and maintains the character of a compact local night race rather than a large festival.