Trail des Lavoirs 2026

The Trail des Lavoirs is a trail-running event held in the Chevreuse area of Yvelines, located west of Paris and under 20 km from Versailles. It features 21 km and 33 km races, both classified in the 20k category. Race schedules indicate it occurs around mid-May, though an alternative listing suggests a July date with typically moderate weather. Accessible via RER, it provides Paris-based runners with a genuine trail experience without requiring an extensive journey from the city. The start line is at the Domaine de Dampierre-en-Yvelines, a historic estate boasting a 17th-century castle once frequented by Louis XIV. From this point, the course enters the Haute Vallee de Chevreuse Regional Natural Park, tracing the Yvette river valley through natural paths, steep inclines, and marshy terrain, including the Lavagot marsh. The event derives its name from the old lavoirs, or washhouses, situated near former water points for laundry along the route. One race listing refers to it as "Les Rois de la Chevreuse," referencing the chateaux and royal heritage surrounding the course.