Raid des Alpilles

The Raid des Alpilles takes place in mid-October, starting from Maussane-les-Alpilles in the Bouches-du-Rhône department of southern France. Located within the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, it features two primary distances: 34 km and 68 km. The race combines gravel and road cycling, including cyclosportive formats, though some descriptions refer to it more generally as an outdoor event. The courses traverse the Alpilles, a small limestone range within the Parc Naturel Régional des Alpilles. These mountains are modest in height, reaching a maximum of 496 meters. Their white rock, the arid Provençal landscape, and lavender fields define the ride's distinct local character. The Raid des Alpilles is part of the Cycling Challenge series, which organizes cyclosportive, gravel, and mountain-bike events across different French regions. Maussane's proximity to Les Baux-de-Provence, Arles, and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence allows participants to extend their visit into a full Provence weekend.