of them are considered classics. This list is intended to give you a taste – sometimes literally – of the variety of races available in France. The French predilection for something just a little bit different means that many of these races are run over

La TransbaieMonth JuneLocation Baie de la Somme, near Abbeville (northern French coast, Picardie, north of Dieppe)Distance About 13 or 14KWhy do it The north of France may seem a long way to go for an hour or so of running, but you’ve almost

La Champenoise, May [Getty Images] Fancy-dress running is de rigueur at many French races, but it’s just part of the picture in a country where running tends towards extremes. Where else could you refuel at 23 wine stations during a marathon

Marvejols-MendeMonth JulyLocation The Cévennes (Lozère – the southern part of the Massif Central)Distance 22.4KWhy do it This is one of the French classics, attracting a wide range of runners, including a fair elite section. In case you think it’s a

L’ultramarathon du Salève Month MayLocation Salève, in the French Alps, just south of GenevaDistance 93K over three daysWhy do it This is a tough, multi-stage mountain ultramarathon, but the scenery alone makes covering that kind of distance well

the Canigou mountain to bring back blocks of ice from the glacier for the pleasure of those visiting this thermal spa town (English for the most part, including Queen Victoria herself). In honour of the ‘porteurs de glace’, the French Alpine Club inaugurated

feast, you have to first run 50K. It may seem a little odd to prolong the agony of the marathon just a few more kilometres, but the French like their numbers round. But if ever a race’s scenery can make the miles fly by, this is it. Breathtaking vistas

La Ronde CérétaneMonth SeptemberLocation Céret (Rousillon – the extreme south of France, near the eastern end of the Spanish border)Distance 20KWhy do it If you’re going all the way to Catalonia to race, you might as well make the most of it

Le Marathon de la LibertéMonth JuneLocation Courseulles sur Mer to Caen (Normandy)Distance Marathon (42.2K)Why do it A readily accessible race with an added historic poignancy. This point-to-point marathon runs through the 17 villages and towns

Le Marathon du Cahors et de la GastronomieMonth AugustLocation Cahors, also known as Quercy (100km north of Toulouse). Starting from Soturac, and finishing in PrayssacDistance 26.2 milesWhy do it The race title says it all – this is a race