The Grand Departure 2026

Set your course for the Future, with a few pedal strokes!

When the Futuroscope gives the start, no one has time to look back 🚀. In Chasseneuil-du-Poitou, at the gates of Poitiers, in the Vienne in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, The Grand Departure plays out a few days before Christmas. Santa harnesses his reindeer 🦌, you pull on your helmet or your sneakers 👟. Weather-wise, December in Poitou alternates grey skies, crisp chill, and timid rays: slip gloves, a beanie, and a windbreaker into your bag ❄️. The cold sometimes stings, the smile warms 😄.

The start sets off from the Arena Futuroscope, in the commune of Chasseneuil-du-Poitou, and immediately heads toward the Poitou countryside 🌾. The three road-cycling loops (30, 40 and 60 km) of the “Social Ride” share the same starting point and the same opening section: a first northern lobe that crosses Jaunay-Marigny, climbs up to Dissay and then descends toward Saint-Georges-lès-Baillargeaux 🗺️. This common trunk allows each group to ride together before choosing its own adventure 🔄. The roads alternate between built-up areas near the Arena and small country roads once the villages thin out 🏡. The paths then split toward the southeast. The 30 km loop stretches down to Montamisé, its farthest point, then returns to Chasseneuil-du-Poitou 🌱. The 40 km loop extends this diagonal descent to Bignoux, before passing through Montamisé again: a wider arc, far from the city’s hustle and bustle 🔭. The 60 km go for the big tour with Liniers then Bonnes before diving down toward Jardres far to the south. The return goes via Lavoux and Bignoux 🌊. On this loop, the Poitou countryside takes up almost the entire stage 🌬️. The 5 km of the “Social Run”, meanwhile, stay in the vicinity of the Arena 🏃.

The Grand Departure kicks off the season for the FDJ UNITED-SUEZ cycling team, an elite women’s cycling squad (UCI Women’s WorldTeam), and opens its doors to amateurs 🔓. The concept can be summed up in a few words: share the road or the pavement with the athletes, with no timing and no ranking. This chill atmosphere brings together the curious cyclosportive rider and the 5K runner who prefers a non-timed road race 😌. Electric-assist bikes, tandems, and recumbents find their place at the start 🛞. Autograph sessions, the official shop, partner activities, and the team presentation show round out the program, with parking, changing rooms, and food all gathered under the Arena’s roof 🍽️.

After the effort, Poitou comfort: Chabichou du Poitou, a local goat cheese, takes center stage on platters 🧀. The broyé du Poitou is broken by hand, like a peloton that explodes 🍪. Right next door to the Arena, the Futuroscope and its attractions extend the day on the leisure side 🎢. About 10 minutes by car, Poitiers showcases the sculpted façade of the Notre-Dame-la-Grande church ⛪. For a breath of fresh air in nature, the Marais Poitevin, about an hour’s drive away, can be explored by boat 🌿.

Ready for a trip back to the Future? 🏁 Freewheeling or light strides, the peloton is waiting for you.