Le Gantelet (Château de Chantilly Triathlon)
Chantilly, France · June · Castle Race Series (Independent)
Why people love it
- Race beside the Château de Chantilly with a fast single-loop 90 km (56 mi) bike through the forest
- Shaded, varied run through the castle gardens and forest
- Gendarmes and volunteers marshal major junctions on open roads
- Large event weekend with hundreds of athletes and a lively village
Watch out for
- Swim in the Grand Canal is shallow, algae-choked and muddy; mass or wave starts bring knocks
- Gravel, cobbles and potholes at the park exit can puncture tires or throw bottles
- Run paths get crowded with other races
- Transition is cramped with many races on the same day
Race
How racers feel about it, how well it is run, and how it treats a first timer. Counts for 27% of the overall score.
- Racer satisfactionLoved3.7
More than 60 half-distance reviews: most love the château and bike, but the swim and crowding drag some ratings down to 2 to 3. · High confidence
- OrganizationAdequate3.3
Praised for marshals and parking by many, criticised for transition space, shared courses, bib handling and race-day communication. · High confidence
- First timer friendlyDoable3.2
Several first-time halves loved it, but algae-heavy swim, crowding and gravel on the bike cause trouble. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialAverage3.3
Single-loop roads and shaded run, but crowding, cobbles and a trail-like run slow times. · Medium confidence
- Course easeTough2.8
Fast bike but algae-clogged swim and a crowded trail run. · Medium confidence
Swim
Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
- Wetsuit legalAlmost always4.5
About 16 °C (61 °F) water in June with wetsuits worn. · Medium confidence
- Water temperatureAcceptable2.9
A 2026 swimmer reported 16 °C (61 °F), a bit cold, with algae and smell. · Medium confidence
- Calm waterMostly calm4.4
Canal is sheltered; the problem is crowding and plants, not chop. · Medium confidence
- Swim easeHard2.4
Mass or wave starts, shallow depth and thick algae make sighting and swimming hard. · Medium confidence
- Swim experienceMeh1.9
Many reviewers describe extreme algae, smell, mud and poor visibility; a few shrug it off as typical open water. · High confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 19% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceMixed2.8
Gravel, cobbles and potholes at both ends of the bike course cost bottles and caused punctures. · Medium confidence
- Road closuresPartly closed3.2
Open roads, with gendarmes and volunteers at all major junctions; some cars still present near the finish. · Medium confidence
- Bike scenerySpectacular4.5
Castle region and forest called sumptuous and exceptional. · Medium confidence
- WindSome wind3.2
Some windy sections noted. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedFast3.7
Quick single loop on roads secured by gendarmes, though bumpy at the park exit. · Medium confidence
- Bike flatnessRolling3.3
Reviewers describe a pleasant, mostly rolling course; no elevation total published. · Low confidence
- Bike simplicitySome technical parts3.2
Some technical sections and a narrow return into the park. · Low confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportStrong3.8
Large event with a lively village and enthusiastic encouragement in the gardens. · Medium confidence
- Aid stationsGood4.2
Frequent praise for quality stations and smiling volunteers, with a few asking for more on the run. · Medium confidence
- Run scenerySpectacular4.7
Château gardens and woodland called beautiful by almost everyone. · High confidence
- Run conditionsModerate3.0
Shaded, varied and enjoyable but crowded with other races' runners. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessRolling3.0
A leg-sapping climb at about 3 km (1.9 mi) per lap and uneven paths. · Low confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
- Air temperaturePleasant3.9
Early-June France; pleasant with sun and shaded run. · Low confidence
- Weather reliabilityReliable3.6
The event has run every year in reviews; no cancellations noted. · Low confidence
- Venue beautyStunning4.8
The château backdrop is the central draw for reviewers. · High confidence
- Spectator friendlyEasy4.2
Large village and gardens; one reviewer wanted live tracking. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeSea level4.9
Chantilly lies about 40 m (130 ft) above sea level. · Medium confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 11% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityGood3.6
Chantilly and Senlis have hotels; no comments on sellouts. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueNormal3.3
Race weekend hotel pricing was not discussed. · Low confidence
- WalkabilitySome driving3.0
Parking is a long walk for late waves per a 2026 review. · Medium confidence
- Travel easeEasy4.0
About 30 km (19 mi) from Paris CDG airport with a rail link to Paris. · Medium confidence
- LogisticsSome complexity3.0
Many concurrent races share transition, courses and the gardens. · Medium confidence
- Town and foodGood3.9
Chantilly offers restaurants and the château estate. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Chantilly, Hauts-de-France (Oise), France
- Typical month
- June
- Latest or next date
- 12 June 2027
- Organiser
- Castle Race Series (Independent)
- First held
- 2013
- Distances
- 1.9 km (1.2 mi) swim, 90 km (56 mi) bike, 21.1 km (13.1 mi) run
- Swim venue
- Grand Canal, Château de Chantilly (canal)
- Water temperature
- 16 °C (61 °F)
- Wetsuit
- Legal
- Swim start
- wave
- Run shade
- very shaded
- Nearest airport
- Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), 30 km (19 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Chantilly, Senlis
- Booking
- Chantilly town and Senlis have hotels; book early for the race weekend. Parking is far for late waves.
What racers and reviewers say
- RaceCheck: Julien B.Raced 2026 · aggregator · Positive
Calls it his best triathlon ever. Outstanding location, road safety with intersections blocked by volunteers and police, atmosphere and a proper end meal; found the water typical open water with some weed.
- RaceCheck: AnonymousRaced 2026 · aggregator · Positive
Beautiful triathlon in a magnificent setting with top organisation, accessible to any prepared triathlete. Heavy algae and mud in the Grand Canal but compensated by the castle view; exceptional bike course, very secure with gendarmes and enthusiastic marshals.
- RaceCheck: AnonymousRaced 2026 · aggregator · Positive
Second Half here. Organisation excellent (parking, bib, transition), a muddy swim with algae, a pleasant fast bike secured by gendarmes, and well-stocked aid stations.
- RaceCheck: Delphine G.Raced 2026 · aggregator · Positive
First long-format race, loved the magnificent setting. Surprised by algae and mud but worth it; many quality aid stations, and the open-road bike felt safe thanks to marshals.
- RaceCheck: AnonymousRaced 2026 · aggregator · Positive
First half, loved the château setting. The swim was a bit chilly at 16 °C (61 °F), the bike great, and the run painful but supported by great encouragement in the gardens.
Show 7 more
- RaceCheck: Philippe V.Raced 2026 · aggregator · Negative
Beautiful venue but a very disappointing race. Extreme algae, smelly water, poor visibility and a cold mass start that felt unsafe; gravel at both ends of the bike causing lost bottles and punctures; a trail-like run blocked by other races' participants; limited toilets and poor communication.
- RaceCheck: AnonymousRaced 2026 · aggregator · Negative
Mass start in the water was the worst possible start; a rolling start would be more comfortable. Transition area was a mess with no space for wetsuits while other races were setting up.
- RaceCheck: Cecile J.Raced 2026 · aggregator · Mixed
Beautiful region and site, but organisation not at the level of the event. Dangerous moments at the block swim start and with many cars on the bike return; no women's start wave; frugal bib collection and a cluttered bike park.
- RaceCheck: Niels V.Raced 2026 · aggregator · Mixed
Stunning location, nice atmosphere and a very beautiful run. Bike felt dangerous because streets were not fully closed; wants a tracking app, two bags and more transition space.
- RaceCheck: Martin D.Raced 2026 · aggregator · Mixed
Developed spots on his face after the swim and suspects the poor water quality and shallow depth.
- RaceCheck: Sébastien B.Raced 2026 · aggregator · Mixed
Beautiful setting. The swim was thick with algae banks, shallow and muddy; the bike course was sumptuous with enough quality aid; traffic management needs work at some points after a near accident.
- RaceCheck: Eliot B.Raced 2026 · aggregator · Mixed
First half: a great experience with a nice single-loop bike and a shaded, varied run. Swim basin very dirty, missing run aid and a generic medal.
Sources
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