Triathlon XXL de Saint-Cirq-Lapopie
Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, France · September · Independent
Why people love it
- Only XXL in Occitanie; 2025 winning time about 9:37
- Run along the Lot towpath through one of France's prettiest villages
- Small field of about 130
- Bike through the Lot and Célé valleys and onto the causses, about 2,000 m (6,560 ft) of climbing
Watch out for
- Date and loop structure inconsistent on the official page (4 x 41.2 km (25.6 mi) vs 5 x 33 km (20.5 mi))
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 satisfactionLoved3.8
Press and club posts are warm about the village and atmosphere, but there are almost no first-hand full-distance reports. · Low confidence
- OrganizationWell run3.6
Sanctioned by the French federation with central bag tents and strict cutoffs. No complaints found, though little feedback exists. · Low confidence
- First timer friendlyDemanding2.3
About 2,000 m (6,560 ft) of bike climbing, semi self-sufficient aid, and cutoffs at 90 km (56 mi) by 13:45 and km 30 by 22:30. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialSlow1.7
The 2025 winner took 9:37. About 2,000 m (6,560 ft) of climbing and cold conditions mean mid-pack finishes of 12-14 hours. · Medium confidence
- Course easeVery tough2.2
About 2,000 m (6,560 ft) of bike gain, a cold start, a steep village climb on the run and strict cutoffs. Tough, but not alpine. · Medium confidence
Swim
Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
- Wetsuit legalAlmost always4.8
Optional from 16-24.5 °C (61-76 °F) and mandatory from 14-16 °C (57-61 °F). The swim is cancelled under 12 °C (54 °F). · Medium confidence
- Water temperatureAcceptable2.8
No measured temperatures. Late-September Lot water is likely 15-18 °C (59-64 °F), and the organiser warns it can be cool. · Low confidence
- Calm waterMostly calm4.3
A sheltered river with minimal chop, though not a guaranteed glassy lake. · Low confidence
- Swim easeEasy4.2
Calm river with a light current going with the swimmer. Rolling 10 second group starts limit contact. · Low confidence
- Swim experienceGreat3.9
The River Lot below the village, with rolling starts in groups every 10 seconds. No direct swim reviews. · Low confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 19% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceMixed3.0
No surface data. Rural Lot and Célé valley roads are likely mixed. · Low confidence
- Road closuresPartly closed3.0
Roads are described as controlled. The level of closure is not documented. · Low confidence
- Bike sceneryBeautiful4.4
The Lot and Célé valleys and the causses plateau, which the organiser, clubs and tourism posts all praise. · Medium confidence
- WindSome wind3.4
No wind data. The causses plateau is likely exposed in places, with the valleys more sheltered. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedSlow2.3
About 2,000 m (6,560 ft) over 180 km (112 mi). Tourism text says fast in the valleys with real climbs onto the causses. · Medium confidence
- Bike flatnessHilly2.4
About 2,000 m (6,560 ft) of gain. Between 1,200 and 1,800 m (3,900-5,900 ft) counts as moderate and over 2,500 m (8,200 ft) as mountainous. · Medium confidence
- Bike simplicitySome technical parts3.0
Valley descents and village roads, plus 5-6% causse climbs. No technical detail published. · Low confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportSparse2.4
A field of about 130, with support concentrated in the village. One club post praised the atmosphere. · Low confidence
- Aid stationsStandard2.8
Described as semi self-sufficient with feed stations. The organiser advises 60-80 g of carbs per hour. · Low confidence
- Run sceneryBeautiful4.4
A cliff-cut towpath along the Lot, ending in a village listed among the most beautiful in France. · Medium confidence
- Run conditionsModerate3.2
Cool air helps, but expect mixed path surfaces and a marathon after about 2,000 m (6,560 ft) of climbing. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessRolling3.3
Mostly flat towpath, but a steep climb of about 100 m (330 ft) through the village on each pass. · Low confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
- Air temperatureWarm or cool3.4
Typical race-day air is 8-22 °C (46-72 °F). Cold mornings, including an icy start in 2025, sit below the ideal 18-25 °C (64-77 °F). · Medium confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable2.9
Late-September timing, with an icy start in 2025. The swim is cancelled below 12 °C (54 °F) under federation rules, but no cancellations were found. · Low confidence
- Venue beautyStunning4.7
Saint-Cirq-Lapopie is among France's most beautiful villages, perched above the Lot. · Medium confidence
- Spectator friendlySome viewpoints2.8
A compact but steep village. The number of run loops is unknown. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeLow4.4
The Lot valley runs about 130-300 m (430-980 ft), and the village sits at 230 m (755 ft). · High confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 11% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityBook early2.6
A tiny village hosting about 1,200 athletes across formats that weekend. The XXL sold out in 2026. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueNormal3.2
Rooms from about 85 EUR per night on booking sites, with hotels rated 8.5-9.7 out of 10. · Low confidence
- WalkabilitySome driving3.4
Village and riverside hotels are about 2-9 km (1.2-5.6 mi) from the start. · Low confidence
- Travel easeAwkward2.3
About 150 km (93 mi) from Toulouse-Blagnac, roughly a 2 hour drive in a remote area. · Medium confidence
- LogisticsSimple3.5
One venue for the weekend with bag tents. Transition layout is not verified. · Low confidence
- Town and foodGood4.4
A touristy medieval village with restaurants and local producers. · Medium confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, Lot, Occitanie, France
- Typical month
- September
- Latest or next date
- 26 September 2026
- Organiser
- Independent
- Field size
- About 130 athletes
- Distances
- 3.8 km (2.4 mi) swim, 180 km (112 mi) bike, 42.2 km (26.2 mi) run
- Cutoffs
- Swim 2:15 (T1 exit), Bike 90 km by 13:45; T2 exit 11:00 race time, Finish Midnight (17:00 after 7:00 start)
- Swim venue
- River Lot (start at beach/Camping Paradis, Saint-Cirq) (river)
- Wetsuit
- Optional
- Swim start
- rolling
- Bike climbing
- 2,000 m (6,560 ft)
- Key climbs
- 5-6% climbs up onto the causses (L-course description)
- Run shade
- Not documented
- Air temperature
- 8–22 °C (46–72 °F)
- Altitude
- 230 m (755 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Toulouse-Blagnac (TLS); smaller options Brive-Souillac, Rodez, 150 km (93 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, Tour-de-Faure, Bouziès, Cahors
- Booking
- Tiny village in a major tourist area; hotel Le Saint-Cirq (Tour-de-Faure, across the river) ~8.7/10 on aggregators; Auberge du Sombral in village ~8.5; Les Gabarres on the Lot 2 km away. Rooms from ~85 EUR/night per Momondo.
What racers and reviewers say
- L'Avenir (Belgian press)Raced 2025 · article · Mixed
Belgian runner-up described a very demanding race with roughly 2,000 m (6,560 ft) of climbing on the bike and icy early conditions. He suffered early cramps and finished in 9:55, 18 minutes behind the winner; he said a few warmer degrees would have helped. His brother finished 34th of 134 starters in 12:16.
- Triathlon Club NantaisRaced 2024 · blog · Positive
Club member raced the L but report covers the whole weekend. Calls the village one of France's loveliest, praises the atmosphere and scenery, describes valley rolling bike with 5-6% climbs onto the causses and a flat towpath run with a steep village climb. Transition tents and a post-race local-producers meal noted; XXL runner-up finished 11:03.
- Triathlon Occitanie (regional site)Raced 2026 · article · Positive
Results roundup for the 26-27 Sep 2026 weekend: about 1,200 athletes across formats, XXL billed as the headline race and the only XXL in Occitanie. Winners Yann Grangeon and Bénédicte Bourdugé.
- Triathlon Occitanie (2025 results)Raced 2025 · article · Positive
Regional federation wrap-up describing the 2025 weekend events as quality races; adds to the evidence of a well-run, FFTRI-backed event.
- KerrunRaced 2026 · aggregator · Positive
Event listing calling it one of France's most spectacular long-distance triathlons. Advises 60-80 g carbs/hour on the causses bike leg and warns the Lot can be cool in September, so wetsuit advisable. XXL sold out.
Show 4 more
- Finishers.comRaced 2026 · aggregator · Mixed
Lists detailed cut-offs (T1 exit 2h15, 90 km (55.9 mi) by 13:45, km (28 mi) 30 by 22:30, finish by midnight) and the wetsuit/temperature matrix. No participant reviews posted.
- Tourisme OccitanieRaced 2026 · article · Positive
Tourism listing describing the bike as quick in the Lot and Célé valleys but with fine climbs, both hard and splendid.
- Michelin Guide / aggregators: Hôtel Le Saint-Cirqhotel-review · Positive
Hotel-spa across the river from the village with shuttle into town in the evening; aggregator score ~8.7/10 from over 1,000 reviews. Good option for athletes' families.
- Momondo (Saint-Cirq-Lapopie hotels)hotel-review · Positive
Aggregator lists cheapest nights from about 85 EUR and rates Auberge du Sombral (village centre) ~8.5 and Mas de Laval 9.7; village stock is small and charming.
Sources
Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate.
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