TOUR AUTO 2026

Tour Auto 2026

From Paris to Biarritz, one of Europe’s most enchanting events returns again to show us why the French are truly unmatched when it comes to using their cars properly.

Reborn from its ashes in 1992 by Patrick Peter, the Tour Auto returned last week for its 35th edition, rallying from Paris to Biarritz in one of the most glamorous road events we’ve ever had the pleasure of following.

This year marked a return to the Grand Palais opening in Paris, where all the competitors first formed up under the iconic 19th century glass roof, followed by a convoy to the official start at the Chateau de Courances.

The event runs a total distance of 2200 kilometres through the country, taking circuitous route from the capital to the seaside haven of Biarritz. If the road stages weren’t gruelling enough, the tour also stops at seemingly every racetrack along the way, beginning with Magny-Cours just over 250km outside the city.

The southern leg of the drive heads straight into the mountains of the Massif Central, where some of the most technically challenging stages are held. They come within touching distance of Montpelier on the South Coast and then onward to Toulouse in the West, but not before another track session at the Albi circuit.

There really aren’t a lot of events like it, nothing tests your confidence in a priceless machine like hammering it around public roads for five days, but the challenge is alluring enough to attract hundreds of owners to spend the week taking this odyssey across the French countryside.

The event runs a total distance of 2200 kilometres through the country, taking circuitous route from the capital to the seaside haven of Biarritz.

Nothing tests your confidence in a priceless machine like hammering it around public roads for five days, but the challenge is alluring enough to attract hundreds of owners to spend the week taking this odyssey across the French countryside.

The last few stages begin outside Toulouse, stopping off for yet another track session to begin the day with. This time the drivers took on the historic Pau-Arnos circuit, right outside the same small town where French motor racing was first pioneered all the way back in 1901.

The Nogaro circuit comes next, before a final (and mercifully more relaxed) drive to the finish line in Biarritz. There on the Bay of Biscay, the French classic car community proved once again this year that they have very few rivals for sheer commitment to keeping the spirit of these machines alive.