Event returns for 67th edition

The Critérium des Cévennes is set to return for its 67th edition from October 22 to 25, 2026, as the penultimate round of the French Rally Championship. The event will take place across the Gard and Hérault departments, featuring 16 special stages, 10 of which are new, covering a total of 201.82 km of timed racing over a 669.39 km route.

Organizers aim for improvement

Robert Clos, president of the ASA Hérault, the event's organizer, stated that the team aims to improve on last year's performance, emphasizing that "you should always do a little better than what you did before." The championship is still open, with Raphaël Astier leading the standings with 117 points, followed by Yoann Bonato (winner of three of the last five editions) and Hugo Margaillan, both with 102 points. Only the Rally of the Var remains after the Critérium des Cévennes.

Traditional and new stages included

The event will feature the traditional La Cadière and Nuit des Cévennes special stages. On Saturday, the "5 cols" special will cover 53.58 km between Saint-André-de-Valborne and Sumène. The event will also include classic car categories such as VHC, VHRS, and VMRS, where regularity is prioritized over speed, and for the first time, electric vehicles will participate.

Logistics and site organization

To address concerns about long stretches and traffic congestion, the organizers have grouped the event's sites around the Vigan, Saint-Hippolyte-du-Fort, and Ganges. Saint-Hippolyte-du-Fort will host the spectators and race control center, while Ganges will house the technical inspections and the start podium at Place de l'Ormeau. The Vigan will serve as a gathering area on Friday and Saturday, and Brissac will be the closed overnight parking area.

New features and brand participation

The event will also see the return of two major brand cups: the Clio Trophy with around 30 cars, and Stellantis (Peugeot, Lancia, Opel). A first e-rally will be introduced with around 10 electric vehicles. The Alpine A290 will be displayed on the parvis and driven by Pascal Janel and co-driver Jean-Pascal Berger. Christian Fina, a key figure, sees this as the beginning of a long history for the rally.

Local involvement and cultural significance

Among the participants are local officials, including Jean-Charles Vidal, mayor of Saint-Martial, who will serve as a co-driver, and Xavier Rigaud, an elected official in Ganges, who will open the route in a "zero" vehicle. Gérard Authebon, a veteran of the ASA Hérault, will compete in his 50th Critérium. The event is free for the public, including the super special.

Economic and ecological considerations

Christian Fina highlights the economic benefits of the event during the off-season, stating it supports local businesses and highlights the hospitality of the local population. He emphasizes the importance of safety, noting that green zones are open to the public, while red zones are off-limits. He also calls on spectators to respect local residents and their properties following complaints about damage.

Volunteers and financial support

Around 400 volunteers, including marshals, markers, and officials, will be mobilized, with about 40 people involved in the organization beforehand. Montpellier and the Métropole have renewed their financial support, despite economic challenges. Christophe Bourdin, a local official, stated that the Critérium des Cévennes is a cultural heritage for Montpellier and the Métropole, noting that a third of the event's budget of 400,000 euros comes from local authorities.

Event as a regional bridge

Hervé Martin, vice-president of the Métropole in charge of sports policy, emphasized that the event is the only major sporting event linking the city of Montpellier with the surrounding Cévennes region. He addressed ecological concerns raised by some communes, stating that bringing more city dwellers into the Cévennes nature will help them appreciate and protect it. He compared the event to the Tour de France, highlighting its high-level sports aspect and its accessibility to the public.