Montilly Sports Nature Festival
Outdoor sports and charity festival in Montilly-sur-Noireau
2026
About Montilly Sports Nature Festival
Every year in early November, the Montilly Sports Nature Festival brings together hiking, mountain biking, trail running, and cross-country enthusiasts in Montilly-sur-Noireau, in the heart of the Orne bocage. The event builds on the foundation of the Cross International de Montilly, which dates back to 1976, and has expanded over the last decade to include various outdoor disciplines spread over several days. Organized by the Montilly Loisirs Évasion association with the help of nearly 170 volunteers, the registration fees support three Lower Normandy charities: Solidarité Bocage, Rêves de Bouchons 61, and Les Dotis de Flers.
Montilly Sports Nature Festival — edition 2026
The 2026 edition marks the 50th anniversary of the Montilly International Cross-Country, featuring five days of events from November 7 to 11: the Normandy Uniform Cross, the Flers Agglo school cross-country, the NRJ Night Trail, the vetathlon, and the International Cross-Country itself. Approximately 5,000 participants from 25 departments are expected. Olympic champions Charles Noakes and Miguel Martinez are among the patrons of this anniversary edition.
A five-day anniversary edition
Organized by the Montilly Loisirs Évasion association with the support of nearly 170 volunteers, the 2026 edition extends the usual weekend format to five days, from Saturday, November 7 to Wednesday, November 11, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Montilly International Cross-Country. Entry fees for paid events are donated to Solidarité Bocage, Rêves de Bouchons 61, and Les Dotis de Flers. A partner and exhibitor village accompanies the events on the Champ de Foire.
Highlights Montilly Sports Nature Festival 2026
- 50th anniversary of the Montilly International Cross-Country, Wednesday, November 11
- NRJ Night Trail, 14 km, Tuesday, November 10 at 8:00 PM
- Normandy Uniform Cross, 200 runners, Monday, November 9
- "Les Concerts du Cœur" with Tanagila, Roy Thinnes, and Carbone 14, Saturday, November 7
- Patronage of Olympic champions Charles Noakes and Miguel Martinez
Programme Montilly Sports Nature Festival 2026
Saturday, November 7, 2026
- 9:00 AM — Registration for themed health hikes
- 9:30 AM — Heritage hike and Calvados Huard, cellar tour with Jean-François Guillouet · 8 km (limited to 30 people)
- 10:00 AM — "Sound and Poetic" walk with Ségolène Duhamel, featuring poetry, songs, and music · 5 km
- 5:00 PM — Festival site opens
- 6:00 PM–11:30 PM — "Les Concerts du Cœur" with Tanagila, Roy Thinnes, and Carbone 14
- Refreshments, food, and food trucks
Sunday, November 8, 2026
- 9:00 AM — Registration for themed health hikes
- 9:15 AM — Heritage hike and Calvados Huard, cellar tour with Jean-François Guillouet · 8 km
- 9:20 AM — Storytelling hike in humorous old patois with Bernard Desgrippes · 8 km (90 people maximum)
- 1:00 PM — Registration and bib pickup for the vetathlon
- 2:00 PM — Vetathlon: 2 km run / 9 km mountain bike / 2 km run, solo or duo relay (1 mountain biker and 1 runner), ages 14 and up
- 4:00 PM — Solo vetathlon for ages 8-13: 600 m run / 2 km mountain bike / 600 m run
- 4:30 PM — Awards ceremony and podiums
- Refreshments and light snacks
Monday, November 9, 2026
- 9:00 AM — Participant welcome
- 10:00 AM — Normandy Uniform Cross: 200 runners from the police, gendarmerie, military, customs, fire department, prison administration, and SAMU · refreshments
- Flers Agglo school cross-country (700 children):
- 1:30 PM — Welcome for children and staff
- 2:00 PM — CP race, 1 small loop · 550 m
- 2:15 PM — CE1 race, 1 small loop · 550 m
- 2:30 PM — CE2 race, 2 small loops · 1,100 m
- 2:45 PM — CM1 race, 2 small loops · 1,100 m
- 3:00 PM — CM2 race, 1 large loop · 1,800 m
- 3:20 PM — Awards and podiums
- Snack provided to children and staff by Montilly Loisirs Évasion
Tuesday, November 10, 2026
- 6:00 PM — MSNF site opens
- 6:30 PM — Registration and bib pickup for the NRJ Night Trail
- 8:00 PM — NRJ Night Trail · 230 m elevation gain, 14 km
- 9:30 PM — Festive refreshments for all participants, entertainment by the Bagnoles dance troupe
- 10:00 PM — Bib raffle, podium, and entertainment
Wednesday, November 11, 2026
- 7:30 AM — Participant welcome
- 8:00 AM — Activities begin
- 8:35 AM — "L'Orne combattante" mountain bike hike · 620 m elevation gain, 48 km
- 8:40 AM — "Intersport" mountain bike hike · 469 m elevation gain, 36 km
- 8:45 AM — "La Cristaline" mountain bike hike · 295 m elevation gain, 20 km
- 8:46 AM — Nordic walking warm-up
- 8:55 AM — "Relais du Pont de Vère" Nordic walk · 9 km
- 9:00 AM — "La Région Normandie" hiking trail · 18 km
- 9:05 AM — "L'Orne 61" hiking trail · 12 km
- 9:10 AM — Cani-hike / Cani-walk · 9 km
- 9:10 AM — "Rêves de Bouchons 61" hiking trail · 9 km
- 9:30 AM — 50th Anniversary celebrations begin
- 9:30 AM — "Claude Roussin" Nature Trail (solo and relay) · 13 km / 6.5 km
- 10:45 AM — Welcome for International Cross-Country participants
- 11:15 AM — Awards ceremony for the "Claude Roussin" Nature Trail
- Musical entertainment by "Les Voix ci – Les Voix là"
- International Cross-Country, Orne FFA and FSGT championship:
- 11:45 AM — Minimes boys / Cadettes · 2,400 m
- 12:05 PM — Benjamines · 1,800 m
- 12:15 PM — Benjamins / Minimes girls · 1,800 m
- 12:30 PM — Masters men "Souvenir Claude Auvray" · 7,400 m
- 1:40 PM — Seniors / Masters women and Junior girls · 4,250 m
- 2:10 PM — Popular short cross-country for men, firefighters, and non-licensed runners · 5,500 m
- 2:50 PM — Seniors men and Cadets (3,700 m) · 9,200 m; Junior men · 5,500 m; Cadets · 3,700 m
- 3:35 PM — Adult open canicross · 3,700 m
- 4:00 PM — Poussines · 1,100 m
- 4:15 PM — Poussins · 1,100 m
- 4:25 PM — Children's canicross · 1,100 m
- 4:55 PM — "Graines de champions" boys · 550 m
- 4:50 PM — "Graines de champions" girls · 550 m
Throughout the five days: nature discovery and activities, food and food trucks, refreshments, partner and exhibitor village, musical atmosphere, and festive snacks for all participants. Official program published by the organizer ("Official Program" poster, montillysportsnaturefestival.fr, accessed August 24, 2026).
Prices Montilly Sports Nature Festival 2026
Practical information — Montilly Sports Nature Festival
The Champ de Foire site offers parking right next to the event areas. The organizers encourage participants to carpool to the festival and prioritize low-impact environmental solutions. A refreshment bar, catering, and food trucks are available on-site throughout the festival. A partner and exhibitor village will also be set up for the occasion.
Where does it take place — Montilly Sports Nature Festival
Montilly Sports Nature Festival in brief
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