Major Paragliding Competitions in France: A Tour of Not-to-Miss Events

France has long been a pillar of world free flying, both for the diversity of its sites and the quality of its pilots. From federal competitions to extreme adventure races, paragliding takes on many formats across the country. Fairly obscure to outsiders, these paragliding competitions nonetheless bring together the best pilots in France, and even the world, offering some of the most extreme challenges. Here's a tour of the most notable paragliding competitions in France, from classics accessible to everyone, to some of the most demanding events in the world.

The Coupe Fédérale de Distance (CFD)

Organized by the FFVL, the Coupe Fédérale de Distance is a competition open to all license holders. It's based on a simple but demanding principle: fly the longest possible cross country flights, record them via GPS, then submit them on the CFD's online platform.Each flight is scored based on its optimized distance, the type of route (open distance, out and return, triangle, FAI triangle), and the points awarded vary depending on the complexity of the route. Compliance with air regulations is also carefully checked: no flying into restricted airspace, no violating protected nature reserve zones...The Coupe Fédérale de Distance is a great entry point into personal performance. No need to travel to a given event: every flight counts, whatever the site. In the end, only the 3 best flights are kept to produce the final ranking.This competition runs every year from September 1 to August 31, at which point the counters reset for a new year.👉 Visit the CFD website

The French Cross Country Paragliding Championships

Organized every year by the FFVL, the French Cross Country Paragliding Championships bring together the best French pilots. They're open to all license holders with solid cross country flying experience.The format is generally a race to goal, with several rounds over a week. The goal: complete a set course within a given time, maximizing speed and strategy.These championships have seen exceptional pilots rise to the top, such as Honorin Hamard (world champion, multiple titles), Seiko Fukuoka Naville (women's world champion), as well as Jonathan Marin or Maxime Pinot, true references in cross country flying.The most recent editions took place at prestigious sites such as Bourg-Saint-Maurice, Plaine-Joux...

The Paragliding World Cup (PWC)

The Paragliding World Cup (PWC) is the international elite of paragliding. It runs across 5 stages worldwide plus a super final. Each stage includes several days (rounds) of competition. France regularly hosts Paragliding World Cup stages thanks to the richness of its mountain ranges and the flawless organization of its clubs.Sites like Targassonne in 2023 or Gourdon in 2024 hosted highly contested stages. The PWC attracts the best pilots on the planet: Maxime Pinot, Honorin Hamard, Constance Mettetal, or Tanguy Renaud-Goud on the French side.🪂😎 Worth noting, Constance Mettetal, an instructor at Les Grands Espaces, just set the European distance record on May 23, 2025, with 354 km from Pas-de-Calais.Rounds are run as "race to goal", on complex routes often ranging from 60 to 120 km in active thermal conditions.

The Red Bull X-Alps: the extreme event

This is likely the most demanding paragliding competition in the world. Held every two years, the Red Bull X-Alps challenges pilots to cross the Alps from Austria to France and back, on foot or in flight only, with no motorized assistance whatsoever, across 16 legs.Cumulative distances exceed 1,000 km. Each day, depending on flying conditions, athletes hike up to 80 km with their wing on their back, tackling technical takeoffs, valley crossings, and crucial weather decisions. Chrigel Maurer is the undisputed master of the event, but Maxime Pinot finished second in 2021 and stands out as one of the most complete challengers of his generation. But don't overlook outsider Damien Lacaze, who returns more motivated than ever after a 2nd place finish in 2023, combining high mountain experience with excellence in thermal flying.

The X-Pyr: crossing the Pyrenees on foot and in flight

Inspired by the X-Alps, the X-Pyr challenges competitors to cross the Pyrenees mountain range from west to east, between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, combining flying and hiking. The event, organized in Spain but running along the French border, draws French pilots every year.The terrain is highly technical, the weather conditions often tricky, and physical management crucial. The X-Pyr wins people over with its more intimate format than the X-Alps, and the wild beauty of the Pyrenees.

The Born to Fly: the French reference for hike and fly

Held in France, generally in the Belledonne or Bauges ranges, the Born to Fly is the top French hike and fly event. Over two to three days, pilots must reach several waypoints, flying or hiking, sometimes with over 4,000 m of elevation gain per day.It's a tactical and physical challenge, very popular with intermediate pilots wanting to get a taste of adventure racing, but in a more local setting. It's also a race valued by top competitors to build experience and prepare for bigger events like the X-Alps.

The GoFrêtes: the quirky Les Grands Espaces competition

And because a competition doesn't always mean stopwatches and pure performance or media coverage, the GoFrêtes, organized every year by Les Grands Espaces in Planfait, celebrates festive, creative paragliding.It's a friendly gathering, open to all levels, which involves climbing as fast as possible from the Les Grands Espaces paragliding school up to the Col des Frêtes to enjoy a delicious waffle cooked on site! 1,100 m of elevation gain! Only the climb is timed. The descent is flown at your own pace.