La Drakkar — Tourville-la-Rivière

About the race

The morning air at the Base de Loisirs de Bedanne carries the sharp scent of damp earth and river water, a familiar atmosphere for the members of the Club des Vikings de Rouen. On September 12, 2026, the local community will gather here, just as they have for decades, to prepare the starting line for the latest edition of La Drakkar. Founded in 1935, the club maintains a deep connection to these waters, and participants often return to navigate the same currents that have shaped the history of the lower Seine valley.

Historical currents and landmarks. As you swim, the geography of the river reveals layers of a turbulent past. The route passes near the site of a 1914 German sabotage attempt, where a commando unit failed in its mission to destroy the strategic railway viaduct during the early months of the conflict. Further along the course, the landscape is punctuated by the seventeenth-century stone cross of Tourville-la-Rivière, a silent witness to the region's long-standing agricultural and religious heritage. The estate of the Chateau of Tourville at Bédane remains visible from the water, with its 1691 dovecote and 15th-century chapel providing a distinct backdrop to the swimming line. Nearby, the architecture of the St. Martin Church looms over the banks, marking the village center.

Beneath the surface. Beyond the visible architecture, the valley floor holds ancient secrets. The slope leading down to the Seine conceals the Gouy Cave, which contains the northernmost Paleolithic engravings in France. While these carvings of horses and oxen are hidden from the surface, they represent the deep human history of this valley, which later became the heart of the Duchy of Normandy established by Rollo in 911. It was from these very banks that William the Conqueror organized his fleet for the 1066 invasion of England. Today, the race offers 1000m and 6000m distances, catering to both speed and endurance, and providing a modern perspective on a river that has facilitated movement and conquest for over a millennium.

Entry fees

• 1 km — 25 € · Standard fee for FFN/FINA/FFHANDI. Preferential rate 15€ for club members, 40€ for non-licensed/FFTRI/FFESSM.
• 6 km — 25 € · Standard fee for FFN/FINA/FFHANDI. Preferential rate 15€ for club members, 40€ for non-licensed/FFTRI/FFESSM.

Prices vary based on license type. 40€ fee for non-licensed includes 15€ for a promotional open water license.

Organizer

Club des Vikings de Rouen

Official site

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