Les Boucles de la Jemaye

About the race

Driving through the dense foliage of the Double forest, the landscape shifts from open farmland to the secretive, humid lowlands of the Rizonne valley. As you approach the Grand Etang de la Jemaye, the air feels heavier, carrying the scent of damp earth and pine—a sensory reminder of the historical struggle against the wetlands. It was precisely these waters that once burdened the local imagination, inspiring author Eugène Le Roy to pen 'L'ennemi de la mort', a novel chronicling the arduous, life-saving efforts to drain these very ponds to curb the fevers that plagued the region's inhabitants. Today, the water serves a vastly different purpose, hosting the annual Les Boucles de la Jemaye on September 12-13, 2026.

In the water. When you slip into the lake, you are swimming through a protected ecological sanctuary. Keep an eye out for the elusive European otter or the rarer European mink, both of which frequent the marshy banks that frame your route. The water quality is guarded by the presence of the white-clawed crayfish, a sensitive species that thrives in these quiet, protected streams. While you navigate the 1,000m or the flagship 5,000m course—which is part of the Coupe de France—your path passes near the 12th-century Saint-Vivien church. Its choir and windows were meticulously restored between 2015 and 2017, offering a stark, architectural contrast to the raw, natural horizon of the forest.

Race day logistics. The event offers a wide range of distances from a 500m introductory loop to the demanding 5,000m challenge. With entry fees ranging from 5 EUR for the relay up to 50 EUR for the long-distance non-licensed categories, the costs reflect the intensive logistics required to secure the lake and manage the technical safety of the Coupe de France circuit. The atmosphere is grounded in the history of the forest; in the quiet stretches of your swim, you might reflect on the deeper, darker chapters of the site, such as the 1944 resistance tragedy in the Baume locality, where the forest served as a final refuge during the conflict. Whether you are competing in the Australian-format relay or the 3,000m regional championship, the event remains an intimate, performance-driven experience in the heart of the Dordogne.

Course

• 500 m — Introductory course in a secure and friendly environment at the Grand Etang de la Jemaye.
• 600 m — Australian format relay in pairs, max 3 loops of 200m each.
• 1 km — Intermediate distance course in a natural lake setting.
• 1.5 km — Standard open water distance in the natural setting of the Etang de la Jemaye.
• 2 km — 4x500m relay event, final team competition of the weekend.
• 3 km — Regional championship course for experienced swimmers capable of prolonged effort.
• 5 km — Flagship long-distance event for experienced swimmers, part of the Coupe de France.

Entry fees

• 500 m — 11 € · Price for FFN/FINA/FFHANDI members; non-members 26 EUR
• 600 m — 5 € · Price for FFN/FINA/FFHANDI members; non-members 20 EUR
• 1 km — 16 € · Price for FFN/FINA/FFHANDI members; non-members 31 EUR
• 1.5 km — 20 € · Price for FFN/FINA/FFHANDI members; non-members 35 EUR
• 2 km — 10 € · Price per person for relay; non-members 25 EUR
• 3 km — 25 € · Price for FFN/FINA/FFHANDI members; non-members 40 EUR
• 5 km — 35 € · Price for FFN/FINA/FFHANDI members; non-members 50 EUR

Non-members pay a higher fee including a 15 EUR temporary license. Prices listed are for FFN/FINA/FFHANDI members.

Awards

Awards for various categories including Avenirs, Benjamins, Juniors, Seniors, and Masters.

Participant kit

• Swim cap

Limited number of caps available.

Previous editions

• 2024 · results

Organizer

DORDOGNE (Comité Départemental de Natation)

Official site

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