The Noctambule de Chauc’ lights up again with its headlamps on Saturday, December 5, 2026, in Chauconin-Neufmontiers, a commune in Seine-et-Marne (77) just west of Meaux. This nocturnal trail event, staged by Team Ex Aequo, offers two night runs and a 10 km semi-night walk, with one euro donated to the Telethon for every registration.
A standout taste of sport for a December weekend, about forty kilometers east of Paris. Here, there’s no asphalt or crowded streets: the routes wind through wooded trails and rural lanes between Chauconin-Neufmontiers and Penchard.
Three formats are announced, giving everyone a chance to find their fit—whether chasing a time or simply enjoying an evening stroll at sunset. Here are the events from the latest edition, expected to be confirmed by the organizers:
The names set the mood. The walk starts before dusk to catch the sunset over the plain, then gently slips into darkness. The two trails, by contrast, are run entirely at night, lights blazing on the riders’ foreheads.
Running at night is a bit like rediscovering the landscape with half-closed eyes. The world narrows to the circle of your headlamp, you hear more of your footsteps, your breathing, the rustle of leaves. The everyday paths feel suddenly like an expedition.
To keep everyone safe, the organizers mark the route with directional arrows, LED tubes, and kilometer markers, with guides on foot and on mountain bike. The course is designed to stay 100% natural, weaving through woods and fields.
At the finish, a warm checkpoint awaits participants, featuring homemade, organic soup as a reward. Finishers go home with a medal and a small keepsake.
The race takes place every year on the Telethon weekend, and 2026 is no exception. The AFM-Telethon grand event runs on December 4 and 5, 2026, marking its 40th edition with thousands of activities across France to support research into rare diseases.
In Chauconin-Neufmontiers, every bib sold contributes one euro to the pot. A modest gesture, but it gives real meaning to the kilometers logged in the cold.
Start is from the Clos Lignon lane in Chauconin-Neufmontiers (77124). According to specialist calendars, the walk begins about 4:30 PM and the trails around 6 PM, though exact times should be confirmed with the organizers as race day approaches. Registrations are online via Klikego. By way of reference, last year’s entry fees were around 8 € for the walk, 10 € for the 10 km trail, and 20 € for the 18 km option.
Coming from Paris, Transilien line P connects Gare de l’Est to Meaux, a few kilometers from the start. Driving remains the simplest option for a post-race return. More details are on the event page and the commune’s site: event sheet and Chauconin-Neufmontiers town site.
Runners often don’t realize it, but the plain they race across is rich in history. It’s here, on September 5, 1914, in the early hours of the Ourcq battle, that poet Charles Péguy fell at the head of his men.
He rests today in the Grande Tombe de Villeroy, in Chauconin-Neufmontiers, alongside 126 other French soldiers. This site is open year-round and is listed as part of UNESCO’s World Heritage for World War I funerary and memorial sites.
To extend the visit, the Meaux Meaux Grand War Museum is nearby, as is the city’s episcopal quarter. The Meaux Marne Ourcq tourism office also highlights several Memorial walks around Villeroy. For more ideas in the department, our guide What to do in Seine-et-Marne is brimming with suggestions.
First and foremost, the vibe. Noctambule de Chauc’ preserves the spirit of a village race, with volunteers, hot soup, and a friendly, low-key atmosphere—far from the mega-trails where you can feel crowded. The 10 km format also welcomes curious first-timers who want to test night running without a big commitment.
The walk suits families and groups of friends who prefer a steady pace, with sunset as a bonus. The more seasoned trail runners will find a satisfying late-season challenge in the 18 km option.
A few precautions, though. A headlamp is essential—ideally with fresh batteries. Bring trail shoes suited to December’s muddy paths and warm layers for waiting before and after the race. Also check the registration page to see if a medical certificate, license, or a Health Prevention Certificate is required for the running events.
If Noctambule whets your appetite for more bibs, our running and jogging guide for 2026 in Paris and Île-de-France lists the year’s events. For woodland lovers, also check out the Foulées Charentonnaises 2026 at Bois de Vincennes— more urban, but just as friendly.
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Dates and Opening Time
On December 5, 2026
Location
Chauconin-Neufmontiers
6 Allée du Clos Lignon
77124 Chauconin Neufmontiers
Route planner
Prices
€8 - €20
Official website
www.facebook.com
