On June 1, 2025, the traditional cycling trip will take place bringing together some 7,000 runners between Lille and Hardelot. “Assessment and outlook” interview with Xavier Lesage, president of the Friends of Lille – Hardelot on the success of this now unmissable walk towards the Opal Coast.
A family or friendly cycling hike taken up around ten years ago in the form of a beautiful walk announcing summer and the return of vacations and stays at the sea, “Lille-Hardelot” is a hike, without a stopwatch, which this year welcomed 6,000 people, plus 1,000 guests, for one day. 170 km, 1,500 m of altitude difference and the presence of an emblematic godfather, the former footballer Jean-Pierre Papin.
The slopes between Lille and Hardelot are tough.
•
© France Télévisions
What assessment do you draw from the 2024 edition which welcomed 7,000 people?
We limit public registrations to 6,000 and we have a thousand guests who join the cyclo-hikers. The aim is to discover the region via the small roads and their charm. The success of Lille – Hardelot, no one really knows but, I think it’s an alchemy between cycling for everyone, the start of summer, the fact of leaving the city to go to the sea. The concept is timeless , everyone meets at the water’s edge on the beach.
Pride of the candidates upon arrival at Hardelot.
•
© France Télévisions
The activities are also arguments to bring people back…
Some town halls, when you stop there, make municipal decrees to limit traffic and organize leisure activities around their heritage, their culture, their cuisine. I think of Samer strawberries, Licques poultry… It’s part of the folklore. And we expect a lot from the towns we pass through, it’s true.
In terms of organization, is it running smoothly now?
The roads remain open to traffic and we are urging motorists with advertising campaigns in the department. And we insist to our hikers because the road is for everyone, including motorists. And it’s part of the role of Lille – Hardelot to come a little… It’s public health, sport, physical health. There are more and more people riding bikes, it is important to support this movement with values of respect. On arrival, we have a good drainage with bus systems, trains, everyone returns safely to Lille (smile).
So when will we see you for the next edition?
The date will be the weekend of May 31 – June 1. The departure village will be on the esplanade in Lille. With entertainment, especially for children. The arrival will be in Hardelot. What I can tell you is that we are going to work on an innovative path. And everyone is happy. Always in the same ranges of difficulty: 160 km, with an altitude difference of 1,300 – 1,500 m maximum. We have to pass a few bumps to get to the coast. It’s pretty much the same specifications.
Want to return to Cassel in 2025?
Pairing Flanders and the Opal Coast was a great experience. To do it again I don’t know yet, knowing that the principle is also to renew oneself. But everyone will be happy. The things that like about Lille Hardelot are discovering new roads. In 2025, we will maintain a limit because our roads are not infinitely expandable.
When to register?
After the end of year celebrations, we will communicate about the route and registrations. For now, we must remember the date of May 31 – June 1, 2025, one week after Mother’s Day, one month before the big start of the Tour de France in Lille, on Saturday July 5, 2025.
