PARIS - BREST - PARIS 2027​
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The Event Paris-Brest-Paris is a timed 1,200km randonnée from the French capital to the port city of Brest and back, with a maximum time limit of 90 hours.
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What to do in 2026 (this year)
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In 2026, BRM rides are optional — they just allow you to pre-register earlier. Your longest BRM completed in 2026 determines the date from which you can pre-register: the greater the distance, the sooner you can pre-register and choose your starting wave.
The pre-registration windows in early 2027 are:
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1000km or 1200km in 2026 → priority registration opens mid-January 2027
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600km → late January 2027
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400km → mid-February 2027
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300km → late February 2027
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200km → mid-March 2027
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No 2026 ride → from 27 March 2027, hoping for leftover place​
The practical advice: PBP is limited to 8,000 riders and spots typically sell out before general registration opens, so riding a long brevet in 2026 is effectively essential if you want to secure a place.
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Mandatory qualification in 2027
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Before the departure of PBP, you must complete the full Super Randonneur series: BRM 200, 300, 400, and 600km. These four BRMs are mandatory. These are minimum distances — a BRM 300 can replace a BRM 200, a BRM 1000 can replace a BRM 600. The qualifying window runs from 1 November 2026 to 30 June 2027.
The time limits for each brevet are: 13h30 for a BRM 200, 20h for a BRM 300, 27h for a BRM 400, 40h for a BRM 600, and 75h for a BRM 1000.
All brevets must be ACP-sanctioned rides with unique homologation numbers, organised by clubs duly approved by the Audax Club Parisien.
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In summary — your action plan for 2026: Ride at least one BRM this year, and ideally a 600km to get the best pre-registration slot. Then complete your full 200/300/400/600 series between November 2026 and June 2027, pre-register in January/February 2027, and pay your €50 deposit to lock in your place and starting wave.
I completed -

London - Edinburgh - London in 2017
Paris - Brest - Paris in 2019
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Below are some of the main differences:

COST (at the time)
PBP - entry €150, everything else is pay as you go
LEL - £320, all inclusive
DISTANCE
PBP - 1200k. Course undulates throughout
LEL - 1500k. 500k is flat, one large climb, rest is scenic
CLIMBING
PBP - 11,000m - 33,000ft
LEL - 12,000m - 36,000ft
TIME LIMITS
PBP - 80h, 84h or 90h. You must decide upon application
LEL - 125h
CONTROL GATES
PBP - Each control must be reached by the standard audax time limits
LEL - Complete within the total 125h time limit. At each control you will be informed whether or not you are ahead or behind schedule
ROUTE MARKERS
PBP - Very well sign posted, helped by spectators lining the route. No GPS necessary
LEL - No signage, very few spectators. Assume a GPS is necessary for the entire route
ATMOSPHERE
PBP - Thousand of people line the route. The whole event is buzzing with energy and for this reason alone, it is worth taking part in PBP. 8000 participants
LEL - Traditional audax set up. Few people are around, outside the controls. 1800 participants
LUGGAGE
PBP - No official system although some companies offer a service (US audax group?)
LEL - 2 bag drops are included in the price. You can decided at which control these are dropped
SLEEPING
PBP - Controls are schools and the gym is offered as a place to sleep
LEL - Controls are schools and the gym is offered as a place to sleep
FOOD and DRINK
PBP - The cafeteria at the control offers hot food and snacks. Long queues. Worth investigating eating outside the controls
LEL - Buffet food is available at each control. Good standard. No queues
SHOWERS
PBP - Available at each control. Pay for a towel
LEL - Available at each control
