Photo: Lucas Destrem / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) (opens in a new tab) / Source (opens in a new tab)Ambazac
Les Gendarmes et les Voleurs de Temps
Saturday, 15 May 2027
Your checklist for Les Gendarmes et les Voleurs de Temps
What you need, category by category, with our #1 pick for this race. Tick what you already have.
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GPS watch
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Garmin Instinct 3 AMOLED 45 mm
Onboard topo maps, unlike the Instinct 3 Solar
Downside: Shorter battery life than the Instinct 3 Solar (no solar charging or MIP display)
Gear
Mixed-terrain shoe: track, trail and some mud
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Nike Ultrafly
ZoomX foam: exceptional energy return inherited from the Vaporfly
Downside: High price (190 EUR)
Nutrition
One gel at halfway plus electrolytes if it is hot
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Maurten Gel 100
Hydrogel technology: excellent gastric tolerance
Downside: High price compared to other gels
Sun Protection
Sweat-resistant SPF50 cream, reapply at aid stations
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)ISDIN Fusion Water Sunscreen SPF 50+
Ultralight texture, feels invisible on skin
Downside: Small format (50 ml), may run short on ultras
Body Care
Anti-chafe balm on armpits, thighs and feet
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Julbo Aerospeed
Photochromic lenses: adapt from forest to summits
Downside: Higher price compared to non-photochromic glasses
Car Rental
Book in advance and check the mileage policy
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)DRIVALIA CarCloud Country Plus
Trip logistics
Registration, travel and insurance: what you should have sorted before race day.
Affiliate links: if you buy, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Race data
Terrain
Trail
Difficulty
Intermediate
Distance
2 modalities
Trail 32K
- Distance
- 32 km
- Elevation Gain
- D+ 1216m
- Max Time
- -
Trail 10K
- Distance
- 10 km
- Elevation Gain
- D+ 221m
- Max Time
- -
| Modality | Distance | Elevation Gain | Max Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trail 32K | 32 km | D+ 1216m | - |
| Trail 10K | 10 km | D+ 221m | - |
Will your watch battery last the ~6 h of Les Gendarmes et les Voleurs de Temps?Worked out for the longest course (32 km). See which watches reach the finish with GPS on and which die on the way.Check my watch Check my watchGear up for Les Gendarmes et les Voleurs de Temps
Buying guides with the best value for money, picked for this kind of terrain.
Swipe to see all 4 comparisons
What Les Gendarmes et les Voleurs de Temps is
Les Gendarmes et les Voleurs de Temps is the Limousin’s most popular trail and one of France’s best-atmosphere events. It began in 2000 in Ambazac, a village in the Monts d’Ambazac, and now draws around twelve thousand people including runners, volunteers and spectators. The flagship race is 32 km with 1,216 m of climbing: an honest, runnable distance with enough elevation to stay interesting.
A weekend, not a race
The event fills the whole Pentecost weekend: night races on Saturday, main events on Sunday, children’s races and entertainment in the village. The name comes from a local legend about gendarmes and time thieves in the forest, and the atmosphere has absorbed it: people come here to run and to stay.
Forest and granite terrain
The Monts d’Ambazac are forest, granite and forestry tracks, with stone villages and a few technical sections. There is no high mountain, but the 32 km is run hard and climbs more than it looks. In June the real risk is heat and afternoon storms.
Ideal for a first race in France
If you have never raced in France, this is the perfect event: simple logistics, welcoming atmosphere and a distance that does not demand extreme preparation. Ambazac is 20 minutes from Limoges, with rail and motorway, so you can arrive Saturday and leave Sunday. Check the regional race calendar to pair it with other races and plan the trip with the planner.
360Complete Pack
Entry to the Gendarmes
RegistrationA popular event with thousands of bibs and a simple process. The 32 km places go before the 10 km.
Tips
- •Medical certificate mandatory in France
- •Use the Saturday night races: best atmosphere of the weekend
- •Enter the family in the 10 km or children's races
- •Bib collection in the village: go with time to spare
Where to sleep near Ambazac
AccommodationAmbazac has small hotels and rural cottages, but the event fills the area. Many runners stay in Limoges, 20 minutes away.
Tips
- •Limoges: plenty of supply and 20 minutes by motorway
- •Ambazac centre: full convenience for the weekend
- •Gîtes and guesthouses in the Monts d'Ambazac
- •Book early: Pentecost weekend fills up
Gear for a spring trail
GearA fast, runnable trail with forest, tracks and a few technical sections. In June the Limousin can deliver heat or afternoon storms.
Tips
- •Mixed-terrain shoe: track, trail and some mud
- •Cap and glasses: the open sections are exposed
- •Light waterproof for the classic June storm
- •Poles optional: the climbing does not demand them
Which shoes for Les Gendarmes et les Voleurs de Temps?
Which footwear fits based on the race's terrain and weather
Which GPS watch for Les Gendarmes et les Voleurs de Temps?
Which watch has the battery to last based on your estimated finish time
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Best GPS Watches with Offline Maps 2026: Value Comparison
The best GPS watches with offline maps in 2026, ranked by value: Amazfit T-Rex 3, Suunto Race 2, Garmin Forerunner 570, Instinct 3 AMOLED, Coros Apex 2 Pro, Suunto Vertical 2 and Garmin Fenix 8. Maps vs breadcrumbs, the cheapest watch with maps and which to choose for your use.
Fuel for 32 km
NutritionA distance run hard, where many people forget to eat. Aid stations are frequent and well stocked with local produce.
Tips
- •One gel at halfway plus electrolytes if it is hot
- •Drink at every aid station even without thirst
- •If you race both 32 km and 10 km, mind recovery between
- •The local produce at the aid stations deserves a stop
Getting to Ambazac
TransportAmbazac is 20 km from Limoges, with motorway access and its own railway station. Limoges-Bellegarde airport is half an hour away.
Tips
- •Train from Limoges or Poitiers: the station is in the village
- •Drive from Bordeaux or Toulouse on the A20, Ambazac exit
- •Limoges airport with flights to the UK and France
- •Free parking on the outskirts with shuttle buses
Car rental for Gendarmes et Voleurs
Car RentalA car makes it easier to reach the start and get around before and after the race.
Tips
- •Book in advance and check the mileage policy
- •Useful if your accommodation is far from the start
Sports insurance for Gendarmes et Voleurs
InsuranceCover your participation with insurance that includes medical assistance and mountain rescue.
Tips
- •Check that it covers the race format and elevation gain
- •Review rescue cover if the race is in the mountains
Sun protection for Gendarmes et Voleurs
Sun ProtectionSun exposure takes its toll on long races, especially on exposed sections and at midday.
Tips
- •Sweat-resistant SPF50 cream, reapply at aid stations
- •Protect lips, ears and neck
Best Sunscreen for Runners 2026: 7 Sweat-Proof SPF 50 Picks
Which sunscreen survives a sweaty long run? We compared 7 SPF 50 sweat-proof picks — creams, sticks and a lip balm — on heat, altitude UV and sweat resistance. See the winner.
Body care for Gendarmes et Voleurs
Body CareKilometres and descents punish feet and skin: anti-chafe balm and blister patches prevent DNFs.
Tips
- •Anti-chafe balm on armpits, thighs and feet
- •Blister patches in your pocket
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is Les Gendarmes et les Voleurs de Temps held?
- Every Pentecost weekend, in late May or early June. The 2027 edition is expected on 15 and 16 May in Ambazac (estimated date, Pentecost weekend), with night races on Saturday and the main events on Sunday.
- What distances are there?
- The flagship race is 32 km with 1,216 m of climbing through the Monts d'Ambazac. There is also a 10 km with 221 m, children's races and night events, making it a family weekend.
- Why is the atmosphere so good?
- Because it began in 2000 as a village race and now draws around twelve thousand people including runners, volunteers and spectators. The name comes from a local legend about gendarmes and time thieves in the Ambazac forest.
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