Paris–Camembert (also Paris–Camembert Trophée Lepetit or Paris–Camembert Lepetit) is a semi classic held annually in April. Since 2005, the race is organized as a 1.1 event on the
UCI Europe Tour
The UCI Continental Circuits are a series of road bicycle racing competitions which were introduced in 2005 by the Union Cycliste Internationale
The Union Cycliste Internationale (; UCI; ) is the world governing body for sports cycling and ove ...
. The route of the race has varied over the years, it previously started in Magnanville, near Paris, and finished in
Vimoutiers
Vimoutiers () is a Communes of France, commune in the Orne Departments of France, department in north-western France.
The finish line of the Paris–Camembert bicycle race is Vimoutiers.
Geography
The commune is made up of the following collec ...
.
The present day race starts in
Pont-Audemer
Pont-Audemer () is a commune in the Eure department in the Normandy region in northern France.Eure
Eure ( ; ; or ) is a department in the administrative region of Normandy, northwestern France, named after the river Eure. Its prefecture is Évreux. In 2021, Eure had a population of 598,934.Livarot in the Calvados department. Once in the region of Livarot the race takes in seven climbs around the town, some of which are ascended several times. The climbs are namely: Côte de Chevreville-Tonnencourt (one ascent), Côte de l'Angleterre (three ascents), Butte des Fondits (three ascents), Côte de Camembert (one ascent), Côte de la Cavée de Crouttes (two ascents), Côte de Tortisambert (two ascents) and the Côte de la Becquetiere (two ascents). The last of these 14 climbs is 10 km from the finish line which is in the town centre of Livarot on the Route de Lisieux.Official Website Details of routeOfficial Website Details of route and climbs around Livarot Historically, the race attracted a mostly French field of riders, but the field has become increasingly more diverse. By the 1970s famous riders were regularly participating and sometimes winning the race: riders such as
Bernard Hinault
Bernard Hinault (; born 14 November 1954) is a French former professional road bicycle racing, road cyclist. With 147 professional victories, including five times the Tour de France, he is often named among the greatest cyclists of all time. In ...
and
Joop Zoetemelk
Gerardus Joseph "Joop" Zoetemelk (; born 3 December 1946) is a Dutch former professional racing cyclist. He started and finished the Tour de France 16 times, which were both records when he retired. He also holds the distance record in Tour de F ...
added celebrity and allure to the race. Teams based in France most heavily contest the race, but the race today also draws
UCI ProTour
The UCI ProTour was a series of road bicycle racing, road bicycle races in Europe, Australia and Canada organised by the Union Cycliste Internationale, UCI (International Cycling Union). Created by Hein Verbruggen, former president of the UCI, i ...
teams. Some riders also use the race in preparation for the
Ardennes classics
The Ardennes classics are three cycling classics held in mid-April in the Belgian Ardennes and southern Limburg in the Netherlands: Liège–Bastogne–Liège, La Flèche Wallonne and Amstel Gold Race. First held in 1892, 1936 and 1966 respec ...