Heading for Mad Jacques Stop 2026 in Haute-Vienne

In addition to this event, the Mad Jacques Stop is a real lever for attracting people to Haute-Vienne. Initiated by SPL Terres de Limousin in partnership with EBRA Sports, this collective adventure aims to raise the profile of the department among a clearly identified target group: young working people looking for nature, conviviality and authentic experiences. Through this original format combining hitchhiking, challenges and festivities, an entire region is told the story.

The Mad Jacques is not just a one-off weekend of entertainment. It’s a promotional operation running for almost a year, punctuated by editorial content, adventure stories and a strong presence on social networks. A community of over 100,000 nature-lovers follow, comment on and share these experiences, promoting the destination far beyond its borders.

The choice of Lac de Saint-Pardoux as the arrival point is no coincidence. An emblematic site, it alone embodies the diversity of outdoor activities on offer in the Haute-Vienne: swimming, boating, hiking, relaxing, fishing and cycling. All of these assets are perfectly in tune with the values promoted by the ” LIMOUSIN nouveaux horizons ” tourism brand: reconnecting with nature, promoting made-in-Limousin products and taking time to enjoy life.

After a successful first edition in 2025 in the Vienne valley between Jourgnac, Aixe-sur-Vienne and Saint-Victurnien, the ambition is now to change scale. Several thousand participants are expected to take part in the 2026 event. For the region, it’s a unique opportunity to attract new visitors and establish a lasting image among a generation in search of meaning and authenticity.

Where do the “Jacquots” come from?

Paris, Lyon, Nantes, Rennes, Bordeaux, Tours, Toulouse, Angers, Strasbourg, Montpellier, Lille, Clermont-Ferrand and Marseille: participants are setting off from all over France. Their programme: hitchhike to the Haute-Vienne in a day, take on challenges along the way, meet new people and discover a new destination over a friendly, festive weekend… all in costume!

A committed festival open to all

With its eco-responsible approach, the Mad Jacques Stop is also a Sunday morning market of local producers open to all, with conferences and workshops (environmental issues, culture, travel), in a spirit of sharing and discovery.