The novelty of the Rally is that the final classification takes into account three criteria:

• first, teams must check in at all the checkpoints within the designated time period (2 to 4 hours) in order to prove they have followed the route described in the road book. Between these checkpoints, they are free to choose their own itineraries and to stop whenever they wish to take photos.
• Second, each team must submit ten photos (two for each theme) every five days. These photos will be judged by a jury of professional photographers and journalists.
• Finally, each team must produce a written report on a subject of their choice relating to the areas visited by the rally (but not the Rally itself). This is a very good way of finding out more about the countries we visit and getting to know local people.

We ask our participants to open their eyes, to be inquisitive, respectful and open-minded.
If you have all these qualities, the Rally is for you. The best photos will be published in partner magazines and newspapers, including National Geographic Nordic Editions, Helsingin Sanomat (Finland’s biggest daily paper) and Svenska Dagbladet (Sweden’s 2nd biggest daily paper).

The Paris-North Cape, an adventure based on exploration, respect for others, self-discovery and curiosity about the world around us.

budget of €3000 to €4500 per team of two people

Much of which can be covered by finding sponsors. This budget includes the registration fee, fuel, ferries, campsites and food.
There are no restrictions on the age or model of the cars teams use, but campervans, trucks and motorbikes are not permitted. Registrations are open from now until June 30 of the year of the next raid and be careful because the number of registrations is limited.

AN ADVENTURE OPEN TO EVERYONE

Philippe BOUCHER and his team invite anyone attracted by the Rally’s principles

to join us in taking thousands of photos during a 10,000-km road trip far from the usual tourist track. The Rally gives participants an opportunity to explore the length and breadth of Scandinavia and to discover some of the hidden treasures of northern Europe. Evenings sitting round the campfire while soaking up the amazing spectacle of the midnight sun in an unspoilt wilderness are a prefect way of getting to know fellow travellers from far and wide.
Completing the PARIS-NORTH CAPE PHOTO RALLY requires a large amount of physical and mental effort, especially on the PHOTO TREKS in Norway (across remote islands and to the top of Scandinavia’s highest mountain), Sweden (Europe’s largest nature reserve and an area where reindeer roam wild) and Finland (lakes and canyons).
Participants will also need to call upon their reserves of stamina during the “Midnight Sun” stages – for some people, being out and about from 8 pm until 3 am is already a challenge. Extremes of temperature are also a factor to take into account – the average temperature at the top of the Glittertind (2,465 m), Scandinavia’s second highest mountain, is -10°C, whereas the temperature can soar to +36°C in Finland. However, the camaraderie that develops between participants helps soothe the difficulties of the Rally’s long stages.
We will visit some of the most beautiful corners of these contrasting lands, from Norway’s fjords and spectacular Lofoten islands to Sweden’s northern hills, home to the last herds of wild reindeer, the southern plains of Finland, dotted with 100,000 lakes, and Europe’s biggest nature reserves.

For many participants, Paris-North Cape is a revelation.

Some of our participants have become addicted to photography or to travel; some have even changed their lives:
The winner of the 1995 Rally abandoned his career as a chartered accountant to become a professional photographer.

Others enlist the support of the people around them to help them make their dream come true:
Nathalie and Nicolas are just 20 years old. By selling t-shirts to more than 360 family members, friends, colleagues and acquaintances, and with help from private and public sponsors, they managed to live up to their slogan of “beyond the borders”. They wanted to go far, and they did… they won the rally!

PARIS-NORTH CAPE RALLY
THE PIONEERING PHOTO RALLY