Compare to the version used in 2016 for the 84th edition of the Monte-Carlo Rally, the stage starts 3 kilometres further upstream, in Esclangon. The first challenge is the passage through the Clues de Barles, followed by a narrow but relatively fast section to Auzet. With the altitude gain, the climb to the Col du Fanget (1459m) is likely to be icy or even snowy, on a road surface that becomes increasingly difficult to drive. Finally, there is a change of scenery with the descent to Seyne-les-Alpes, which is very fast-paced and interspersed with spectacular hairpins.

Record: Stage modified

Contested for the first and only one time during the 86th edition of the Monte-Carlo Rally in 2018, this special stage is very fast-paced, with a high average speed, despite the climb up to the Col de Grêle (728 m) before crossing Sigoyer and Melve. A small new feature is a ‘spectacular’ chicane between these two villages, designed to slow down the speed in a very fast section. The descent towards the finish in Claret is a little more technical – but still very fast – with some nice hairpins to negotiate at the end...

Record: T. Neuville / N. Gilsoul – Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC (ES/SS 8 - 2018) - 8’36.2’’ (105,9 km/h)

Introduced in 1978 and used in this direction in 2013 during the 81st Monte Carlo Rally, this new version with a brand-new start and finish at La Motte-Chalancon makes this special stage even more exciting. The stage begins on the final, narrow section of last year's SS 10/13 ‘La Motte-Chalancon / Saint-Nazaire-le Désert’. The climb presents no major difficulties until the Cols des Guillens (802m) and the Portail (805m), where only a few patches of ice or snow can make things tricky. The spectacular crossing of Volvent then precedes a new climb towards the Cols de Vache (887m) and the Roustans (1030m). The final section is fast and very rhythmic downhill, with a double hairpin, followed by a narrow gorge before Chalancon, which then widens as you approach the finish line...

Record: Stage modified

This is the modified version of the 2019 SS 3/6 ‘Valdrôme / Sigottier’ used last year during the 87th edition of the Monte Carlo Rally. It's a very fast-paced special stage, starting now from La Bâtie-des-Fonds, one of the smallest villages in France (just 2 inhabitants counted) where the Drôme river rises. The road is initially narrow and winding towards the Col de Carabes (1261m), the natural border between the Drôme and Hautes-Alpes departments. The descent is very technical as far as La Piarre, before tackling a very fast final section of 8 kilometres to Aspremont...

Record: T. Katsuta / A. Johnston – Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 (ES/SS 12 - 2025) - 10’37.6’’ (100,8 km/h)

Contested for the first and only one time during the 86th edition of the Monte-Carlo Rally in 2018, this special stage is very fast-paced, with a high average speed, despite the climb up to the Col de Grêle (728 m) before crossing Sigoyer and Melve. A small new feature is a ‘spectacular’ chicane between these two villages, designed to slow down the speed in a very fast section. The descent towards the finish in Claret is a little more technical – but still very fast – with some nice hairpins to negotiate at the end...

Record: Nouvelle Epreuve / New Stage

It is rare enough to be worth mentioning, but the last super special stage dates back to 2008 during the 76th edition of the Monte Carlo Rally. A brand-new configuration contested at night with a single objective: Make the show around Port Hercule and on the lower part of the Monaco Circuit. This unique route allows spectators to see the rally cars in action in an iconic urban setting, offering them a unique experience. The start is in front of the Quai des Artistes restaurant, followed by a slight climb towards the ‘Noghès’ bend before tackling Boulevard Albert 1er, where two chicanes must be negotiated before reaching the ‘Sainte Dévote’ braking point. The route then descends onto Avenue Kennedy and the heavy braking before a right-hand hairpin bend, before returning towards the ‘Bureau de Tabac’ and the ‘S piscine’ between the railway tracks. At the end of this spectacular and very fast passage, heavy braking is required for the sequence of two hairpin bends created for the occasion, offering a series of handbrake turns. To round off the show, a 360° donut on a cobbled section brings the competitors back to the “Rascasse” for a second lap of pure spectacle...

Record: Stage modified

A monument from the 1960s, last borrowed at night, in 2022 during the 90th edition of the Monte Carlo Rally. Climbing from La Bollène-Vésubie towards Col de Turini (1,607m) offers no major issue thanks to the geographic orientation and the topography. It gets tougher when approaching the pass and in the first five kilometers of the downhill portion, and much more critical as it is exposed to the North, where snow and ice are an integral part of the scenery at this time of year. The rythm is then more constant towards Moulinet with a series of very fast road sections...

Record: S. Ogier / B. Veillas – Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid (ES/SS 2 - 2022) - 15’14.4’’ (91,5 km/h)