Who won the first Paris–Brest–Paris bicycle race in 1891?

Charles Terront won the first Paris–Brest–Paris bicycle race in 1891.

The inaugural event was a 1,200-kilometre endurance race from Paris to Brest and back. French cyclist Charles Terront completed it in approximately 71 hours and 22 minutes, winning the contest against professional riders and amateurs. His performance helped demonstrate the potential of the pneumatic tyre for long-distance cycling.

Paris–Brest–Paris was organised by the newspaper Le Petit Journal. The race was initially designed as a one-time publicity event, but its success helped establish long-distance cycling as a major sporting spectacle.

The event later became a randonnée for amateur endurance cyclists rather than a conventional professional race. That modern format is held every four years and requires riders to complete the route within a time limit. It should not be confused with Paris–Brest–Paris Audax, which uses a different group-riding format.