Even older than Paris-Brest-Paris is Bordeaux-Paris. Back in the early days of the safety bicycle (May 1891), four Englishmen were the first to finish what became the longest one-day race in the European pro calendar. The professional race fizzled out 30 years ago but the 'Derby of the Road' isn't dead. There have been periodic randonnees and more recently some sportive editions but every decade since 1951 the UAF has organised Bordeaux-Paris as a 600km Audax brevet. It is on again in 2016, HK and I will be there and we shouldn't be the only Anglos enjoying the fun.
Audax in France is quite different to Audax UK events. The UAF's motto is “Start together, finish together” and the French form follows Desgrange's original concept of a group riding to a schedule with 'road captains' setting the pace (22.5km/h average excluding stops). The captains have the dual aims of maintaining the schedule and everybody finishing. A follow car will transport your luggage, so there is no need to carry the kitchen sink. There are stops every 40-60km, wine is on the table, meals arrive minutes after the riders do and are included in the entry fee, as is the four course meal at the finish. Many French riders choose UAF for their first 600 brevet and the format is a refreshing change for experienced AUKs.
Bordeaux-Paris Audax departs from Artigues 07:00 Saturday 11 June and will finish in southern Paris (Montgeron's Reveil Matin, where the very first Tour de France started) at 19:00 Sunday 12 June. Cycle helmets are compulsory, as are lights and reflective vests at night. Pre-inscriptions (75 Euro) are due by 31 January with the balance of the 220 Euro total entry fee due by 30 April. For many one-way brevets, the UAF organises a coach to transport riders and their bagged bikes but you'll need to let the organiser know in early January if you want a lift to Bordeaux. We will be either flying or TGV/ Eurostar to the start and possibly riding back from Paris via an ACP Fleche de France permanent and ferry.
More details at
http://www.audax-uaf.com/cyclotourisme/bordeaux-paris-audax-2016/ including a link for pre-inscription.
Don't be too concerned about potential language problems. Your French can't be worse than mine and everybody has been nothing but helpful since I started riding UAF brevets in 2008.