Paris Marathon: from the Champs-Élysées along the Seine

The Paris Marathon is one of the largest marathons in the world, starting on the Champs-Élysées and passing the city's great landmarks. It is a spring race with a huge field and a famous finish near the Arc de Triomphe.

Fun facts

• The race starts on the Champs-Élysées.
• The course passes through the Bois de Vincennes and the Bois de Boulogne.
• It is one of the largest marathons in the world by number of runners.

What to see

• The Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Élysées.
• The Eiffel Tower seen from the banks of the Seine.
• Notre-Dame Cathedral on the Île de la Cité.

What to taste

• Fresh baguette and croissants for a pre-race breakfast.
• Crêpes, sweet or savoury.
• Steak frites in a classic Parisian bistro.

What to do

• Visit the expo to collect your bib.
• Join the short breakfast run held the day before the marathon.
• Cheer runners along the Seine embankments.

💡 Tip: RER B trains link Charles de Gaulle airport with central Paris, and Orly has metro and bus connections. Entries often sell out. Fly in at least a day early and book accommodation early, as hotels fill up on race weekend.