The 10 best marathons to run in France in 2026: the complete calendar

42.195 km. A legendary distance, one obsession: crossing the line. Whether you're chasing your first marathon or another medal for the wall, 2026 is shaping up to be a great year for running in France. From iconic city races to vineyard parties and seaside courses, we've curated the 10 best marathons to run in France in 2026.

What you'll find here: dates, courses, vibe, recommended level, and registration tips. Everything you need to plan your season — and find the marathon that fits you on BPMoov.

The 10 marathons to run in France in 2026

Paris Marathon — April 12

Brooks Lake Annecy Marathon — April 19

Run in Mont-Saint-Michel — May 19

Médoc Marathon — September 5

Run In Lyon — October 4

Reims Champagne Run — October 10–11

Rennes Green Marathon — October 17–18

Toulouse Métropole Run Experience — November 1

Nice-Cannes Marathon — November 8

Bordeaux Métropole Marathon — November 8

How to choose your 2026 marathon

Before diving into the top 10, ask yourself three simple questions. The answers will tell you which marathon is right for you:

Your level. First marathon or chasing a PR? Flat courses (Paris, Nice-Cannes, La Rochelle) are built for performance. Hillier or festive races are best run for the experience.
The vibe. Urban marathon with roaring crowds, lakeside nature run, or fancy-dress race through vineyards? Choosing the right marathon is mostly about choosing the experience you want.
The timing. The 2026 French marathon calendar runs from March to November, with peaks in spring and autumn. Pick a race that gives you enough time to train (a typical plan runs 12 to 16 weeks).

BPMoov tip: lock in your bib 3 to 6 months in advance for popular races. Slots disappear fast — especially Paris, Médoc and Nice-Cannes.

1. Paris Marathon — April 12, 2026

The undisputed icon. It's hard to talk about the best marathons in France without starting here. The Schneider Electric Paris Marathon brings 50,000+ runners to the Champs-Élysées, threads through Bastille, Notre-Dame, the Eiffel Tower and the Bois de Boulogne, and serves up an electric crowd from km 1 to km 42.

Date: Sunday, April 12, 2026
Start: Avenue des Champs-Élysées
Profile: flat to lightly rolling — built for chasing a PR
Level: all levels, from first-timers to elite
Heads up: registration traditionally opens in April of the previous year. If the 2026 edition has already happened by the time you're reading this, save the date for 2027.

Our verdict: if you only run one marathon in France in your lifetime, this is the one.

2. Brooks Lake Annecy Marathon — April 19, 2026

Often crowned "the most beautiful marathon in France" by those who've raced it, the Lake Annecy Marathon hugs the lake's western shore, threading turquoise water and Alpine peaks. The 45th edition starts at the Pâquier in the heart of Annecy at 8 a.m. sharp on Sunday.

Date: Sunday, April 19, 2026 (race weekend April 18–19)
Start: Pâquier, Annecy
Profile: rolling, with a few false flats — the scenery makes you forget the effort
Level: accessible — a great pick for a first "postcard" marathon
Distances available: 5K, 9K, 10K, half, marathon

Our verdict: run it at least once. A nature marathon that doesn't compromise on organization.

3. Run in Mont-Saint-Michel — May 19, 2026

Picture yourself crossing the finish line facing Mont-Saint-Michel, after running along the UNESCO-listed bay. That's what this marathon delivers — one of the most photogenic on the 2026 calendar.

Date: Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Start: Cancale (for the marathon)
Profile: rolling early on, flat along the bay for the finish
Level: intermediate — ideal for a second or third marathon
Distances available: 10K, half, marathon, 53 km ultra-trail

Our verdict: a French marathon packed with emotion, with a finish you won't forget.

4. Médoc Marathon — September 5, 2026

THE most festive marathon on the planet. The Marathon des Châteaux du Médoc is 42 km through the Bordeaux vineyards, 23 aid stations (you read that right), wine, oysters, steak, and a mandatory dress code: costume. The 2026 theme? "The 80s".

Date: Saturday, September 5, 2026, start at 9:30 a.m.
Start: Pauillac
Profile: flat, but don't expect a PR
Level: finishers only — you need to handle 6+ hours on your feet
Vibe: unrivaled, a must-do at least once

Our verdict: it's not a marathon, it's a festival you happen to run in sneakers. Bucket-list material.

5. Run In Lyon — October 4, 2026

The big southeastern running event. Run In Lyon by Harmonie Mutuelle gathers 20,000+ runners every year on courses winding through Vieux-Lyon, along the Rhône and Saône, and through the city's most beautiful districts.

Date: Sunday, October 4, 2026
Start: Place Bellecour
Profile: flat, fast course — a great marathon for chasing a personal record
Level: all levels
Distances available: solidarity 5K, 10K, half, marathon

Our verdict: an urban marathon built for performance, with airtight logistics and unmistakable Lyon flair.

6. Reims Champagne Run — October 10–11, 2026

Champagne, sabered bottles, and chrono. The Reims Champagne Run delivers a unique route through cathedrals, vineyards and champagne cellars, finishing on Place Royale. An original formula — one of the most exotic-feeling marathons in France without leaving the country.

Date: weekend of Saturday October 10 and Sunday October 11, 2026
Start: Reims city center
Profile: rolling through the vineyards, downhill back to the city
Level: intermediate
Distances available: 10K, half, marathon, 87 km ultra trail

Our verdict: pick this one if you love running through vineyards but want less of the costume-party energy of the Médoc.

7. Rennes Green Marathon — October 17–18, 2026

A pioneer among eco-friendly marathons in France, the Rennes Green Marathon goes all-in on sustainability: organic aid stations, reusable cups, low-impact course design. The route mixes the historic center, parks, and Breton countryside.

Date: weekend of October 17–18, 2026
Start: Rennes
Profile: mixed urban and nature, lightly rolling
Level: all levels
Particularity: the "green marathon" label is real — environmental commitments are documented

Our verdict: the values-driven marathon. Run it if your principles matter as much as your splits.

8. Toulouse Métropole Run Experience — November 1, 2026

The 2nd edition of an ambitious marathon. The Toulouse Métropole Run Experience runs through the Pink City's landmarks: Capitole, Garonne river, Pont-Neuf, Cité de l'Espace.

Date: Sunday, November 1, 2026
Start: Toulouse
Profile: flat, fast — a marathon for chasing a chrono
Level: all levels
Distances available: marathon, half, 10K, relay, kids' races

Our verdict: an urban marathon on the rise, perfect for a sunny southwestern autumn weekend.

9. Nice-Cannes Marathon — November 8, 2026

The most glamorous marathon in France. Start on Nice's Promenade des Anglais, finish on Cannes' Croisette. In between: 42.195 km, 95% of the course along the Mediterranean, just 173 m of elevation gain, and Côte d'Azur warmth in the heart of autumn.

Date: Sunday, November 8, 2026, start at 8 a.m.
Start: Promenade des Anglais, Nice
Finish: Boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes
Profile: flat, ideal for performance
Level: all levels — one of the best French marathons for a first marathon

Our verdict: postcard scenery + chrono potential. The winning combo for the perfect first marathon.

10. Bordeaux Métropole Marathon — November 8, 2026

The big return. Seven years after its last edition, the Bordeaux Marathon makes its 2026 comeback. The route winds through the most beautiful districts of the Gironde capital: Place de la Bourse, the Garonne quays, and surrounding metropolitan towns.

Date: Sunday, November 8, 2026
Start: Bordeaux city center
Profile: mostly flat, fast course expected
Level: all levels
Heads up: register early — the comeback effect is going to drive demand

Our verdict: the late-2026 running event. Don't miss it if you love big premieres (or big comebacks).

Honorable mentions: 3 marathons not to overlook

10 isn't enough. Three more gems that deserve a spot in your 2026 running calendar:

Seine-Eure Marathon (October 18, 2026) — a Norman nature course, ideal for runners who want a smaller, intimate event.
Deauville Marathon (November 14–15, 2026) — seaside, iconic boardwalks, refined atmosphere.
La Rochelle Serge Vigot Marathon (November 29, 2026) — the 35th edition of a French calendar classic, known for clockwork-tight logistics and a flat course built for records.

How to register for a marathon in France in 2026

Marathon registration in France always follows the same playbook:

Plan ahead. Slots for the big French marathons (Paris, Médoc, Nice-Cannes) sell out in a few weeks, sometimes days.
Have your paperwork ready. Since 2024, the PPS ("Parcours Prévention Santé") or a competition-grade medical certificate is still required.
Pick the right distance. First marathon? Run a half first, then a flat 42 km (Paris, Toulouse, Lyon, Nice-Cannes).
Find your race on BPMoov. Our platform brings together marathon and road race registrations in France so you don't have to juggle ten different sites.

FAQ — Marathons in France 2026

What's the easiest marathon in France for a beginner?

The most beginner-friendly marathons in France are flat, well-supported courses with a welcoming vibe. Our top 3: Nice-Cannes Marathon (flat course along the sea), Run In Lyon (great organization, fast course), and Toulouse Métropole (flat, mild November weather).

What is the most beautiful marathon in France?

Subjective, but three names come up again and again: Paris Marathon for the monumental backdrop, Lake Annecy Marathon for the Alpine scenery, and Nice-Cannes Marathon for the Mediterranean. Mont-Saint-Michel Marathon also belongs in this conversation.

How much does a marathon registration cost in France?

2026 entry fees range from €65 to €150 depending on the race and registration window. Big international marathons (Paris) run more expensive than regional ones. Register early — prices climb as race day approaches.

What's an average marathon finishing time?

The average marathon time in France is between 4:00 and 4:30. Cutoff times are usually 5 to 6 hours. For Médoc, plan for 6+ hours… with food and wine tastings along the way.

When should I start training for a 2026 marathon?

For an autumn race (Lyon, Toulouse, Nice-Cannes, Bordeaux), start your training plan in June or July 2026. For a spring 2027 marathon (Paris), kick off in December 2026. Plan for 12 to 16 weeks of structured training.

Ready to run your 2026 marathon?

Whether you're going for your first marathon, a new PR, or just one more medal for the collection, 2026 gives you 10 chances at an unforgettable experience. Between Parisian boulevards, Médoc vineyards and the French Riviera promenade, there's a marathon out there with your name on it.

Find your next bib on BPMoov — we bring together marathon and road race registrations in France, with everything you need (course, elevation, vibe, runner reviews) in one place.

Train well — and we'll see you on the start line.

Article last updated April 27, 2026. Dates and details may change; always check official websites before finalizing your registration.