The Paris Marathon is one of the most important worldwide due to its age and number of participants. In LOCK & enjoy! we want to accompany you in this famous race with this post we have prepared for you to know in detail everything you need to know.
History and figures of the Paris Marathon
The first Paris Marathon was organized in 1976, although its exact origin dates back to 1896, since a similar race was organized, although only 191 people participated.
It is known worldwide, as it runs through some of the most beautiful areas of Paris, such as the Place de la Bastille, the Eiffel Tower or the Bois de Boulogne, a total of 42 kilometers.
The figures for this event are a good indication of its importance:
- A total of 3,000 volunteers make this event a success.
- Last year, approximately 250,000 people watched the marathon.
- In 2024, 24 tons of bananas, 19 tons of oranges, 7 tons of apples and 3 tons of fresh fruit were distributed for runners to replenish their strength. Also, more than half a million bottles of water.
- 97% of the participants finish the race and, moreover, 60% finish in a time of more than 4 hours.
Dates, schedules and registration
The marathon takes place on April 13 at 08:15 am.
Registration for the Paris Marathon can be done through its website websiteHowever, we anticipate the requirements to participate in it.
First of all, the registration fee is 85 €. This amount corresponds only to the purchase price of the race bib and also to the costs of the platform. Children, companies and organizations can also participate.
However, the bib is only assigned to you once you have reached the minimum collection requirement, i.e. you must raise a minimum of €420. This is done with donations through your fundraising page. There are a variety of charities and NGOs to choose from to meet this requirement.
It should not be forgotten that this is a solidarity race, therefore, the money raised is destined to social causes. At the moment, there are already almost 2,500 participants, 67 companies, 47 social organizations and 24,000 donations have been made, raising more than one million euros.
Paris Marathon Route
Before registering we recommend that you take note of the marathon route that we explain in LOCK & enjoy! This way you can get a better idea of the route and its tourist points of interest.
Departure: Champs Elysées Avenue
The starting point is on the famous Avenue des Champs Elysees, one of the most emblematic places in the city. In addition, you can also see the spectacular view of the Arc de Triomphe in the background. Can you imagine yourself surrounded by thousands of runners and spectators cheering you on?
From here the route continues to the Place de la Bastille, where runners can see the Obelisk of Luxor, as well as the green areas surrounding it.
Place de la Bastille
The race continues along the Rue de Rivoli to continue to the Louvre Museum and the Tuileries Gardens.
Once you reach the Place de la Bastille, the route continues through the east of the city, less touristic, but with wide avenues.
Vincennes Forest
The next stretch is the Bois de Vincennes, one of the largest green spaces in the city. This park offers a relaxed and natural atmosphere, as it has large areas of trees and shady paths, aspects that make the race more bearable.
During this part you can contemplate the famous Château de Vincennes, an outstanding medieval fortress from the 14th century.
Return to the center of Paris
Once you leave the center, the route continues to the city center, but crossing the Seine River. This is the halfway point of the marathon and therefore a key moment to gauge the strength and energy of the participants.
During this part of the race, you will see historic sites such as the Notre Dame Cathedral. It is one of the most beautiful moments, as running along the Seine offers spectacular views.
Very close to the cathedral we have Lockers in Châtelet-Les Halles.. Take the opportunity to leave your backpack or personal belongings in one of our Luggage storage if you decide to end up there.
Tunnels
The tour continues along the banks of the Seine River. It is a wonderful opportunity to see the famous bridges of Paris, as well as the historic buildings and the famous boats that sail on the Seine.
On the other hand, you also go through a series of tunnels, such as the Tuileries Tunnel. It is a very complex part of the tour, since the lack of light and the change of temperature can affect your pace.
Eiffel Tower and Champs de Mars
Passing by the Eiffel Tower is one of the most exciting moments of the race due to the large number of spectators in this area. We are sure that contemplating this monument will give you a boost. You will also pass by the Champs de Mars.
On the other hand, we have Lockers at the Eiffel Tower so you can leave everything you need in a Luggage storage. We have different sizes and you can enter and leave the premises as many times as you need for the duration of your reservation.
Boulogne Forest
The route in the Bois de Boulogne is the hardest section. It is a green and quiet area, however, there is already a lot of accumulated fatigue and, therefore, it is one of the most demanding sections.
It is also important to know that it is one of the places with the fewest spectators, a detail that can affect your motivation.
Last kilometers
Once out of the Bois Boulogne, the runners return to the city to continue along the Avenue Foch until they reach the finish line. This is the most atmospheric area of the entire marathon, as there are thousands of people cheering on the participants.
Can you imagine crossing the finish line with the Arc de Triomphe in the background?
Don’t hesitate and sign up for the Paris Marathon. When you finish, we encourage you to book one of our Paris sightseeing activities to continue enjoying one of the most important cities in the world.
