France is Running – and How!
Whether through the narrow streets of Paris, over rocky ridges in the Mont-Blanc massif, or with a glass of wine through idyllic landscapes – running events in France are a feast for the senses. Trail running, marathons, and urban running adventures await discovery (and completion) in every corner of the country. France offers the perfect stage for all tastes and fitness levels – with breathtaking scenery, culinary highlights, and a touch of French joie de vivre that makes every finish line shine.
Note: The order does NOT represent a ranking – every run has its own unique charm!
The Most Beautiful Runs in France – from City to Mountain
1. Paris Marathon
Starting at the Arc de Triomphe and finishing near the Eiffel Tower, the Paris Marathon is an absolute classic. Every year, over 50,000 runners line the Avenue des Champs-Élysées to experience the capital on foot. Along the way, you'll pass landmarks such as Place de la Bastille, Notre-Dame, and Bois de Boulogne – sightseeing at running pace. The atmosphere? Electric. The spectators? Loud and warm-hearted. The course? Flat (mostly) and suitable for personal bests. And all this bathed in Parisian springtime glow.
Romance and speed – a combination that simply works.
Date: April
All information about the Paris Marathon
2. Guadarun Raid Adventure
For those who love the word "adventure" combined with "Caribbean," "island hopping," and "running fun with a tropical vibe," the Guadarun Raid Adventure is a dream – and a sweaty challenge. This unique stage race takes place over several days across the wild beauty of Guadeloupe.
Running among palm trees, beaches, and jungle – this is no ordinary marathon, it’s an expedition. The heat is challenging, the scenery breathtaking. The experience? Unforgettable. A small, family-friendly, international race where evenings are spent more on the beach than at the physio. Coconuts instead of gels!
Date: April
All information about the Guadarun Raid Adventure
3. Grand Raid Ventoux
Mont Ventoux – legendary for cyclists, feared by trail runners. The Grand Raid Ventoux takes you up the "Giant of Provence," standing at 1,912 meters. The course is technical, rocky, and spectacular – not for beginners, but a dream for all elevation lovers. The view from the summit is poetry; the climb there is pure muscle-straining bliss. And when the wind blows (as it often does), it becomes truly heroic.
Those who reach the finish can pat themselves on the back – or simply collapse into a deck chair.
Date: April
All information about the Grand Raid Ventoux
4. La Route du Louvre
A run with artistic ambition – at the Route du Louvre, sport meets history and culture. The course leads from Lille to Lens, past old mines and modern museums. The atmosphere is festive, family-friendly, and imbued with northern French warmth. The finish is spectacular: the Louvre Museum in Lens, rivaling its Parisian counterpart.
A fantastic event for marathon newcomers and landscape lovers – with lots of history under the running shoes. Art meets endurance!
Date: May
All information about the Route du Louvre
5. Trail Alsace Grand Est
Welcome to Alsace, welcome to trail paradise! The Trail Alsace Grand Est runs through dense forests, past castle ruins, and vineyards. Runners here feel the spirit of Alsace in every fiber. The courses are challenging, the views breathtaking. And the food? Well – cheese, tarte flambée, wine… it’s all part of the experience.
An event full of heart, character, and charm. And with a bit of luck, you might see a stork-filled sky along the way. The longest race is 100 miles long – more than 5,000 participants take part each year.
Date: May
All information about the Trail Alsace Grand Est
6. Transjura Trail
Wild, green, remote – the Transjura Trail is like a small escape from everyday life. In the Jura Mountains, runners traverse high plateaus, forests, and alpine meadows. The silence is impressive, the nature pure.
The challenge lies in the elevation – but the reward is enormous. Little bustle, lots of authenticity. For trail runners who love peace and aren’t deterred by wind or weather.
Date: June
All information about the Transjura Trail
7. Marathon du Mont-Blanc
Chamonix calls – and thousands of trail enthusiasts answer. The Marathon du Mont-Blanc is one of Europe’s most beautiful and challenging races. 42 kilometers with over 2,700 meters of elevation, panoramic views included. Organization is top-notch, the atmosphere euphoric. It’s a celebration – for legs and heart alike.
Once you’ve run the alpine meadows around Chamonix, you’ll come back. Without a doubt.
Date: June
All information about the Marathon du Mont-Blanc
8. Les Gabizos Trail
A hidden gem in the Pyrenees: the Les Gabizos Trail. Small, refined, and sweat-inducing. The course runs through wild mountains, past clear lakes, rugged ridges, and green meadows. The landscape looks like a fantasy film – only real. The participant numbers are limited, making it especially authentic.
Those who love nature and aren’t afraid of elevation will be thrilled here. Race distance: up to 30 km.
Date: July
All information about the Les Gabizos Trail
9. Vars Mountain Trail
The Vars Mountain Trail is an elevation rush with guaranteed views. Located in the southern Alps, it combines athletic challenge with Mediterranean flair. Runners face a technical course with many panoramic sections that make every breath an experience. The paths are narrow, the mountains rugged – perfect for ambitious trail runners who know how to conquer switchbacks. And at the finish – typically French – good cheese and even better wine await.
Elevation deluxe with a wink! The longest race is 42 km with more than 3,000 meters of positive elevation.
Date: July
All information about the Vars Mountain Trail
10. Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB)
The UTMB is not just a race – it is THE race. Every ultra-trail fan’s heart beats faster when Chamonix calls. 171 km, 10,000 meters of elevation, three countries – and an atmosphere that touches your soul. Those who start here must be well-prepared (hopefully). Those who finish here belong to the elite.
Spectators cheer deep into the night, runners battle sleep deprivation, euphoria, and sudden weather changes. The UTMB is a legend, a dream, a boundary-pushing experience. Anyone who has experienced it will never forget it.
Date: August / September
All information about the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc
11. Marathon du Médoc
The Marathon du Médoc proves that wine and running don’t exclude each other – quite the opposite! Amid Bordeaux’s most famous vineyards, costumed participants run through picturesque villages, past châteaux, through vineyards, and across aid stations with… wine, cheese, and oysters! No joke. It’s a culinary festival over 42.195 km. Fun factor is enormous, laughter is loud, muscle soreness guaranteed.
The craziest marathon in France – and perhaps the tastiest in the world.
Date: September
All information about the Marathon du Médoc
12. Nice Côte d’Azur by UTMB
Sun, sea, mountains – the Nice Côte d’Azur by UTMB combines the best of the French Riviera with the toughness of a true trail run. The course leads from the Southern Alps down to the Promenade des Anglais in Nice. Start in the silence of the mountains, finish at the roaring sea – a dream backdrop that makes every runner’s heart race. Challenging, beautiful, and perfectly organized.
A relatively new highlight in the UTMB calendar – and already a must!
Date: September
All information about the Nice Côte d’Azur by UTMB
13. Verticale du Grand Serre
The Verticale du Grand Serre is short, steep, brutal – and legendary. 1,000 meters of elevation over just 1.8 km – that needs to be felt… or better said, in your calves. Europe’s steepest vertical course attracts the best mountain runners every year. At the top, there’s no glamour, just pure satisfaction and often a cloud-covered summit.
Participants don’t need long legs – they need short pain thresholds. A sprint for masochists with an eye for views.
Date: September / October
All information about the Verticale du Grand Serre
14. Run in Lyon
The city of lights shows at the Run in Lyon that urban running doesn’t have to be boring. Whether 10 km, half marathon, or full marathon – there’s a suitable challenge for every fitness level. The route passes through historic neighborhoods, across the Rhône, past culinary hotspots, and of course through enthusiastic crowds.
A perfect mix of city run and cultural trip. And at the finish: cheese fondue or quenelle. Lyon knows how to celebrate!
Date: October
All information about the Run in Lyon
15. Rennes Urban Trail
Stairs, tunnels, alleys – at the Rennes Urban Trail the city becomes a playground. In the heart of Brittany, runners experience an urban trail version where it’s not only about speed but also about exploration. From the town hall basement to the cathedral – everything with stairs is included.
The atmosphere is relaxed, the route creative, and the vibe wonderfully Breton. A great change of pace for city runners with a sense of adventure. Over 10,000 runners participate in Rennes every year.
Date: October
All information about the Rennes Urban Trail
16. EcoTrail de Paris
Paris can be green too – the EcoTrail de Paris proves it. Start in nature, finish in front of the Eiffel Tower: the concept captivates nature and city lovers alike every year. The longest route? A whopping 120 kilometers of trails through forests, parks, and hidden corners of the city. And then the final finish in front of THE landmark – goosebumps guaranteed.
Sustainable, close to nature, and simply beautiful. Perfect for anyone wanting to experience Paris differently.
Date: March
All information about the EcoTrail de Paris
17. Grand Raid de la Réunion
The Diagonale des Fous, as the Grand Raid de la Réunion is lovingly called, is a legend. More than 160 km through the wild, rugged landscapes of Reunion Island – this is not just a race, it’s organized madness. Volcanoes, jungle, steep slopes, night sections – this ultra is extreme in every way. Anyone taking part is ready for a real adventure.
The organization is professional (even if the organizers unfortunately never answer our emails), the scenery is spectacular, and the finish unforgettable. One of the toughest and most beautiful trails in the world, with around 5,000 participants each year.
Date: October
All information about the Grand Raid de la Réunion
18. Trail du Ventoux
The little brother of the Grand Raid – but no less impressive. The Trail du Ventoux also leads to a legendary mountain and offers several distances, including a challenging 46-km variant. The course goes through dense forests, rocky tracks, and alpine heights – a true trail classic in spring.
Conditions are often variable, the terrain demanding, but the reward is huge. A must for anyone who loves rugged trails.
Date: March
All information about the Trail du Ventoux
19. Foulées du Gois
A race against the sea – literally. The Foulées du Gois take place on a road that is flooded by the Atlantic twice a day. The time window is short – anyone too slow gets wet… very wet. This race is unique in the world: the appeal lies in its unpredictability. Start when the water recedes – and then it’s full speed ahead.
The atmosphere is electrifying, and the crowd on the dike goes wild. A crazy, wonderful race with guaranteed goosebumps.
Date: June
All information about the Foulées du Gois
The Most Beautiful Running Events in France
Note: The order does NOT represent a ranking.
The 25 most beautiful marathons in Europe
Summary
France impresses with diverse running events that excel not only in sport but also culturally and scenically. From the classic city marathon in Paris to high-alpine trail adventures around Mont Blanc to quirky events like the Marathon du Médoc – there’s a perfect stage for every type of runner. Particularly noteworthy is the combination of breathtaking nature, excellent organization, and a touch of French savoir-vivre. Whether in the Alps, on the Atlantic coast, or in Provence – running in France is always an experience for body and soul.
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