running-bordeaux

Bordeaux has just been voted one of the best cities in France for running!

undefined undefined 26 août 2025 undefined 08h30

The Editor

©Eo naya

According to a study by ZAVA based on Strava, AllTrails, and Instagram, Bordeaux ranks as the 9th most running-friendly city in France. With urban routes and the banks of the Garonne, this charming city attracts both casual runners and enthusiasts alike.

According to a study conducted by the medical teleconsultation service ZAVA, Bordeaux ranks ninth among the most pleasant French cities for running. This ranking is based on data from Strava, AllTrails, and Instagram, which examine the quality of trails and the popularity of routes on social media.


Bordeaux, ninth in the national ranking

With a score of 6.23/10, Bordeaux makes its way into the top 10, though it falls behind cities like Lille, Nantes, and Nice. The Gironde capital suffers a bit from the lowest average score in the ranking on AllTrails (3.8/5) and a low number of highly rated trails (0.73 per 10,000 inhabitants).

However, it shines in other areas. Bordeaux boasts 2.80 easy to moderate trails and 3.19 flat paths near the center for 10,000 inhabitants, solid scores that make regular running more accessible. The city also sparkles on Instagram, with 1,968 posts #RunningCity (about 84.9 per 10,000 inhabitants), showcasing a true local enthusiasm.

Running between river and heritage

In Bordeaux, runners take advantage of iconic routes in the heart of the city, blending sport and heritage.

  • The Two Bridges (7.4 km) connect the Stone Bridge to the Chaban-Delmas Bridge, offering a run inspired by the reflections on the Garonne River.

  • The Tour of the Center (5.3 km) takes joggers through historic sites: Porte de Bourgogne, Grand Bar Castan, Tour du Greffe.

The practice of jogging in Bordeaux keeps gaining momentum. This is evidenced by the recent opening of the first Decathlon store in the world dedicated to running at Promenade Sainte-Catherine. The French brand chose our beloved Gironde capital to experiment with this new 160m² store focused exclusively on the world of running.

See this post on Instagram

A post shared by Promenade Sainte-Catherine (@promenadesaintecatherine)


Caen, Besançon, and Rouen on the podium

At the top of the rankings, Caen leads with a score of 7.18/10, boosted by the quality of its trails (4.4/5 on AllTrails) and the richness of its urban routes. It surpasses Besançon (7.10/10), which charms with the richness of its routes, and Rouen (6.85/10), very active on Instagram with nearly 90 posts for 10,000 residents.