Staying true to tradition, the Paris Marathon 2026 will kick off, as every year, on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, right under the Arc de Triomphe. Just a few hundred meters on the cobblestones and the runners will zoom towards Place de la Concorde and the Opéra Garnier, before heading down Rue de Rivoli to Bastille.
Next up is the Place de la Nation and Rue de Picpus, then it’s on to Avenue Daumesnil to cross through the Bois de Vincennes and reach the Château de Vincennes. Classic in its layout and even exactly the same as last year, the course is still captivating, offering runners iconic views of the capital with every stride.
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A classic yet spectacular route
At the 25th kilometer, the route returns towards Paris along the banks of the Seine, offering spectacular views of the Grand Palais, Les Invalides, and the Eiffel Tower, before reaching the Pont du Garigliano.
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After a short uphill segment, the runners will pass through the Bois de Boulogne before tackling the last three kilometers in the city center, featuring a stop at the Trocadéro and finishing on Avenue Foch. It's good to note that the course of the Paris Marathon 2026 won't be completely flat: runners will face 292 m of elevation gain and 289 m of descent over the course of 42 km.
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Organization and Refreshments
Additionally, the organizers are planning 10 food stations approximately every 5 km, and 4 water points during the second part of the race. And be careful not to get it wrong: the starts will happen in several waves based on the timed goals, from 7:55 AM for Handisport Wheelchair to 11:32 AM for the group under 4h30.
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With 145 represented nationalities and 250,000 spectators expected, it’s more than likely that the atmosphere will once again be unique. Finishers will enjoy «the Medal that Treats You Right», allowing them to access special offers in Parisian establishments on the day of the race and the day after.