The Paris Marathon

On Sunday April 6, 2014, the annual Paris Marathon will start off at the iconic Champs-Elysees, where you can find famous attractions like the Arc de Triomphe and Place de la Concorde, the largest public square in France’s capital city.

The marathon route takes runners past incredible landmarks, including the Louvre and the Place de la Bastille before passing the Eiffel Tower and following the Seine, until it continues on through the Bois de Boulogne, a large public park. This 26 mile race then comes to a spectacular end at Avenue Foch. Many Paris Hotels are excellently located along the marathon route as it travels by the beautiful buildings and scenery that can be found in the heart of this romantic city.

The original Tour de Paris Marathon first took place in 1896 and traveled from Paris to Conflans-Sainte-Honorine. The runners journeyed through Versailles, which is known for the Palace of Versailles, and the gardens of Versailles, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. That year, 191 participants joined the race and those who completed it in less than four hours were given a commemorative medal. The first person to win this challenging race was a British man named Len Hurst, who received 200 francs as his prize.

Although the marathon route offers visitors to Paris the chance to admire memorable landmarks, there is still plenty for you to enjoy even when you are not competing, including the Palais Garnier, the city’s famous opera house, which is now the location of the Paris Opera Library-Museum. You may also wish to visit the Notre-Dame Cathedral, a stunning architectural wonder and one of the most famous churches in the world. And, no trip to Paris would be complete without people watching in a chic Parisian café, while sampling fine French cuisine and wine.

Discover fascinating cultural treasures and experience the incredible excitement of one of the world's best marathons during your next visit to Paris, France.

Written by Carrie Riches