Paris Marathon

There’s something magical about running a marathon through the streets of Paris. On April 3, 2022, I joined thousands of runners to participate in one of the world’s most scenic marathons, which took us past centuries of history and architectural marvels.

The marathon took place on a sunny but cool spring morning. The temperature at the start was around 7°C (45°F) and warmed up to about 15°C (59°F) by midday. The conditions were ideal for marathon running – clear skies, light winds, and moderate temperatures that helped prevent overheating while allowing runners to maintain a comfortable pace. The sunny conditions also made it perfect for spectators lining the course and helped showcase Paris’s beautiful architecture and landmarks in the best possible light.

Through this unforgettable 42.195 km journey with other fellow runners from around the world, we experienced Paris in a way few ever do. Let me take you through this incredible adventure, highlighting the historic landmarks and stunning vistas that make this marathon truly unique.

The Grand Departure

The journey begins at the majestic Arc de Triomphe, the 164-foot-tall monument erected in 1836 to honor those who fought for France.

As runners make their way to the starting line, they descend the world-famous Avenue des Champs-Elysées, often called “the most beautiful avenue in the world.” The first kilometer takes participants down this historic thoroughfare until reaching Place de la Concorde.

At the center of Place de la Concorde stands the majestic Egyptian obelisk, a 3,300-year-old monument with a fascinating history. This 23-meter high, 230-ton pink granite obelisk originally stood at the entrance of the Luxor Temple in Egypt. It was gifted to France by the Ottoman ruler of Egypt, Mehemet Ali Pasha, in 1830 as a token of friendship. The obelisk’s journey to Paris was an epic seven-year adventure, involving a specially designed ship capable of navigating both the Nile and the Seine. Finally erected on October 25, 1836, in front of 200,000 spectators, it has since become an integral part of the Parisian landscape.

Through the Heart of Paris

The route then winds through Rue de Rivoli before turning onto Rue de Castiglione, leading runners to the elegant Place Vendôme. At its center rises the imposing Colonne Vendôme, a 144-foot victory column erected by Napoleon I in 1810. Cast from 1,200 melted-down enemy cannons captured at the Battle of Austerlitz, it stands as a symbol of military triumph, topped with a statue of Napoleon dressed as a Roman emperor. The column has been destroyed and rebuilt several times, reflecting France’s tumultuous political history. Today, it stands as a powerful symbol of French military might and national pride.

Continuing our journey, we reached Avenue de l’Opéra, where we circled the magnificent Palais Garnier. This opulent opera house, built between 1861 and 1875, is a masterpiece of Neo-Baroque architecture.

It’s famous for its grand staircase, luxurious interiors, and the ceiling painted by Marc Chagall in 1964. The Palais Garnier has been immortalized in literature, most notably as the setting for Gaston Leroux’s “The Phantom of the Opera.”

As we ran down Avenue de l’Opéra, the iconic Louvre came into view. Once a a medieval fortress turned royal palace, the Louvre is now the world’s largest art museum, housing over 380,000 objects, including the famous Mona Lisa. We admired the contrast between the old palace buildings and the modern glass pyramid designed by I.M. Pei, which has become a Parisian landmark in its own right since its construction in 1989. The remarkable juxtaposition of classical and modern architectural styles epitomizes Paris’s ability to blend different historical epochs into a coherent whole.

On our right, we passed by L’Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, a smaller but no less magnificent counterpart to its famous cousin at Place Charles de Gaulle. Built between 1806-1808 to commemorate Napoleon’s military victories, this triumphal arch serves as an elegant gateway between the Tuileries Garden and the Louvre courtyard. It survived the destruction of the Tuileries Palace during the dark days of the Paris Commune in 1871, and it was freshly restored in 2024 in preparation for the Paris Olympic Games.

Into Le Marais

At the banks of the Seine, the marathon course turns left and took us for a straight run through Le Marais, one of Paris’s most historic and trendy neighborhoods. This former marshy area (“marais” means marsh) transformed into an aristocratic district in the 16th and 17th centuries. Today, it’s known for its preserved medieval architecture, Jewish quarter, vibrant LGBTQ+ community, and fashionable boutiques.

The course arrives at Place de la Bastille, site of the infamous prison fortress whose storming on July 14, 1789, marked the beginning of the French Revolution. Though the prison no longer stands, the July Column commemorates the Revolution of 1830, rising where prison walls once cast their shadows.

In the Bois de Vincennes

On the other side of Place de la Bastille, the marathon course continues on Rue du Fauburg Saint-Antoine, then a slight right on Rue de Reuilly, then on to Avenue Daumesnil until it reaches the Bois de Vincennes park in Paris’s eastern edge. The Bois de Vincennes is the city’s largest public park, covering an impressive 2,459 acres – nearly three times the size of New York’s Central Park. Originally a royal hunting ground dating back to the 12th century, the park was transformed into a public space during the Second Empire under Napoleon III’s vision for Paris’s green spaces.

This vast urban woodland offers marathon runners a welcome respite from city streets as they navigate an easterly course beneath centuries-old trees toward the Château de Vincennes. This medieval fortress, begun in the 12th century and completed in the 14th, served as a royal residence until Versailles became the seat of power. Then, it served as a state prison and a military stronghold. Its 170-foot donjon (keep) remains the tallest medieval fortified structure in Europe.

After passing the Château de Vincennes, runners embark on one of the marathon’s most peaceful stretches, tracing a sweeping arc through the park’s perimeter. This tranquil section, shaded by ancient trees and punctuated by glimpses of local Parisians enjoying their weekend, leads to the exit at the 12th arrondissement – a significant milestone marking the race’s halfway point.

The route then weaves through the authentic charm of residential Paris, where locals cheer from their balconies and set up informal water stations for runners.

These quieter neighborhoods offer a glimpse into daily Parisian life before the course returns to the grandeur of Place de la Bastille.

Here, runners make a left turn, leaving the historic square behind as they head toward the Seine. A right turn onto the riverbank begins what many consider the marathon’s most scenic portion, as runners join the flow of the Seine through the heart of Paris.

Iconic Landmarks along the Seine

Along the Seine, runners are treated to views of Île de la Cité island and the Notre-Dame Cathedral. The cathedral was under restoration in 2022 following the devastating 2019 fire. This Gothic masterpiece, begun in 1163, has survived revolution, war, and flame, its twin towers standing sentinel over Paris for over 850 years. The restored cathedral was re-opened in December 2024.

The famous bouquinistes, Paris’s iconic secondhand booksellers, line the riverbanks with their distinctive green boxes. This UNESCO World Heritage tradition dates back to the 16th century, with today’s 200-odd sellers continuing the legacy of literary commerce along the Seine.

The marathon takes runners past some of the most iconic bridges of Paris, which are as much a part of the city’s identity as its monuments and museums. The Pont Neuf is Paris’s oldest existing bridge (completed in 1607) despite its name meaning “New Bridge.”

The pedestrian-only Pont des Arts, originally built in 1804 during Napoleon’s time, offers one of the most romantic views in Paris – the perfect vantage point to watch sunset over the Seine with the Institut de France on one end and the Louvre on the other.

Perhaps the most ornate of Paris’s bridges is the Pont Alexandre III, built for the 1900 World’s Fair and named after the Russian Tsar. The bridge exemplifies the Belle Époque period’s grandeur and remains one of the most elaborately decorated bridges in Paris.

The route passes the Grand Palais, built for the Universal Exposition of 1900. This Beaux-Arts masterpiece, crowned by its massive glass roof, hosts art exhibitions and cultural events beneath its steel and glass canopy.

The stretch of the Seine between Pont de l’Alma and Pont d’Iéna offers one of the most breathtaking urban running experiences in the world. As marathon runners make their way along the right bank, they’re treated to an unforgettable view of the Eiffel Tower rising majestically on their left, its iron lattice frame seeming to float above the trees of the Champ de Mars. This 1,083-foot iron lattice tower, initially criticized by many Parisians, has become the city’s most recognizable symbol since its completion in 1889.

This portion of the course follows the historic Port de la Conférence, where pleasure boats and bateaux mouches glide by on the Seine’s waters. The perspective of the Eiffel Tower gradually shifts as runners progress, offering ever-changing views of Gustave Eiffel’s masterpiece. This stretch is particularly poignant for runners as it marks roughly the 32-kilometer point of the marathon – a challenging moment when the iconic view of Paris’s most famous monument provides a much-needed boost of inspiration to carry them through the final kilometers.

Final Stretch

At Boulevard d’Exelmans, the course turns right away from the Seine and heads toward Porte d’Auteil, where it makes a left and runs along Roland-Garros tennis complex. Roland-Garros, named after the pioneering French aviator, has been home to the French Open tennis tournament since 1928,. The complex’s distinctive red clay courts have challenged the world’s greatest tennis players for nearly a century.

Runners enter the Bois de Boulogne, once a royal hunting ground, now Paris’s second-largest public park. Near its edge sits the Musée Marmottan Monet, housing the world’s largest collection of Monet’s works, including the painting that gave Impressionism its name: “Impression, Soleil Levant.”

The route pays tribute to Victor Hugo near its end, passing through Place Victor Hugo. The celebrated author of “Les Misérables” and “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame” captured Paris’s soul in his writings, much as this marathon captures its spirit in 26.2 miles.

The Final Sprint

The last 195 meters along Avenue Foch bring runners to their triumphant finish, where they receive their hard-earned medals. The runners’ village offers a chance to rest and reflect, with the Arc de Triomphe providing a fitting backdrop to this journey through the City of Light’s rich history and architectural splendor.

Running the Paris Marathon isn’t just about covering the distance – it’s about traveling through time, passing centuries of history with each stride, and experiencing the city’s grandeur in a uniquely intimate way. Every kilometer tells a story, every landmark holds a memory, and every finisher becomes part of Paris’s continuing narrative.

Join the Adventure

If you’re inspired to be part of this race in the future, registration details for the Schneider Electric Paris Marathon can be found on their official website. It is a unique opportunity to experience Paris in a completely new way.

Our Media Gallery

See below a few videos and pictures from our participation in the Schneider Electric Paris Marathon, April 3, 2022.