France’s Most Popular Marathons Ranked by Finisher Numbers

Every year, tens of thousands of runners pin on a bib to experience the unique challenge of the marathon. While the iconic distance draws both seasoned enthusiasts and curious newcomers, not every marathon enjoys the same level of popularity. From major cities and tourist destinations to iconic courses, some events consistently attract huge fields. Here is the ranking of French marathons that recorded the highest number of finishers in their 2024 and 2025 editions. It offers a snapshot of the vitality and popularity of these races, while perhaps helping you identify your next challenge. The ranking is updated after each edition, as soon as the results are available.

12. Marathon Vert de Rennes (2,841)

11. Run in Lyon (3,742)

In 2024, 3,742 runners completed the full marathon distance at Run in Lyon. It is one of France’s major autumn running events, staged in a lively urban setting. Starting and finishing on the banks of the Rhône, the loop course offers an immersive tour of vibrant Lyon and its iconic neighbourhoods. Open to elite athletes and recreational runners alike, the event features several race formats. A true celebration of running, it attracts thousands of participants every year in search of performance and camaraderie.

10. Marathon du Beaujolais (3,774)

It may not produce record-breaking times, but the Marathon du Beaujolais certainly delivers on atmosphere. Spread across a festive weekend, this one-of-a-kind event turns the Beaujolais wine roads into a playground where sporting achievement and celebration go hand in hand. With villages, châteaux, gourmet aid stations, wine included, and bands scattered along the course, the experience is every bit as rich as the scenery is beautiful. Here, people run for the fun, the shared experience and the wonderfully wild atmosphere that makes it one of France’s most popular marathons. At the latest edition, 3,774 runners completed the 42.195 km course.

9. Marathon d’Annecy (3,875)

Annecy needs no introduction. The Venice of the Alps attracts tens of thousands of tourists every year. A true sporting hub, the Haute-Savoie prefecture hosts a wide range of sporting events. The Marathon d’Annecy is one of them and usually takes place in April. Renowned for its stunning course along the shores of one of France’s most beautiful lakes, the event saw 3,875 runners finish in 2024.

8. Marathon Côte d’Amour (4,289)

Making its return in 2024, the Marathon Côte d’Amour takes seventh place in this top 10 of France’s most popular marathons, with 4,289 finishers. Held at an ideal time of year in autumn, the race offers runners good conditions for a personal best. The course is relatively flat, with less than 110 m of elevation gain, and highly scenic. The field runs along the Atlantic coast, past salt marshes and coastal villages in the heart of the Guérande peninsula.

7. Marathon de Nantes (4,532)

6. Marathon de la Liberté (4,698)

For runners who like to combine running with history, the Marathon de la Liberté in Caen is the ideal race. It is one of Normandy’s iconic events, paying tribute to the Battle of Normandy and D-Day. The race offers a unique experience and attracts several thousand runners every year. In 2025, 4,698 runners completed the course.

5. Toulouse Métropole Run Expérience (5,720)

For its inaugural edition in 2024, the Toulouse Métropole Run Expérience brought together nearly 30,000 runners across all formats. On the marathon, 5,720 runners crossed the finish line. That figure put the race high in the rankings from its very first edition. The Toulouse Métropole Run Expérience is a full weekend of festivities, with several race formats to suit every kind of runner.

4. Marathon de La Rochelle (7,182)

The Marathon de La Rochelle drew a strong field, with 7,182 finishers in 2024. The race was first held in 1991. The Marathon de La Rochelle has become hugely popular, particularly because its very flat course is ideal for fast times. Many French runners target the event as they chase a personal best over the marathon distance. Nearly 5% of finishers broke three hours at the latest edition.

3. Marathon des Châteaux du Médoc (7,547)

This is a marathon that attracts runners not for its course profile, but for its aid stations. At the 2024 edition, 7,547 runners made it to the finish. The Marathon du Médoc stands out for its originality. The distance is official enough, but the aid stations are a different story. Around 20 wine tastings feature on the programme, along with andouillette, oysters and cheese, costumes, brass bands and more. In short, while the Marathon du Médoc may not top this ranking, it is surely number one among France’s party marathons.

2. Marathon de Nice-Cannes (8,511)

In 2024, the Marathon de Nice-Cannes welcomed 8,511 finishers. With postcard scenery and an exceptionally fast course, featuring just 70 m of elevation gain, the Marathon de Nice-Cannes attracts runners in large numbers. The biggest running event in the Alpes-Maritimes has steadily established itself as France’s second most popular marathon.

1. Le Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris (54,175)

With 54,175 finishers in 2024, the Marathon de Paris is by far France’s most popular marathon. That comes as no surprise when you consider that the Marathon de Paris is one of the biggest marathons on the planet. For many running enthusiasts, taking on the classic distance in the capital is a lifelong goal: 42.195 km along Paris’s grandest avenues, passing some of the city’s most famous landmarks.

From the quays of Lyon to the avenues of Paris, via the festive roads of Beaujolais and the shores of Lake Annecy, these ten marathons reflect French runners’ enduring passion for the classic distance. Behind the numbers are countless personal stories, records broken and challenges overcome, as well as shared emotions and unforgettable moments. While the Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris leads the ranking by a wide margin, other races win runners over with their atmosphere, scenery or originality.

✔ Head to finishers.com, the go-to site for discovering, comparing and choosing your next race. Lace up!