Paris Marathon 2026 Turns Your Finisher Medal Into a Citywide VIP Pass
© ASOMore than 60,000 runners will line up for the 2026 Paris Marathon on Sunday, April 12. But did you know your finisher medal can help you keep the experience going, with access to a host of perks and freebies? Marathons.com explains how “La Médaille qui Régale” works and how to make the most of it.
Having that famous piece of metal placed around your neck after the race is a huge achievement for any runner. Some are already planning to display it proudly next to their bib, show it off on social media or take it into the office. Following a long-standing tradition in New York, the Paris Marathon has decided that once you cross the finish-line arch, the celebration should continue throughout the city. That celebratory spirit comes to life through perks at some of the capital’s trendiest spots, simply by proudly showing your official medal. With “La Médaille qui Régale,” Parisian businesses and museums are invited to join the festivities by offering finishers special deals on race day and the following day.
A medal that doubles as a VIP pass
Few marathoners know it, but the “La Médaille qui Régale” campaign lets participants extend the experience on race day and the day after. By presenting their prized memento, runners can visit participating businesses and celebrate their performance. Hard-earned through 26.2 miles of racing, the medal becomes a passport to eat, drink and recover, giving runners the chance to celebrate their marathon properly. The campaign is organized by the race organizers to make this already extraordinary day even more memorable.
A sticker in the window will show that a business, restaurant or café is taking part. Each participating Parisian venue can create its own offer and open its doors to celebrate all the runners. Every year, several dozen, and sometimes hundreds, of businesses get involved.
Extending the reward
© ASOThe idea is simple: the reward is no longer just a symbolic souvenir. It becomes a useful pass, giving runners privileged access to a range of offers. It is a way to congratulate marathoners and keep the experience going with an unforgettable post-race celebration. The aftermath of the marathon becomes almost as important as the event itself. The goal is twofold: to celebrate the runners and bring Parisian neighborhoods to life after the race by putting local businesses at the heart of the festivities.
Discounts, special menus, complimentary drinks and desserts, recovery offers: plenty of venues will welcome marathoners for a sociable post-race experience. Anything related to nutrition and post-race care tends to be especially popular. It is the perfect way to keep the party going with friends, family or fellow runners met along the way.
It is also a great opportunity for businesses to raise their profile, help animate local neighborhoods and connect with runners and their supporters. All they have to do is fill out an application form to be listed on the official Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris website.
Where to look
The official list of participating venues will be published in early April. The neighborhoods around the finish on Avenue Foch often include businesses keen to take part in this kind of event. Saint-Germain is a good example. Classic Parisian spots within walking distance are regularly popular on the occasion. Traditional restaurants, brunch spots, international cuisine, tapas bars, crêperies and ice-cream shops make the area rich in places to refuel and relax. Bakeries, bars, sports stores, spas and hotels sometimes join in too.
A genuine urban activation strategy, “La Médaille qui Régale” aims to showcase the day’s winners, their supporters and local businesses, while creating a festive atmosphere in the capital. With more than 60,000 participants and thousands of spectators, the event represents a major economic opportunity for professionals in tourism and hospitality.
Our pick of eight participating venues
Restaurant: Alimento (9 Rue de Pontoise). All-you-can-eat tiramisu with a meal.
Bar: Simple Coffee Paris (78 rue des Martyrs). 20% off drinks and viennoiseries or pastries.
Café: Café Isaka (9 rue Thérèse). Buy one scoop of ice cream and get one free.
Bakery/pastry shop: Le Bab, Bar à Brioches (8 rue La Boétie). 50% off a brioche, plus a complimentary lemonade.
Specialist retailer: Apnée (9 rue francaise). A collagen and dietary supplement brand. Complimentary collagen drink.
Museum: Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris (11, Avenue du Président Wilson). Special €15 admission to the Lee Miller exhibition, on April 12 only.
Activity: Paris en Mobylette (Impasse de la Gaîté). 20% off the ride.
Quiz Room – Bonne nouvelle (38 Rue d’Hauteville). Two complimentary places for all finishers at the Quiz Room venue of their choice, for any game or session.
The rise of the multifunctional medal
The Paris Marathon is not the only major race to offer this kind of initiative. New York City Marathon runners can also use their medal to claim perks at restaurants or access pre-race activations. The options are varied and plentiful, including a Lululemon workshop where runners can have their medal engraved, as well as free entry to museums and iconic city viewpoints.
Restaurants even hand out burgers and cupcakes. Runners can also pick up a free copy of The New York Times, which includes the names of all the race’s finishers. Some participants estimate that their prized medal saves them several hundred dollars.
For the Paris Marathon, the finisher medal is more than a reward for running 42.195 km. “La Médaille qui Régale” becomes an exclusive pass to keep the event going in the capital, at businesses across the city and well beyond the finish line.
➜ Discover all the participating venues in “La Médaille qui Régale”