Nantes, Pays de la Loire, France
The Marathon de Nantes attracts about 5,000 finishers each November through western France's largest city. The course passes the Château des Ducs de Bretagne, the Loire River, and the Île de Nantes district on flat Atlantic-coast terrain. November crisp weather and a historic city-centre route make it the Loire-Atlantique's premier marathon.
Marathon de Nantes is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
The next Marathon de Nantes is scheduled for Sunday, 8 November 2026 with a 9:00 am start. The certified course covers 42.195 km (26.2 miles) with 50 m of climbing on a very flat layout.
The Marathon de Nantes is a very flat loop starting and finishing on the Île de Nantes, passing the Château des Ducs de Bretagne, the Erdre and Loire rivers, and views toward Trentemoult. The riverside and island stretches are easiest to run smoothly, while the exposed bridge crossings and long urban straights are tougher late on; support is strongest on the Île de Nantes, around the château, and along the Loire embankment.
The Marathon de Nantes course is very flat over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 50 metres of climbing and 50 metres of descent, with minimal net elevation change from start to finish.
The Marathon de Nantes uses open registration at marathon-nantes.fr with no ballot or qualifying standard. Sign-up for the April race typically opens the previous autumn. The Loire river course draws strong western French participation and early registration secures lower tier pricing.
Race-day footage from the course to help you picture the route, crowds, and key landmarks on marathon day.
Last updated 18 July 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Other races closest to Nantes.
The Marathon de la Côte d'Amour runs along the Atlantic coast of Saint-Nazaire and the Loire estuary, drawing about 2,800 finishers each November. The course follows the 'Love Coast' beaches and passes the Saint-Nazaire shipyards and seaside resorts of western France. November Atlantic weather and coastal rolling terrain characterise this Breton-Loire marathon.
Next race: Sunday, 22 November 2026
The Saumur Marathon de la Loire follows the Loire Valley through the famous wine town of Saumur, drawing about 3,000 runners each May. The course passes the Château de Saumur, the Loire River, and the troglodyte cliff dwellings of the valley. May spring weather in the 'Garden of France' creates a scenic château-country marathon.
Next race: Sunday, 9 May 2027
The Marathon de La Rochelle follows the Atlantic coast of Charente-Maritime, drawing about 3,500 runners each November through the historic harbour city. The course passes the Vieux Port, the Les Minimes marina, and the flat coastal roads of the Rochefort peninsula approach. November mild Atlantic weather and sea views make it a popular western France marathon.
Next race: Sunday, 22 November 2026
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