Villefranche-sur-Saone, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
The Marathon du Beaujolais draws approximately 4,000 finishers each November on a wine-country road in Villefranche-sur-Saone, France. It is one of France's most theatrical marathons, famous for costumes, music, and Beaujolais hospitality. The route passes vineyards, Beaujolais villages, chateaux, and festive wine-country aid stations. Vineyards, Beaujolais villages, and festive wine-country aid stations unfold across rollers that match the region's celebrated hillside terroir.
Marathon du Beaujolais is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
The next Marathon du Beaujolais is scheduled for Sunday, 1 November 2026 with a 9:00 am start. The certified course covers 42.195 km (26.2 miles) with 150 m of climbing on a rolling with moderate climbs layout.
Starts in Fleurie and finishes in Villefranche-sur-Saone. The route passes vineyards, Beaujolais villages, chateaux, and festive wine-country aid stations. Vineyard rollers between crus shape the middle miles, with wine-country revelers cheering at chateau aid stations.
The Marathon du Beaujolais course is rolling with moderate climbs over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 150 metres of climbing and 140 metres of descent, with a net climb of 10 metres from start to finish.
The Marathon du Beaujolais uses open registration at marathondubeaujolais.org that routinely sells out for the November race through the Beaujolais villages course. Sign-up typically opens early in the year and the festive field of roughly 4,000 runners fills quickly. International runners apply through the same portal with no qualifying time required.
Last updated 18 July 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Other races closest to Villefranche-sur-Saone.
The Lyon Marathon draws approximately 2,000 finishers on an urban road in Lyon, France. The course starts and finishes at Place Bellecour. The route crosses the Rhône and Saône rivers, passing Vieux Lyon and the Confluence district. Mostly flat with short bridge climbs.
Next race: Sunday, 4 October 2026
The Marathon du Lac d'Annecy runs around one of Europe's cleanest alpine lakes, attracting about 3,500 runners each April. The course offers turquoise lake views, alpine peaks, and the medieval Annecy old town. April mountain-lake weather and a largely flat lakeside path make it one of France's most beautiful marathons.
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Next race: Saturday, 8 May 2027
The Grenoble Marathon draws approximately 2,500 finishers each April through the Alpine capital at the confluence of the Isère and Drac rivers. The course passes the Bastille fortress cable-car, the Paul Mistral park, and the Olympic legacy venues from the 1968 Winter Games. April's alpine spring and flat valley-floor terrain make it one of France's most mountain-framed city marathons.
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The Lausanne Marathon attracts about 4,500 finishers each October along Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) with views of the French Alps across the water. The course passes the Olympic Museum, the Ouchy waterfront, and the Lavaux vineyard terraces. October autumn light on the lake makes it one of Switzerland's most scenic marathons.
Next race: Sunday, 25 October 2026
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