Paris 2024: what if the Olympic marathon passed through the Palace of Versailles?

It is one of the many revolutions of the Olympic Games in Paris 2024. And we must find a setting for it.

According to our information, the next Olympic marathon, open for the first time to the general public, could be run under the old windows of the Sun King, in Versailles (Yvelines).

Many have dreamed of it, it has become a reality since amateur athletes (50% men and 50% women) will take the same route as the Olympic marathon, allowing as many people as possible to follow suit. exception, under the same conditions and on the same day as their idols.

"The sensations will be increased tenfold on a new and original course, which will honor the heritage and history of France and the Paris region", announced the Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (Cojo), chaired by Tony Estanguet.

The organizing committee has kept its word since it is seriously considering a route that would pass in front of the castle of Louis XIV, probably on Sunday August 11, 2024, the last day of the Olympic Games organized in the capital.

The terrible Côte des Gardes ... downhill

If the start will be given on the Pont d'Iéna, in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, the rest of the route could make a long loop through the Hauts-de-Seine and the Yvelines to reach the Place d'Armes of the Palace of Versailles.

The last kilometers would be modeled on the reverse route of the traditional Paris-Versailles (16 kilometers), canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the health crisis.

A course still in reflection but which could therefore include in particular the terrible coast of the Gardes (1 kilometer at 7%), which leads to the observatory of Meudon (Hauts-de-Seine), but… downhill.

Before that, the runners would reach Versailles via Saint-Cloud then Ville-d'Avray (Hauts-de-Seine), with a passage through the Pershing-Lafayette Memorial to enter in front of the castle via the avenues of the United States and of Saint- Cloud.

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After a very telegenic passage in front of the residence of Louis XIV, the route would branch off by the avenue de Paris, theater of the current finish line of the classic pedestrian run at the end of September.

Viroflay and Meudon would then be crossed for a return to Paris by the quays of the Seine.

The arrival will be judged on the Pont d'Iéna, still under the Eiffel Tower.

During the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the royal city will also host the equestrian events (show jumping, dressage, eventing), modern pentathlon and probably part of the route of the road cycling event, which will not fail to impose restrictions in terms of security.

"We are delighted that the label and the Olympic prism pass through our city," says Nicolas Fouquet, deputy mayor in charge of sports at the town hall.

Versailles will be, with Paris, the only city so well represented on the map of the Olympics.

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