The Paris Marathon coincides with my visit. How does that affect using the Metro system when I would need to cross the street to get to the Metro and that street is on the path of the Marathon? Just any general advice for getting around the city that Saturday would be helpful.
Posted by
New York State, US
26 posts
I had not even thought to check the date until you said something. We will be there that weekend as well and I REALLY wish I was there to run the marathon!!
Anyway, to be clear the race is Sunday morning not Saturday. Here is the race website: https://www.schneiderelectricparismarathon.com/en/ It includes a course map so you can see where the runners will be. The race starts just after 8am and there is a pretty tight time cut-off for this race (5:40) so I expect the center city to clear fairly quickly. It also looks like some of the course is down on that walkway (that used to be a road) by the Seine so that will help. They are typically very efficient in reopening roads in big city marathons.
Maybe someone else with more experience will chime in (I've been to Paris multiple times but am far from an expert on metro entrance locations) but typically there is more than one entrance to a particular stop. Of course it depends on exactly what your plans are for the day but I don't think you'll have too much trouble. You can probably figure this out by looking at maps (both street/metro maps and the course map) ahead of time. On the metro itself, you might encounter sweaty, tired people who may or not be walking funny (Oh wait that was me on the DC metro after my last marathon!).
Honestly I was in London last year on their marathon day and other than being able to see the runners from the train, we wouldn't have even known it was happening.
Posted by
Napa, CA
3580 posts
Usually the metro can be entered from either side of the street.. Races usually start very early, so the marathon may be over before you leave your hotel. Get advice at your hotel.
Posted by
OP
Dallas, Texas
35 posts
Thanks for the replies. Glad you caught it was Sunday, not Saturday!
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
"Honestly I was in London last year on their marathon day and other than being able to see the runners from the train, we wouldn't have even known it was happening."
It's similar in New York. Unless you're trying to cross a street that is part of the marathon course, you would never know it was on. On marathon day, I make sure to take the subway everywhere, so I don't get stuck in traffic. Buses are rerouted, and taxis often have to take very roundabout ways to get places.
I assume Paris will be similar. As long as you can take the metro, and are not trying to cross streets where the runners are, you'll probably be fine. Even in a metro station is inaccessible, there should be another one close by, that you may have to use instead.