Cannes to Nice, with the sea beside you
This is a point-to-point race, and that shapes the whole day. The French Riviera Marathon Nice-Cannes starts in Cannes and finishes in Nice, so runners cover the full 42.195 km between two cities instead of looping back to where they started. The coastline that links them is the Mediterranean shore of the Alpes-Maritimes, with the Baie des Anges waiting at the Nice end.
The 2026 edition takes place on Sunday, November 8, 2026. It belongs to France’s major autumn marathon circuit, and it draws runners who want a flat-ish coastal race late in the season, when the summer heat has gone from the Riviera.
The race and the route
The direction matters for practical reasons. Runners start in Cannes, so most of them need to be in Cannes on race morning. Their families and friends usually head to Nice to meet them at the finish.
Between the two cities, the coast passes the towns of Golfe-Juan, Antibes, Villeneuve-Loubet, Cagnes-sur-Mer and Saint-Laurent-du-Var. The organiser publishes the exact course map on the race’s official site, with the start area, the aid stations and the finish zone in Nice.
Bibs, registration and race weekend
A marathon has no tickets in the concert sense. “Tickets” here means a race entry, and the entry gets you a bib. The organiser runs registration through the race’s official site. That is also where entry categories and fees are posted, along with any relay or shorter-format options for the edition.
Big French road races usually need a few documents to issue a bib:
- A valid medical certificate covering competitive running, or a French athletics federation licence
- Photo ID matching the registration name
- The registration confirmation, on paper or on a phone
Runners usually collect bibs at a race expo in the days before the start. The official site gives the expo’s location and opening times.
Getting between Cannes and Nice
The coastal railway does most of the work on race weekend. Regional TER trains run along the shore between Cannes station and Nice-Ville, stopping at Antibes and other coastal towns on the way. Many runners stay in Nice and take the train to Cannes on race morning. Others sleep in Cannes and ride back to Nice once they have finished.
Nice Côte d’Azur Airport sits on the western edge of Nice, right beside the Promenade des Anglais. Tram Line 2 links the airport terminals with the city centre and the port. For anyone flying in, that makes the airport an easy first stop before the weekend.
Coastal roads close on a marathon Sunday. Driving between the two cities that morning is slow, which is why most spectators use the train instead.
Cheering on a French race morning
Spectators shout “Allez !” all day. Fans add the runner’s first name when it is printed on the bib, or the name of their club. It costs nothing, and runners deep into the second half really do notice it.
A few habits make race morning smoother:
- Pick one or two spots. The trains run alongside the course, so supporters often watch in one coastal town and then ride ahead to the Nice finish.
- Pay by card or phone. Contactless payment is normal in Riviera cafés and bakeries. A few coins still help at small kiosks.
- Expect a quiet Sunday. In France many shops close on Sundays. Boulangeries usually open in the morning, so coffee and a croissant at the roadside are easy to find.
- Agree a meeting point. Finish areas fill up and phone signal near a big crowd can be patchy. Families usually choose a landmark near the Nice finish ahead of time.
After the finish in Nice
Nice gives tired legs plenty of flat ground to recover on. The Promenade des Anglais runs for kilometres along the Baie des Anges. Its blue chairs face the water and the pebble beach sits below.
Just inland, the narrow lanes of Vieux Nice (the old town) lead to the Cours Saleya market. Socca, the chickpea pancake, is sold hot from the griddle there. Castle Hill (Colline du Château) rises at the eastern end of the bay. Its stairs give a view back over the coast you have just come along, or a good reason to wait a day before climbing.
Most runners stay at least the Sunday night. They usually book rooms near Nice-Ville station or close to the seafront, so the finish, the train and dinner are all within walking distance.
Frequently asked questions
When is the French Riviera Marathon Nice-Cannes in 2026?
It takes place on Sunday, November 8, 2026. The race runs point to point from Cannes to Nice along the Côte d'Azur coast.
Where does the marathon start and finish?
This edition starts in Cannes and finishes in Nice. The organiser's official site has the course map, including the exact start and finish zones.
How do I register or get a bib?
Registration goes through the race's official site, which also lists the entry fees. French road races usually ask for a medical certificate covering competitive running, or a French athletics licence. Runners normally collect their bibs at the pre-race expo.
How do runners and spectators travel between Cannes and Nice?
Most use the regional TER trains that run along the coast between Cannes and Nice-Ville, stopping at Antibes and other towns. Coastal roads close on race morning, so driving is slow.
What is there to do in Nice after the race?
You can walk the Promenade des Anglais or try socca at the Cours Saleya market in Vieux Nice. The climb up Castle Hill gives a view over the Baie des Anges.
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