Le Marathon Médiéval de Seine-et-Marne

Hear ye, hear ye, runner! 🚨 Strap on those shoes, Seine-et-Marne invites you to a feast of pavement and history 🏰.

If you’re after an experience that’s anything but ordinary, the Medieval Marathon of Seine-et-Marne is the challenge you need to time-travel without DeLorean 🛻. Located in Île-de-France, this brand-new event takes place mid-May and offers a range of races for every calf: marathon (42.195 km), relay marathon, half-marathon, the "Knights and Princesses Race" (5 km) and kids’ races. The course of the Medieval Marathon connects two iconic Medieval-age sites: the castle fortress of Blandy-les-Tours and the medieval town of Provins. Rarely has a race offered such a travel through time ⏳, where every stride lets you cross centuries of history 🛡️.

With only 210 mD+ for the queen event 👸, the course is generally rolling, but beware of the false flats that could throw you off if you start too fast 😬. You will leave the majestic donjon of Blandy to reach the ramparts of Provins 🪨, a UNESCO World Heritage site 🌍. Did you know that Provins was famous for its champagne fairs 🍾, a true medieval Wall Street? 😎 It’s a bit like running in a cape-and-sword movie set, minus the stunts (well, we hope) 😂.

The vibe, though, is far from monkish ❌: about 2,000 athletes will sprint into this festive anthill 🥳. Between the troubadours who cheer you on with drums 🥁 and the local-flavored refuels 😋, you’re looking at a well-run event with plenty of flair 🤩. Crossing into the medieval town, amid the roar of passionate supporters 👏, is a climactic moment that’ll make you forget your cotton legs 🤪.

After the race, don’t leave without sampling local specialties 🍽️. We recommend a visit to the Provins’ underground passages, a network of medieval galleries that will keep you cool after the effort 😊. If you’ve still got energy 🪫, go admire the falconry show "Les Aigles des Remparts", an immersive experience that delights both kids and adults 🦅. For a nature-focused family break, the Lumigny Wildlife Park 🐆 is only a thirty-minute drive away. It’s the perfect spot to stroll and spot rare species in a lush setting 🐾. On the palate, you absolutely must try the Niflette 🥧, a local pastry with custard that will make you forget every ache 😇. Don’t leave without grabbing a jar of Provins honey or your rose-flavored sweets, the regional specialty brought back from the Crusades that fills the whole town with fragrance 🌹.

So, shed your chainmail and lace up your knightly boots 🐴 and slip into your running gear to conquer the Medieval Marathon of Seine-et-Marne ! ⚔️