Beaujolais Marathon
If you have questions regarding Marathon Tours & Travel’s Beaujolais Marathon Packages please: EMAIL OUR TRIP DESIGNER or CALL 617-242-7845
The Beaujolais Marathon, also known as the Marathon International du Beaujolais, is a unique and festive running event held annually in the Beaujolais region of France. It’s known for its combination of sporting challenge and lively celebration, featuring wine tastings, gourmet food, and musical entertainment along the course.
We offer an exclusive five-night package, which includes accommodations in Lyon, a welcome drink, , a guided tour of Lyon and a foodie tour of Halles de Lyon with an English speaking guide, private transfers, a guided tour of Beaujolais with a wine tasting and expo visit, a pasta party in Lyon, Nuit du Marathon festive dinner, a recuperation walk in Pierres Dorees region, an official t-shirt, and guaranteed race entry.
Join runners from around the world and experience a fun, unique, and unforgettable race in the heart of Beaujolais.
Meals Included
Daily breakfasts & select meals (see Itinerary)
Guide
Hosted on-site by Marathon Tours & Travel
Accommodation
Excellent five nights' accommodation
Entry
Guaranteed race entry - Additional Cost
Celebration Party
Post-race celebration party
Excursions
Selection of tours & sightseeing opportunities
A Helping Hand
Motorcoach transportation to all activities
Travel Package Information
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Itinerary
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Wednesday, November 19 – Arrival in Lyon
Welcome to France! Arrive at Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS) and transfer independently to the Intercontinental Lyon – Hôtel Dieu, your home for the next five nights. Unwind and settle in before joining us this evening for a Welcome Reception, where you’ll meet fellow runners and supporters.
Overnight at Intercontinental Lyon
Thursday, November 20 – Full-Day Tour: Lyon City & Beaujolais Wine Experience
After breakfast, you will meet with your English-speaking guide and depart for a 2-hour walking tour. Discover Bellecour square, then cross the Saone River to reach the Renaissance district of Vieux Lyon. The vintage funicular will bring you up Fourviere Hill in a fun way, where you will visit Fourviere Basilica. Then you will have a walk down the rosary garden to reach Vieux Lyon. Discover the narrow cobblestone streets and Renaissance buildings of Vieux Lyon and its typical “traboules”, passageways through the buildings used by the silk-workers. Your tour will end at the impressive Saint Jean Cathedral with its astronomical clock.
Following this, embark on a coach for a short transfer to the covered market of Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, where you will have a food tour. By small groups, your guide will give explanations on the specialties of Lyon, considered as the capital of gastronomy in France. You will have several tastings of cold meat, cheese, a warm cassolette, wine, delicacies, and chocolate.
Following this, you will transfer back to your hotel and have an afternoon and evening at your leisure. Overnight at Intercontinental Lyon
(Breakfast Included)
Friday, November 21 – Free Day & Pre-Race Pasta Party
After breakfast, enjoy a morning shakeout run on the riverbanks.
This morning, we will transfer to the Marathon Expo in Villefranche sur Saone where you will collect your race bib. It will give you the opportunity to visit the booths and immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere of the event. You will have free time for lunch in Villefranche city center. After lunch, meet your guide for a tour on the Beaujolais wine route. He will explain the work in the vineyards, the history, and the rich traditions of the region.
Afterwards, stop in a renowned domain dating from the middle of the 19th century, one of the most important estates in the Beaujolais region. At the bottom of Mount Brouilly, the refined and privileged setting of the chateau is in the spirit of the great wine houses. You will discover the history of the chateau, stroll through the vineyards, admire the cedar grove and the view of Mont Brouilly. Then you will reach the cuvage and the vaulted cellars for an explanation of the wines and a tasting of four wines.
We then will transfer back to Lyon. This evening will be our Pasta Party – a unique opportunity to mingle with your runners and carb-load your evening! Overnight at Intercontinental Lyon
(Breakfast and Dinner included)
Saturday, November 22 – Race Day: Marathon International du Beaujolais
It’s race day! An early morning transfer will take you to the start line of the Marathon International du Beaujolais, beginning at 8:30 AM.
Join the fun and dress up—over 90% of runners wear costumes, making this marathon one of the most festive in the world! After running through scenic vineyards, villages, and wine stops, return to Lyon in the afternoon.
In the evening, we will transfer from your hotel to ParcExpo Villefranche for the “Beaujolais Night: Time to Celebrate!” The Beaujolais Night is a great festive post-race party, including a seated dinner, entertainment, and a lot of surprises throughout the evening!
Following this will be a transfer back to the hotel. Overnight at Intercontinental Lyon
(Breakfast and Dinner included)
Sunday, November 23 – Lyon Foodie Tour
After breakfast, transfer to the Golden Stones region, where you will have a recuperation walk of 8K to discover this unique territory. Here, the villages have been built with the local yellow ochre limestone, giving fantastic colors in the sun.
The walk ends in the medieval village of Oingt, officially classified as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France. Craftsmen and artists live all year round in the village, which offers a fantastic panorama over the valley. A cellar at the entrance of the village offers a range of local wines to buy or taste. Picnic lunch provided.
This afternoon we will transfer back to Lyon for an afternoon and night at your leisure.
(Breakfast and Lunch included)
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Packages & Rates
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Beaujolais Marathon Five-Night Package | November 19 – 24, 2025
Features:
- Five nights Accommodation at the Intercontinental Lyon 5*
- City Taxes
- Daily Breakfast
- Welcome drink
- Guided tour Lyon + Foodie tour Halles de Lyon with an English-speaking guide
- Private transfer to/from Halles de Lyon
- Guided tour Beaujolais with wine tasting and Expo visit on Day 3
- Pasta Party in Lyon on Day 3
- Return transfer to Beaujolais on Day 4 (race day)
- Nuit du Marathon festive dinner with return transfer
- Recuperation walk in Pierres Dorées region on Day 5, return transfer
& picnic lunch included - Official T-shirt
- Guaranteed Race Entry (separate fee)
Not Included in package price:
- Meals unless noted above
- Gratuities and tips
- Incidentals
- Travel insurance
- Airfare to/from Beaujolais
Age Requirement:
Travelers must be 21 years old or older to participate in this tour package.
Rates (all prices per person and in US dollars)
Additional Nights Available Upon Request
Beaujolais Marathon Package Double Occupancy Single Occupancy Five-Night Package $3165 per person $4710 Optional Add-OnsRace Entry Fee Marathon $115 Half-Marathon $75 13K $50
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Hotels
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Intercontinental Lyon Hotel Dieu
InterContinental Lyon – Hotel Dieu by IHG in Lyon offers a 5-star experience with spa facilities, a fitness center, sun terrace, and a lush garden. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, a modern restaurant, and a stylish Comfortable Amenities: Rooms feature air-conditioning, private bathrooms, bathrobes, and views of landmarks. Additional amenities include minibars, work desks, and soundproofing. The hotel provides private check-in and check-out, a 24-hour front desk, and concierge services.
Dining Options: The restaurant serves French and local cuisines lunch, and dinner.
Right in the heart of Lyon, a few minutes walk from Bellecour Square and Vieux Lyon district, with many bars and restaurants nearby.
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Event Information
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Race Date: November 22, 2025
Race Start Time: 8:30 AM
The Course: The loop course starts and finishes in the center of Pauillac and runs through 59 vineyards along village roads, through chateaux courtyards and rows of ripening grapes. Wine is served at every mile or you may select the more traditional choice of water or electrolyte drink. If you need a little boost at 23 miles, try some white wine with oysters. You will be entertained by 20 musical groups – from string quartets to reggae. With more than 90% of the field in costumes, this event is more live theater than an athletic competition.
Temperature: Average temperatures range between 37F-52F with low humidity.
Guaranteed Entry Procedure: We offer a guaranteed entry when you book our package. An official entry form will be forwarded to you after receipt of a completed tour application form and deposit.
Medical Certificate: Info TBD
Course Time Limit: There is a 7 hour time limit for the full marathon, 4 hours for the half, and TBD for the 13k
Number Pickup: You will collect your race pack during our expo visit
Eligibility: All runners must be at least 21 years of age on race day.
Difficulty: Easy
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Registration & Booking
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Rates: Land Prices may change due to currency fluctuations.
Reservations and Payments: A completed tour application together with a deposit of $400 per person must be received before confirming your reservations. Final payment must be received before September 22, 2025. Any final payments received after September 22, 2025 will be charged a $50 late payment fee.
Cancellations: All payments, including your deposit, are non-refundable and non-transferrable. Non-transferrable includes applying your balance to another person, another year or another trip. Should you cancel for any reason, you will forfeit your trip investment. Therefore, travel insurance for every trip is highly recommended. All cancellations must be received in writing. Race entry fees are non-refundable once purchased.
Not included in price: All items not specifically listed under tour features. Transfers from the train station to the hotel. A completed entry form must be returned to Marathon Tours by every runner with the guaranteed entry fee. A doctor’s note must also be sent stating that you are healthy enough to run a marathon. This is required by French law.
Insurance: For your protection, trip cancellation, baggage, health and accident insurance is highly recommended for all participants. However, no representation or description of the insurance made by our staff constitutes a binding assurance or promise about the insurance.
Travel Insurance for U.S. Residents
Travel Insurance for Canadian ResidentsSecurity Policy: Marathon Tours & Travel’s security policy requires that anyone staying in our room block must be registered as part of our package. If a registered client attempts to house a non-registered guest and /or invite them to attend any of our scheduled activities, the registered guest’s tour package will be forfeited and parties may be denied access to future tours. Please note that no exceptions will be made as this policy will be strictly enforced.
Responsibility: These tours are operated by Marathon Tours, Inc. of Chelsea, MA who acts only as an agent for the passenger to the companies offering such services and assumes no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity caused by any reason whatsoever by any party offering such services. All terms and conditions offered are governed by the laws of Massachusetts. The right is reserved to cancel the tour prior to departure with a refund, less applicable credit card and processing fees, made as full settlement to the passenger. The right is reserved by Marathon Tours, Inc. to deny acceptance of a booking application by any person. Marathon Tours, Inc. may make any changes or alterations in the itinerary as it deems necessary for the proper handling of the tour. The sole responsibility of any airline used is limited to that set out in the passenger contract evidenced by the ticket. The airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time that the passengers are not on board their aircraft.
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Recommended Resources
Meet the Reps
Patrick DiMatteo
Trip Designer
Patrick DiMatteo
Trip Designer
Patrick joined the Marathon Tours & Travel team after receiving his Master of Business Administration degree from Grand Canyon University. While earning his degree, he spent a year in the Harvard University athletic department working in marketing and fan engagement. Born and raised in New Jersey, Patrick also spent time working in the athletic departments of both Princeton and Monmouth University in similar roles. Patrick is a graduate of William Paterson University of New Jersey with a B.A. in Sport Management and Business Administration and has a passion for both running and sports alike. He hopes to combine his passion of travel and running with his business acumen to create incredible experiences for runners around the world.
