IRONMAN, the global leader in middle and long-distance triathlon, today announced that the historic city of Versailles will serve as the newest host of an IRONMAN® 70.3® triathlon in France. Home to Château de Versailles (Palace of Versailles), one of the world’s most famous royal residences, the city provides a spectacular and culturally rich backdrop for the event.
Château de Versailles?is one of the most visited attractions in France welcoming 8.2 million visitors annually. Renowned for the Hall of Mirrors and its meticulously designed geometric gardens, the Palace exemplifies the grandeur of French Baroque architecture and royal luxury. Together, these elements stand as symbols of French art de vivre and the nation’s long-standing pursuit of excellence in art, design, and refinement.
Athletes will embark on this extraordinary journey, beginning with a truly iconic swim in the historic ‘Pièce d'eau des Suisses’ (‘The Pond of the Swiss’) - a vast 13-hectare basin dug between 1679 and 1682 by a regiment of Swiss Guards - with the majestic Palace of Versailles as their backdrop. The one-loop rolling bike course will take athletes through the City of Versailles and the surrounding areas, including the picturesque villages of the Chevreuse Valley. For the run portion, athletes will return to the Pièce d'eau des Suisses and travel through the Potager du Roi (‘King’s Kitchen Garden’) famously created for King Louis XIV to be served the most exquisite fruit and vegetables, before running along the storied streets of Versailles, culminating with a spectacular finish on the ‘Avenue de Paris’ (‘Paris Avenue’), directly in front of the Palace.
Versailles, which is situated 15-minutes by train from capital city, Paris, is set to be popular with local Parisians along with international athletes wanting to race at a standout location. With average temperatures of around 25°C in July, the race will also offer favourable conditions.
The 2026 French IRONMAN® and IRONMAN 70.3 season showcases some of the country’s most iconic destinations, having become one of the most popular countries in the world for athletes to race. The season kicks off with IRONMAN 70.3 Aix-en-Provence triathlon on 17 May and is then followed by the new IRONMAN Tours Metropole-Loire Valley triathlon on 14 June. Three consecutive race weekends will kick off with IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 Nice. The following weekend, IRONMAN 70.3 Les Sables d’Olonne-Vendée triathlon returns to the popular seaside resort after being held as a full-distance IRONMAN race in 2025. The series then continues with the newest addition to the calendar, IRONMAN 70.3 Versailles triathlon, taking place in mid July. The French race season will finish on 23 August with the IRONMAN 70.3 Vichy and the return of IRONMAN Vichy triathlons, before the eyes of the triathlon world once again turn to Nice for the 2026 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship on 12 and 13 September.
The jam-packed French season is testament to the growth of triathlon in France. As one of the fastest growing markets, France recently overtook Germany as the second largest triathlon market in Europe. Last year, around 14,500 French athletes registered to race an IRONMAN or an IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon - a 25% increase on 2024. For the first time in history, by the end of 2025, all of the 2026 IRONMAN & IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon races were sold out for the French region.
Thibault Vellard, Regional Director of the South-West & Middle-East said: “We have long had our sights set on Versailles as a host venue, with its proximity to Paris combined with its unique heritage and breathtaking setting, meeting our ambition to deliver premier experiences for our athletes. We have a strong legacy of racing in the south and west of France and we are excited to finally give our athletes the opportunity to race near Paris in such an iconic destination like Versailles. I would like to thank the City and the Château de Versailles for their collaboration, we are all really excited about this new race. Triathlon in France is at a really exciting place at the moment, and with all of our races for the 2026 season already sold out, we encourage athletes to act fast if they plan on being part of this extraordinary new race,” he added.
IRONMAN Europe, Middle East and Africa Managing Director, Thomas Veje Olsen said: “In recent years the appetite for triathlon racing in France has grown tremendously with France already home to some of the most beautiful and challenging race destinations globally. Adding a presence in one of the world’s most iconic destinations in Versailles is truly exciting for us as organisers and will be an incredibly special experience for our athletes.”
“Demand for IRONMAN 70.3 races in Europe is at an all-time high with 26 IRONMAN 70.3 events for this season already sold out, including all spring races. The addition of IRONMAN 70.3 Versailles is welcome news for athletes who thought they had missed the opportunity to race in Europe this summer. We are anticipating a lot of excitement around Versailles, especially amongst first-timers, those looking to add an extra reason to their season, and athletes preparing for an IRONMAN race later in the year,” he added.
A spokesperson for the City of Versailles said: “The City of Versailles is delighted to welcome this IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon. The event will showcase, to a global audience, some of the most iconic landmarks of Versailles: its Château, the Pièce d’Eau des Suisses, the Potager du Roi, the Avenue de Paris, and its historic districts. This exceptional urban and landscaped heritage, shaped by Louis XIV and André Le Nôtre, is unique in the world and has inspired cities such as Washington and Saint Petersburg. Even today, it remains a model for addressing a major contemporary urban challenge: restoring nature to the heart of the city. A modern and sport-oriented city, Versailles is home to 62 sports clubs and more than 15,000 registered athletes.”
Christophe Leribault, president of château de Versailles said: "Today, the Château de Versailles enjoys exceptional renown, thanks to the enhancement of its historical and living heritage, and to the prominent place given to creation and the performing arts. Dozens of expert craftsmen and dedicated employees ply their trades to maintain the monumental Estate. I am delighted that Versailles is the iconic setting for the IRONMAN 70.3 race. This demanding event will push each athlete to their limits, inspiring them to give their very best. This same commitment is shared by our teams every day."
For more information on the IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 brands and global event series, visit www.ironman.com.