Ironman adds Versailles to its French calendar: see you on July 12, 2026 for a 70.3 at the foot of the Château

IRONMAN continues to expand its presence in France with the announcement of a new major event: the IRONMAN 70.3 Versailles, whose first edition will take place on Sunday, July 12, 2026. A half format (1.9 km swim / 90 km bike / 21.1 km run) that promises a rare setting, in the heart of the city and the Château de Versailles estate, and which further strengthens an already very attractive French calendar. General public registrations will open on Thursday, February 12, 2026.

By Pierre-Maxime Branche
Opening image credit: Château view © EPV_Thomas Garnier

A “postcard” 70.3, between heritage and valleys

It’s hard to imagine a more symbolic setting. Versailles, one of the most famous royal residences in the world, relies on a site of international renown (the Château is one of the most visited places in France) and a clear promise: to offer athletes a sporting… and cultural “timeless” experience.

Regarding the course, the organizer announces a very Versailles-esque staging:

–          swimming in the Pièce d’Eau des Suisses, a vast 13-hectare basin, with the Château as a backdrop;

–          cycling on a unique hilly loop, passing through Versailles and its surroundings, with an announced detour towards the Chevreuse valley and its villages;

–          running via the Pièce d’Eau des Suisses, the King’s Kitchen Garden (Potager du Roi), then the historic streets, with an arrival planned on Avenue de Paris, in line with the Château.

Another logistical argument that could hit the mark: Versailles is 15 minutes by train from Paris, enough to attract a Parisian audience… and facilitate the arrival of international athletes for a weekend. In July, IRONMAN also mentions generally favorable conditions, with average temperatures around 25°C.

Add a destination close to Paris

At IRONMAN, the choice of Versailles is presented as a well-thought-out project to “add a destination close to Paris, complementing an already strong offering in the south and west, and on one of the most iconic sites on the planet,” it is stated.

The City of Versailles, for its part, highlights the opportunity to showcase its major sites (Château, Pièce d’Eau des Suisses, Potager du Roi, Avenue de Paris, etc.) and its positioning as a sporting city. Finally, Christophe Leribault, president of the Château de Versailles, draws a parallel between the demands of the event and those of the teams who maintain the estate daily: a “common commitment, he states, to surpassing oneself and the pursuit of excellence.”

IRONMAN Calendar in France: a very busy summer

The arrival of Versailles is part of a particularly packed 2026 French season, with very attractive events:

–          May 17: IRONMAN 70.3 Aix-en-Provence;

–          June 14: IRONMAN Tours Métropole – Val de Loire (new event);

–          June 28: IRONMAN Nice + IRONMAN 70.3 Nice;

–          July 5: IRONMAN 70.3 Les Sables-d’Olonne – Vendée (return);

–          July 12: IRONMAN 70.3 Versailles (new event);

–          August 23: IRONMAN 70.3 Vichy + return of IRONMAN Vichy;

–          September 12-13: IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship 2026 in Nice;

France, a booming market

IRONMAN also bases this announcement on an underlying dynamic: triathlon is growing strongly in France, recently becoming the 2nd largest European market. The organizer reports approximately 14,500 French athletes registered for an IRONMAN/70.3 event last season, a +25% increase, and highlights a very telling sign: by the end of 2025, all French IRONMAN & IRONMAN 70.3 races for the 2026 season were already sold out. In other words: Versailles also arrives as a response to the high demand for bibs, at a time when many athletes are looking for a “premium” summer option without having to travel across Europe.

Thus, with its new 70.3 Versailles, IRONMAN ticks several boxes at once: a global postcard destination, a race accessible from Paris, and a 70.3 format that appeals to both first-time finishers and triathletes looking for a major intermediate goal before a full. One thing is certain: given the current trend in registrations, you’ll need to be quick off the mark starting February 12, 2026, to hope to secure a bib for this new half, which is already expected to be highly sought after.

Information and registrations from Thursday, February 12, 2026, here: www.ironman.com/races/im703-versailles