IRONMAN 70.3 Versailles : toutes les cartes du parcours

On Sunday, October 11, 2026, the IRONMAN 70.3 Versailles will make its debut on the French calendar against a backdrop that’s hard to match. At the foot of the Château, athletes will set off on a half-distance course consisting of a 1.9 km swim, a 90 km bike ride, and a 21.1 km run. This brand-new event, moved from July to October, promises a spectacular day combining royal heritage, the roads of the Île-de-France region, and a demanding athletic challenge.

The swim will take place in the Pièce d’eau des Suisses; the bike leg will take competitors toward the Chevreuse Valley, followed by a run through the heart of Versailles. This inaugural edition checks all the boxes: an iconic location, a fast-paced format, and a course designed to leave a lasting impression. To follow the race closely, check out the maps and profiles of the swim, bike, and run courses—as well as the two transition areas—at a glance.

Photos: ironman.com

The swim course for the 2026 Ironman 70.3 Versailles

The swim kicks off the day in a regal setting. Athletes will cover 1.9 km in the Pièce d’eau des Suisses, at the foot of the Palace of Versailles. This historic, vast, and straight-lined pond—dug in the 17th century by the Swiss Guards—covers an area of approximately 13 hectares.

The setting is exceptional, but athletes must pace themselves. The goal is to exit the water in a good position, but above all, clear-headed and still fresh before the 90 km bike ride. Athletes will therefore need to find their rhythm quickly, avoid collisions at the start, and make a clean exit before reaching the Chevreuse Valley.

Transition Area 1 of the 2026 Ironman 70.3 Versailles

The bike course for the 2026 Ironman 70.3 Versailles

The bike course covers 90 km through the heart of western Paris. After leaving Versailles, athletes head toward the Chevreuse Valley, a terrain well known to cyclists in the Île-de-France region. The course isn’t mountainous, but it is challenging. Undulating roads, technical terrain, changes in pace, and faster sections require a certain level of skill. Athletes must avoid overexerting themselves on the climbs and maintain efficiency on the fast sections.

The Chevreuse Valley offers a more natural setting—with villages, forests, and country roads—before the return to Versailles. The goal is clear: to finish the bike leg with energy to spare, as the final half-marathon will take place in a prestigious setting where there’s no room for error.

Transition Area 2 of the 2026 Ironman 70.3 Versailles

The running course for the 2026 Ironman 70.3 Versailles

The run concludes the event over 21.1 km—a half-marathon in the heart of Versailles. The course takes athletes back to a much more urban and historic setting. After cycling through the Chevreuse Valley, it’s time to manage the race. You’ll need to find the right pace quickly. Don’t start too fast. Maintain proper form. And, if possible, enjoy the atmosphere around the Palace and Versailles’ grand avenues.

In a 70.3, the half-marathon is the deciding factor. In Versailles, it also carries the weight of the setting: prestigious, demanding, and inevitably memorable for a first edition.