Take part in a run or walk to admire the most beautiful Parisian churches
It's not every day that we have the chance to admire the most beautiful Parisian monuments without a car around. So enjoy! Sunday April 28, 2024, walk the streets of Paris as part of the Paris church tour, a unique timed 10km running race to (re)discover the most emblematic churches of the capital.
The event is organized as part of the Holy Games, the program dedicated to spiritually supporting the world of sport in view of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The route will begin, at 8:45 a.m., on the square in front of Notre-Dame de Paris and will take you to the Madeleine church. Along the way, you will come across sumptuous religious buildings: the churches of Saint-Étienne du Mont (5th arrondissement), Saint-Sulpice (6th century), the chapel of the Miraculous Medal (7th century), Saint Thomas Aquinas (7th century), Notre-Dame des Victoires (2nd century), the Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre (18th century), the Trinity (9th century) and Saint-Louis d'Antin (8th century).
You don't have the soul of a runner? So opt for the 5 km walk. Departure will be at 8:45 a.m. from the square of Notre Dame des Victoires to reach the Madeleine church.
For runners and walkers who wish to participate in Sunday mass, it will be held upon arrival in the Notre-Dame des sportives chapel, in the heart of the Madeleine church, at 10:30 a.m.
Values carried by faith and sport
Charles Jaunèz, the organizer of the Paris church tour, expects more than 1,000 runners on the Parisian asphalt. For him, churches should not become museums but on the contrary become places of life. Running on a course highlighting religious heritage is therefore for him a way of recalling the spiritual and social roles of the church in the community.
This running lover also believes that sport is a tool of faith that should not be neglected. Indeed, it allows the body, soul and spirit to experience a common and embodied effort. A different form of prayer that allows everyone to meet without screen or artifice and with their own ambitions: running for the clock or for the beauty of the landscape, or simply taking some time to disconnect in conviviality, with or without his loved ones.
So put on your sneakers to train, we're waiting for you at the starting line!
