Abalone Nantes Marathon 2026: Host the weekend's 20,000 runners!

The countdown is on! On April 25 and 26, 2026, the City of the Dukes will vibrate to the rhythm of the 44th edition of the Abalone Nantes Marathon. With nearly 20,000 to 23,000 runners expected at the starting line, accompanied by their loved ones, the city is preparing to experience a weekend of absolute excitement. But faced with this massive influx, a recurring problem resurfaces: where to house all these people? Hotels are fully booked months in advance and prices are skyrocketing. This is where you, the people of Nantes, have an exceptional card to play. At Roomlala, we are convinced that homestays are the ideal solution to compensate for this shortage while offering you a great financial opportunity. Ready to transform your guest room into a cozy cocoon for athletes? Discover why and how to open your doors for this highly lucrative weekend.

The 2026 Nantes Marathon: An unmissable sporting and tourist event

The Abalone Nantes Marathon is not just a simple race; it is a true institution celebrating its 44th edition in 2026. The event attracts athletes from all over France and Europe every year. Key events like the legendary 42.195 km Marathon, the highly popular Half-Marathon, or the Elephant Strides (10 km night run) promise intense moments. The majestic start from the famous Machines of the Isle and the triumphant finish at the Beaujoire Exhibition Center make for an exceptional urban route, enhanced by the famous floating footbridge over the Erdre.

With the increase in capacity to 7,000 bibs for the main event and the lightning success of the half-marathon, more than 20,000 athletes will tread the Nantes pavements. This massive enthusiasm inevitably generates a colossal demand for tourist infrastructure. Runners rarely come alone: spouses, coaches, friends, and families make the trip to encourage them, almost doubling the number of visitors on this single weekend in April.

Faced with this human tide, the classic hotel stock of the Nantes metropolitan area quickly shows its limits. Hotel rooms become scarce, and prices undergo inflation that discourages many participants. For a runner, the stress of not finding affordable and comfortable accommodation as their sporting goal approaches can be completely paralyzing. The night before's rest is crucial, and sleeping in good conditions is an absolute priority to hope to beat a personal record.

This is precisely where homestay rentals make perfect sense. By offering an available room in your house or apartment, you meet an urgent need while contributing to the city's hospitality effort. At Roomlala, we see every year how much this alternative appeals to traveling athletes. They look for authenticity, the calm of a home, and the warmth of a personalized welcome that only a resident can offer on the eve of a major challenge.

Why open your doors to marathon runners?

A highly lucrative extra income

Welcoming travelers into your home during major events is a financial windfall not to be overlooked. By renting out your guest room or even a converted space, you generate a net and direct extra income. During the marathon weekend, high demand allows you to adjust your rates in a fair but advantageous way. It is the perfect time to make this unoccupied space in your home profitable without excessive effort.

Let's take a very concrete use case: you have a nice room near Nantes city center or on tram line 1 leading to the Beaujoire. By offering it at 60 or 70 euros per night (a very competitive rate for an event of this magnitude compared to hotels), for a couple of runners staying from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon, you can easily collect between 120 and 140 euros in a single weekend. An ideal sum to finance your next vacation, pay a bill, or treat yourself.

Beyond the immediate gain, this approach is part of a smart collaborative economy logic. Rather than leaving a space empty, you transform it into an active resource. Many hosts on Roomlala use these peaks in tourist activity to build up precautionary savings. Sports tourism is a particularly reliable niche: athletes are serious, organized, and often book many months in advance, thus guaranteeing your income.

Finally, it is an excellent way to try out homestays if you have never dared to take the plunge. The short-term nature of the event allows you to start for a short duration (only two nights). If the experience proves successful, which is often the case, you can certainly decide to make this activity permanent for other must-see Nantes events.

An enriching human experience

While the financial aspect is the primary driver, the human adventure remains the true reward of homestays. Hosting marathon runners means bringing enthusiasts into your home, driven by a strong personal challenge. Conversations over breakfast, sharing anecdotes about physical preparation, or discovering their region of origin transform a simple transaction into a memorable encounter.

Nantes residents are known for their hospitality. By opening your doors, you become an ambassador for your city. You have the opportunity to advise your hosts on the best places to dine the night before the race (the famous "pasta party"), show them the shortest path to reach the Machines de l'Île in the early morning, or even recommend a restorative walk along the Erdre or at the Jardin des Plantes after the effort.

Imagine for a moment: your tenant, stressed by the stakes, finds an attentive ear and a serene environment at your home. You prepare a kitchen area for their ritual Saturday night pasta dish, and you talk about the course. On Sunday, they cross the finish line and return to your home, medal around their neck, stars in their eyes. You will have contributed, in your own way, to their success and well-being.

At Roomlala, we receive thousands of testimonials from hosts who have formed lasting bonds with their short-term tenants. Some athletes even return year after year to the same host, transforming a simple tourist stay into a true friendly gathering. This is the very essence of our platform: putting human connection and sharing back at the heart of travel.

Hosting with Roomlala: Safety and regulations in 2026

What does the law say about homestays in Nantes?

As a host, it is normal to have questions about legislation, especially with recent developments. In 2026, regulations on short-term rentals have tightened, notably with the law aimed at regulating furnished tourist accommodations (Le Meur Law) and the new Finance Bill. But rest assured: renting a room in your primary residence remains the simplest and least restrictive approach for individuals.

If you rent a room located in your primary residence (the home you occupy at least 8 months a year), you do not need to request an authorization for change of use from the Nantes city hall. The legal limit is set at 120 rental days per year for the entire home, but for renting a room in a homestay where you are present, this restriction gives you total freedom to host during long weekends. You simply need to ensure you declare your activity if the city hall requires it via a registration number.

On the tax side, the year 2026 marks the end of certain derogatory advantages for unclassified furnished rentals, with a flat-rate Micro-BIC deduction lowered to 30% and an income ceiling set at €15,000. However, for occasional rentals like the marathon weekend, you will remain well below these ceilings. You will simply need to declare your additional income on your annual tax return. It's simple, legal, and transparent.

Let's not forget the tourist tax, which is mandatory in Nantes. By using a professional platform, this step is greatly simplified. At Roomlala, we make it a point of honor to support our members. We inform you of your legal obligations so that you can welcome your visitors with peace of mind, in full compliance with the rules of the Nantes metropolitan area.

Safety first with Roomlala

Opening your door to a stranger can legitimately cause apprehension. It is to address this fear that Roomlala has set up an extremely robust trust ecosystem. We know that your home is your sanctuary, and the safety of our hosts is our absolute priority every day.

First of all, every profile on our platform is rigorously verified. Travelers must provide valid identification, and you have access to their reviews left by former hosts. Even before accepting a booking, you can communicate via our secure internal messaging system. This allows you to ask questions, understand the runner's expectations, and ensure there's a good connection before confirming.

Next, the financial aspect is completely secure. No more bounced checks, suspicious cash, or last-minute cancellations that leave you stranded. The traveler pays online at the time of booking. Roomlala holds the funds securely and transfers them to you a few days after the tenant's arrival. This way, you are certain to be paid no matter what happens.

Finally, because everyday accidents can always happen, rentals made through Roomlala benefit from a secure framework. In case of property damage in your rented room, you are never alone. Our customer service is highly responsive and is at your full disposal to resolve the slightest dispute. You can therefore entrust your keys and your spare room with total peace of mind.

Our practical tips for becoming the perfect host that weekend

Hosting a marathon runner requires a little specific preparation. Unlike a typical tourist who comes to wander, their rhythm will be set to the competition's schedule. The first step is to prepare the room with particular care. A comfortable bed with excellent bedding is essential for their rest. Clear some space (a chair, a corner of a desk) so they can spread out their sports gear, prepare their bib number and pins without stress the night before. A small bottle of water on the bedside table and the Wi-Fi code clearly visible will be very appreciated gestures.

The crucial point of this weekend will be the management of food and schedules. The half-marathon start takes place very early, at 8:00 AM, and the marathon at 9:15 AM. Your tenant will therefore get up at the crack of dawn on Sunday morning (often around 5:00 or 6:00 AM). Offer them free access to the kitchen so they can prepare their usual breakfast (the famous sports cake or their oatmeal). If you want to score points, ask them beforehand if they need anything specific in the refrigerator. Access to the bathroom should also be fluid very early in the morning to avoid any unnecessary stress.

Highlight your accommodation's strategic location right in your listing. If you live near the Machines de l'Île (the starting point) or on the tram line leading to Beaujoire (the finish line), state it in bold! It's a massive selling point. Help them anticipate their movements: traffic in downtown Nantes will be heavily disrupted that weekend. Print a map or explain how to use the TAN public transport.

To sum up, here is the ideal host's checklist for the Nantes Marathon:

• Schedule flexibility: Accept a very early wake-up on Sunday and offer to keep their belongings until the afternoon so they can take a well-deserved shower after the race.
• Free access to the kitchen: Leave them some space in the fridge for their "pasta party" on Saturday night and their custom-made breakfast.
• Practical information: Provide tram schedules and the best walking routes to reach the start without getting exhausted.
• The comforting little extra: Prepare some ice in the freezer for their sore muscles upon return, and congratulate them warmly on their achievement!

By joining the Roomlala community for this intense sporting weekend at the end of April 2026, you're not just offering a bed. You're offering moral support, flawless logistics, and a warm smile to athletes who really need it. So don't wait for hotels to be fully booked: publish your homestay listing today, set your price, and get ready to experience the Nantes Abalone Marathon from the inside, all while boosting your income!