FRA9 · 31/08/2026 · Sports
Septembre Bouge aims to get France moving for a month
From 1 to 30 September 2026, the first edition combines a free 18-city tour, more than 150 online sessions and a daily 30-minute challenge.
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key points: 1–30 septembre · 18 villes · 150+ séances · 14 septembre · Marseille
VERIFIED INFORMATION
Before you book
- Dates
- Place
- 18 citiesFrance
- Access
- Free
- Checked
A free tour and 150-plus online sessions; check the programme for your city.
1–30 September: what starts today
Septembre Bouge runs across France from Tuesday 1 to Wednesday 30 September 2026. This is the first edition of France’s Month of Physical Activity and Sport, created as part of the Paris 2024 legacy and the 2025–2030 national sport-and-health strategy. It is not one central festival: travelling villages, local events, remote sessions and personal challenges run throughout the month.
How to find an activity near you
Start with the interactive map linked from the Sports Ministry portal. Filter by town and date, then open the organiser’s listing to confirm the exact location, minimum age, accessibility, equipment, insurance and any registration. A map listing does not mean every session is walk-in or that details cannot change, so check the organiser’s page again on the day you plan to attend.
The 18-city tour and free public villages
The national tour is due to visit eighteen stops across mainland and overseas France. The public villages are advertised as free, with taster sessions, demonstrations, workshops and meetings with clubs, federations, associations and public-health organisations. Do not try to sample everything: select two activities suited to your condition and ask where you can continue locally after the one-day event.
More than 150 free sessions at home or work
The French Federation for Workplace Sport is offering more than 150 online Vital Fit sessions, including yoga, Pilates, strength work and gentle exercise. Each class lasts thirty minutes and is led by a certified coach. Access is free but requires separate registration; check the time, required space and stated level before joining, particularly if you are returning after a long break.
Two thirty-minute challenges with different aims
The Septembre Bouge Strava club asks participants to record at least thirty minutes of activity. Macadam’s mental-health challenge proposes a thirty-minute walk, roughly 4,000 steps, every day for thirty consecutive days. These are motivational prompts, not individual medical targets or mandatory competitions. Split walks, adapted activity or a slower progression may be more suitable depending on age, health or disability.
Schools: a 60-minute recommendation and the week of 14 September
France’s Education Ministry says children and teenagers should aim for sixty minutes of physical activity a day and reports that 73% of 11–17-year-olds do not meet the recommended moderate-to-vigorous standard. Schools are invited to take part, especially during the week of 14 September and the national school-sport day. Families should follow their own school’s message because timing, clothing and permissions are decided locally.
14 September: Fête du Sport at Marseille’s Vieux-Port
The next major national date is the second Fête du Sport on Monday 14 September 2026, led by an XXL gathering announced for Marseille’s Vieux-Port. Visitors are invited to wear comfortable clothes and move for thirty minutes at their own level. Later, clubs and associations are expected to open gyms, pools, dojos, climbing walls, pitches and public spaces. Check the final programme, access and capacity before travelling.
Take part without mistaking an event for medical advice
A free taster is an introduction, not a diagnosis or prescription. Tell the leader about limitations, choose a genuinely accessible session, drink water and stop if you develop unusual pain, faintness or abnormal breathlessness. For chronic illness, pregnancy, a return after injury or disability-related adaptations, consult the professional who knows your situation or a Maison Sport-Santé. The programme’s published closing date is 30 September.
Frequently asked questions
Is Septembre Bouge free?
The travelling villages and more than 150 online sessions are advertised as free, although registration or organiser-specific conditions may still apply.
Where can I find events near me?
Use the interactive map linked from the Sports Ministry website, then recheck the organiser’s listing on the day.
When is Marseille’s Fête du Sport?
The main event is announced for Monday 14 September 2026 at Marseille’s Vieux-Port; confirm final times and access before travelling.
Does everyone have to walk 4,000 steps?
No. About 4,000 steps is the Macadam challenge, not a universal medical prescription; activity should be adapted to each person.
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