Everything You Need To Know About The Paris Olympics 2024
Paris is a city that is special in ways that are truly impossible to count. From the glorious historical monuments and the gorgeous scenery to the groundbreaking fashion scene and the top-notch cuisine, it’s no wonder that people from every corner of the globe gravitate to Paris all-year-round – but summer 2024 will see the city take on the ultimate worldwide event. The French capital will the host 33rd Summer Olympic Games until July 26th to August 11th, followed by the Paralympics beginning two weeks later. 2024 marks the centenary of the last time Paris hosted the Games while 1924 was also the year that the enduring fixture of the Olympic Village was introduced – so this year is guaranteed to be a big one. Here’s everything you need to know about the Paris Olympics 2024…
The Opening Ceremony
While the details of every Olympic Opening Ceremony are kept under wraps until it’s revealed on the world stage, the monumental kick-off event takes place on the first evening, Friday July 26th to ensure the festivities begin with a bang. Spectators across the world can expect a display like no other, complete with musical performances, dancers and, of course, all the athletes partaking in the games marching proudly behind their country’s flag. Along with the closing ceremony, it’ll take place in the Grand Paris zone along a four-mile stretch of the iconic River Seine – don’t forget to wave at your favourites to win! An incredible 600,000 people are expected to attend the celebrations, and both paid and free tickets are available to the public, and there’ll be around 80 giant screens dotted around the route for maximum visibility.
Events and Venues
Sports that you didn’t even know were sports are held at the Olympic Games, and the events lined up at Paris are no exception. Breakdancing, skateboarding, surfing, climbing… you name it, you’ll be able to see it. Worldwide, round-the-clock coverage means that you won’t miss out on your favourites whether it be diving, handball, shotput or the nail-biting 100-metre dash. It’s worth noting that while most sports are held in the capital, the likes of football, basketball, sailing and handball will take place in other cities including Lille, Bordeaux, Nice and Marseilles – what better excuse than to have a complete French rendezvous?
Paris is utterly picturesque so it goes without saying that the venues and stadiums will be just as striking. The 80,000 capacity Stade de France will be home to the men’s and women’s rugby tournaments before being centre stage for the athletic events, followed by the para marathon on September 8th. The city is set to build the Eiffel Tower Stadium, a temporary open-air stadium on the Champs de Mar that will seat 12,800 people to watch beach volleyball, and blind football during the Paralympics. Tennis lovers should head to the west of the city where Roland Garros Stadium resides, home of the French Open and where the Games’ tennis competitions will be held including wheelchair tennis. The venue will also be transformed into a boxing arena for the final showdowns from August 6th to August 10th. The most grandiose setting will undoubtedly be the temporary arena built near Château de Versailles amid the striking lawns of the Sun King’s former palace, used for eventing, dressage, jumping, cross-country riding and the modern pentathlon.
Where To Stay
Paris is full of stellar hotels and accommodation options but busy events such as the Olympics sees the ones directly in the heart of the city fully booked months in advance. Our top tip? Head to the outskirts of the French capital, perfect for escaping the hustle and bustle of the festivities at the end of each day but remember, Paris has excellent transport links so it’ll be more than simple to reach the centre for your chosen events. Comfort Hotel Nation Pere Lachaise Paris 11 is an excellent choice, less than an hour by metro to the Roland Garros Stadium, just 40 minutes away from Champ de Mars and the Eiffel Tower, and just 20 minutes away from The Louvre if you fancy a little culture between Olympic events. Comfort Hotel Paris Porte d’Ivry will also provide you with a brilliant place to stay in the city that’s close enough to the action while also providing a sanctuary, is walking distance from the nearest metro station and offers a hearty buffet-style breakfast that promises to start your day off in the City of Lights correctly.
Be in The Heart of The Action
Being behind the scenes at such a historic and monumental event is nothing short of a once-in-a-lifetime experience – a story to tell your grandkids, that’s for sure! Applications for volunteering at the Paris Olympics can be found online, and you don’t have to live in Paris or France to participate but it’s worth bearing in mind that volunteers must speak English or French and are responsible for their own travel and accommodation arrangements. Also, being a volunteer doesn’t guarantee you access to the sporting events, so it’s best to secure tickets in advance if you’d like to attend.
