Nine iconic Paris sites to watch the Olympics
Amidst showcasing remarkable sporting achievements, this summer's Olympics in Paris will also spotlight the city's rich historical landmarks. Spanning four weeks (Olympics from July 26 to August 11; Paralympics from August 28 to September 8), the event will draw millions of spectators to witness world-class sports unfolding amidst Europe's most densely populated metropolis.
Athletes will traverse paths echoing historical significance, from running routes reminiscent of women revolutionaries' marches to Versailles in 1789 to swimmers reviving a traditional urban practice in the River Seine, banned since 1923. Cyclists will tackle steep, cobbled streets like Montmartre, where Louis Renault purportedly tested his inaugural car in 1898. The cultural heritage embedded within these events is profound.
In line with Paris 2024's commitment to reducing the Games' carbon footprint, 95% of the event will occur in existing venues or temporary structures erected in iconic squares or near renowned monuments. Although tickets for popular events have been swiftly sold out, opportunities still exist for sports like football, rugby, and various Paralympic competitions.
Additional "gold-dust" tickets will be released from mid-May on Paris 2024's official resale platform, accessible by creating an online account. Alternatively, here are some strategies to experience the excitement near Paris' iconic venues, even without tickets.
1. Eiffel Tower
Beach volleyball and men's Paralympic blind football will be hosted in a temporary outdoor stadium at Parc du Champ de Mars, situated at the base of Paris' most iconic landmark. Amidst jump serves and spikes on the sand, approximately 12,000 spectators will enjoy stunning vistas of Gustave Eiffel's renowned "Dame de Fer" (Iron Lady).
Erected as a temporary structure for the 1889 World Fair, the 330m-tall lattice beacon is constructed from iron, with some of its original 18,038 iron parts preserved and repurposed to create Olympic medals.
While events at the Eiffel Tower Stadium require tickets, visitors can still relish a bird's-eye view of Olympic action from the tower's three floors. To secure a prime viewing spot, purchase tower tickets online 60 days in advance of the desired event, ensuring an allocated timeslot. Additionally, bringing binoculars enhances the viewing experience.
With the exception of the opening ceremony on July 26 and the preceding day, the Eiffel Tower remains open as usual throughout both the Olympics and Paralympics, allowing visitors to marvel at the iconic monument during these events.
2. Champs de Mars
The Champ de Mars, flanked by the iconic Eiffel Tower and the grand classical facade of École Militaire, boasts one of the most majestic half-mile stretches of grassy lawn in Paris.
Once a parade ground for army cadets from the 18th-century military school, it will serve as the venue for Olympic judo, wrestling (freestyle and Greco-Roman), Paralympic wheelchair rugby, and para-judo within the temporary Champ de Mars Arena constructed for the Games.
Visitors to Paris since 2021 may recognize the distinctive cross-shaped wooden building on the Champ de Mars as the Grand Palais Ephémère, a popular venue for arts, fashion, and sports exhibitions. Tickets for Paralympic events are still available, while for Olympic events, keep an eye out for surprise ticket releases and ticket resales starting from mid-May.
3. Grand Palais
When the Grand Palais debuted for the Paris Universal Exhibition in 1900, its impressive barrel-vaulted glass roof was the largest in Europe, a title it still holds today. Attending Olympic fencing, taekwondo, or Paralympic wheelchair fencing events provides a unique opportunity to admire the magnificent interior of the Grand Palais.
Supported by 6,000 tonnes of steel painted in a charming mignonette green, the Herculean nave of the Grand Palais will be on full display during the Games. Closed for extensive restoration work since 2021, the Grand Palais will reopen as a cultural venue in 2025, making the chance to appreciate its dazzling Art Nouveau interior during the Olympics even more special.
4. Trocadéro
The men's (273km) and women's (154km) road cycling races are scheduled to commence and conclude on August 3 and 4, respectively, at Trocadéro – the renowned gardens situated across the Seine River from the Eiffel Tower. Trocadéro offers picturesque views of ornamental fountains, grand museums, and unparalleled vistas of the Eiffel Tower during sunrise and sunset from its river-facing esplanade.
Originally built as a romantic folly featuring Moorish towers and neo-Byzantine embellishments for the 1878 World Fair, the Palais du Trocadéro was dismantled in 1935 to make way for the present-day museum-filled Palais de Chaillot. In moments of crowdedness at Trocadéro during the Olympics, visitors can find solace at Café Lucy on the second floor of the Musée de l'Homme within the palace, where they can enjoy serene views of the festivities from above.
Apart from hosting the opening ceremony (culminating on the Seine River in front of Trocadéro) and cycling events, Trocadéro will be the site of Champions Park from July 29 to August 10, open daily from 16:00 to 23:30. Athletes will parade through this fan zone each afternoon, and the day's finals will be broadcasted on a large screen every evening from 19:00, promising an atmosphere of celebration and excitement.
5. Butte de Montmartre
Although not an official Olympic venue, the hillock of Paris' famed Montmartre district offers a prime vantage point to catch thrilling Olympic action without any cost. While the start and finish areas of the road cycling races at Trocadéro require tickets, once the cyclists have crossed the Seine via Pont d'Iéna, spectators are free to cheer them on roadside as they traverse the extensive route westward towards Château de Versailles and beyond.
In Paris, the final challenging leg in Montmartre, featuring three grueling half-mile ascents up the iconic Rue Lépic with its bone-jarring cobblestones and a 6.5% average gradient, promises to be a spectacle. Arriving early to secure a prime roadside viewing spot along the route is recommended, and don't forget to bring along a flag, banner, and hooter to show your support for your favorite rider.
6. Les Invalides
Beneath the impressive dome of the Hôtel National des Invalides, constructed during the reign of Louis XIV in 1670 to house wounded war veterans, rests the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte. His remains were transferred from the remote island of St. Helena to the circular crypt here in 1840. The tomb features an elaborate red porphyry sarcophagus containing a series of nested caskets crafted from mahogany, ebony, iron, and lead.
Pairing a visit to Napoleon's tomb with Olympic and Paralympic archery events on the Esplanade des Invalides, the formal gardens fronting the former military hospital-turned-museum, offers a unique experience. Alternatively, visitors can save the majestic backdrop of the Invalides for one of the Games' most emotional moments: the finish of the Olympic men's marathon and the nighttime Marathon for All featuring amateur runners on August 10, as well as the women's marathon, which notably concludes the Paris 2024 Games on August 11.
7. Pont Alexandre III
This iconic bridge, adorned with allegorical gold-winged statues symbolizing industry, commerce, science, and the arts, sets the stage for thrilling Olympic events. Built for the 1900 Universal Exhibition at Grand Palais, the bridge, illuminated by Art Nouveau streetlamps, serves as a pathway for visitors to easily traverse the river from the Invalides area on the left bank.
Underneath Pont Alexandre III, athletes participating in Olympic marathon swimming will embark on and conclude their grueling 10km open-water race from a pontoon. Additionally, the road bridge will host the Olympic individual time trials (road cycling) and triathlon events, all of which are free for spectators to attend.
8. Place de la Concorde
This landmark square, Paris's largest, connecting the Champs-Elysées with the Jardins des Tuileries and the Louvre, witnessed significant historical events, including the guillotining of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette during the Reign of Terror in 1793. Two years later, in an act of peace and reconciliation, Place de la Concorde (Concord Square) acquired its current name symbolizing harmony.
Place de la Concorde will serve as the venue for Paris 2024's most modern sporting disciplines: BMX freestyle, 3x3 basketball, skateboarding, and the debut of Breaking – a fusion of street dance, hip-hop culture, and DJ music where athletes synchronize their moves to the beat.
If tickets to these events are unavailable, visitors can explore these and other youthful Olympic disciplines blending sports with urban culture and creativity at SPOT24, located at 101 quai Jacques Chirac, 15th arrondissement. This engaging exhibition space, information hub, and cafe-bar by the Seine River is a joint venture between Paris Tourism and the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Additionally, keep an eye out for same-day tickets to Parc Urbain La Concorde, an entertainment area adjacent to Place de la Concorde's competition venues. The park offers DJ sets, large screens, athlete meet-and-greet sessions, urban sport demonstrations, and a skate park for children. As fans depart from the urban park (with a maximum capacity of 25,000), new tickets priced at €24 will be released in real time.
9. Château de Versailles
Among French chateaux, none holds as much renown as the unassuming hunting lodge at Versailles, which Louis XIV expanded into a magnificent 17th-century palace suitable for hosting his 10,000 courtiers.
Notably, Olympic and Paralympic equestrian events, including cross-country, dressage, and show jumping, will take place in temporary outdoor arenas within its expansive park.
Louis XIV often hosted extravagant gatherings alongside the Grand Canal, famously lighting its one-mile length with candles in terracotta pots and sailing Venetian gondolas on its tranquil waters.
The formal French gardens, nestled between the park and palace, feature mirror pools, fountains, and ornamental basins adorned with soul-stirring sculptures, including the unforgettable Neptune's and Apollo's Fountains. Both the palace and gardens will remain accessible to visitors throughout the Games, with tickets available for purchase in advance online.
Additionally, the Olympic marathons will pass directly by the Château de Versailles, providing a stylish French backdrop for spectators cheering on athletes from the roadside.
