France is hosting a new edition of the games, marking the third occasion in its history (following the 1900 and 1924editions) to welcome the world’s biggest and prestigious sporting event. They are running from July 26 to September 8, 2024. Whether you are in the City of Lights to experience the event firsthand or steering clear of the festivities, we have compiled inside stories and essential details you should be aware of to make your trip to France a success.
A Tour de France – From Paris to Tahiti’s Shores
This year’s event will be like no other. No fewer than 61 venues will be hosting the athletes, giving you the chance to embark on a grand tour de France! In addition to Paris and the Paris region (26 venues in total), nine venues have been selected in the French regions. Châteauroux will host the shooting events. Lyon, Nantes, Bordeaux, Saint-Etienne, Nice and Marseille will share the football tournament, while Lille will host the finals of the men’s and women’s handball tournaments and the qualifying matches for the basketball tournaments. Marseille is poised to become the sailing capital of this edition, while the surfing competition will be held for the first time in Tahiti, where the surfers will take on the legendary Teaupo’o wave!
At the heart of it all, Paris’s iconic landmarks, from the Grand Palais to the Eiffel Tower and the sprawling Jardins de Versailles, are gearing up to host some competitions, turning these historical sites into vibrant sports venues. The Grand Palais will be the stage for fencing and taekwondo, while the Champ de Mars awaits judo and wrestling matches. Beach volleyball will have a picturesque setting beneath the Eiffel Tower, and Place de la Concorde is set to introduce break dance (a premiere!), alongside skateboarding, sport climbing, 3×3 basketball, and BMX freestyle, to the games’ scene. The majestic Palais de Versailles, listed as a UNESCO heritage site, is preparing its grounds for equestrian and modern pentathlon events. The capital’s most beautiful monuments will provide an exceptional backdrop for this year’s edition.
The Transportation Challenge – Is Paris Ready?
Paris has undertaken extensive construction and renovation efforts, particularly focusing on its transport infrastructure. For those in Paris, we have compiled the latest information on traffic during the sport competitions
- Public transport
Aiming to be the first games that can be 100% accessible by public transport, the organizers have increased the public transport network by 15% compared to normal summer traffic in the Paris region. Furthermore, Paris is embracing cycling with an expansion of bike lanes to 415 kilometers across the region, complemented by 20,000 new bike parking spaces. This edition will be the “first cycling games in history”, according to the French Ministry of Transport.
Here are the public transport lines to avoid, as much as possible. For the metro: lines 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13 and 14, for the tramway: T3, for the RER: lines B, C and D, and for the Transilien: lines J (Argenteuil), L (towards Versailles Rive Droite), N, P (towards Meaux) and U.
Some stations are closed: this applies to the Tuileries, Concorde and Champs-Élysées – Clémenceau metro stations, as well as the Colette Besson, Porte de Versailles and Porte d’Issy tramway stops. Some stations are “red” because they will be extremely busy: it is the case of Gare du Nord and Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre. Other stations are “orange” because they will be very busy: it is the case of Miromesnil, Saint Augustin, Havre-Caumartin, Saint-Lazare, Madeleine, Châtelet-les-Halles, Pigalle, Porte de Clichy, Porte de Saint-Ouen, Laumière, Jaurès, Stalingrad, Jacques Bonsergent and Porte d’Orléans.
- Road transport
Road travel is facing significant restrictions from July 1 to September 15, from 6 a.m. to midnight. Key roads, including 185 km of major routes such as the A1 motorway from Paris to Roissy airport, the A13 in western Paris and three-quarters of the ring road, are designated for official use only. Major arteries in western Paris, near several venues, also see traffic limitations.
A multi-level security perimeter is set up to restrict motorized traffic.
A “grey” zone with a ban on motorized traffic, searches and the closure of metro stations, allowing access only to ticketed spectators and accredited people. The perimeter corresponds to the venues and is deployed during the competition.
A “red” zone with a ban on motorized traffic, except by waiver after declaration on an online platform. It is activated a few days before the opening ceremony and every day of the competition, two and a half hours before the start of the first event, and deactivated one hour after the end of the last event. Pedestrians and cyclists are allowed to circulate without restriction.
A “blue” zone with regulated motorized traffic. Residents, employees and customers are able to use their vehicles with proof of identity. The blue perimeter extends beyond the red perimeter. It is activated each day of the competition, two and a half hours before the start of the first event, and deactivated one hour after the end of the last event. Pedestrians and cyclists are allowed to circulate without restriction.
The areas affected by the grey, red and blue perimeters are as follows: Trocadéro, Eiffel Tower, Champ-de-Mars, Invalides, Grand Palais, Alexandre III Bridge, Concorde, Arena Bercy, Roland-Garros, Parc des Princes, Arena Porte de Versailles, Arena La Chapelle, Département des Hauts-de-Seine: Paris La Défense Arena, Stade Yves-du-Manoir, etc., and Département de Seine-Saint-Denis: Stade de France, Aquatic Centre, Le Bourget, etc.
- Taxi transport
Ticketed spectators or accredited persons may enter the red perimeter by taxi with proof of identity and after checking at specific entry points. It is possible to access a specific point within the blue perimeter by taxi, subject to inspection.
- Air transport
Additionally, air traffic is experiencing a temporary halt during the opening ceremony on July 26, with a no-fly zone extending up to 150 km around Paris, except for emergency flights.
Public transportation will definitely offer the best way to immerse yourself in the festivities!
An Unconventional Opening Ceremony – A Unique Parade on the Seine
This year’s opening ceremony will certainly be one of the most memorable moments. For the first time, the ceremony will step out of the confines of a stadium and into the heart of the city, embracing the Seine as its grand stage. Paris is breaking new ground in sports competition by bringing sports out into the city. What would be Paris without the Seine? With this idea in mind, the organizers, have decided that the Seine will serve as the backdrop for a spectacular athlete parade, featuring boats representing each national delegation in a unique display of unity and celebration.
In an unprecedented collaboration, the organizers have partnered with local and regional river companies to allocate 116 boats for the delegations from the five continents, ensuring a majestic procession along the Seine on July 26, 2024. The boats, selected for this unique occasion, will be assigned to the different countries in the competition in a secure manner, with details kept confidential until the last moment.
Spanning 6km from east to west, the parade will offer the 10,500 athletes a breathtaking journey through the centre of Paris, starting from the Austerlitz Bridge, making its way around the Île Saint-Louis and Île de la Cité, before culminating near the Trocadéro for the ceremony’s finale. This route promises athletes and spectators alike glimpses of key venues, such as the Place de la Concorde, the Esplanade des Invalides and the Grand Palais, weaving the spirit of the event into the fabric of Paris.
Projected to be the largest opening ceremony in history, it aims to be a celebration for everyone—residents of Paris and its surrounds, as well as visitors from across the globe. With 300,000 spectators expected along the Seine’s banks, the ceremony embodies the vision of a “people’s games,” offering 100,000 ticketed spots for prime viewing and 200,000 free spots to ensure a wide access to the public.
One-of-a-Kind Medals – When Luxury and Art Meet Sport
For this year’s event, the medals will embody a truly unique design. They are not only inspired by the Eiffel Tower, but they also each contain an original piece of the 19th-century landmark, offering athletes a personal piece of French heritage. This initiative reflects the organizers’ intention to gift medallists not just a symbol of victory but a tangible piece of France’s iconic monument.
The centre of each medal has been cut from an authentic piece of iron from the Eiffel Tower, preserved during its recent restoration. LVMH’s esteemed French jewellery brand Chaumet has been entrusted with the medal’s design. The Maison has employed a technique known as “griffe setting”, a technique traditionally reserved for setting gems in high-end jewellery.
LVMH premium partnership, underscores the luxury group’s commitment, reportedly investing €150 million into this collaboration. However, Chaumet is not the only LVMH Maison to apply its creative talent to the games. The conglomerate’s other renowned brands, such as Moet Hennessy and Berluti, will also play pivotal roles in celebrating French excellence, from serving world renowned wines and spirits to outfitting the French team for ceremonial events.
LVMH has taken up the challenge of elevating the competition award to a work of art, showcasing France’s unique savoir-faire during this global celebration of high-level sports.
Paris is now ready to offer a unique and memorable experience “à la française” for athletes, spectators, and viewers worldwide. With transportation renovations, a commitment to sustainability, innovative venues, and a fusion of luxury and art, this edition will not only celebrate athletic excellence but also the enduring beauty and spirit of France. As we look forward to the opening ceremony, the excitement continues to grow for what promises to be a historic celebration of sport and culture on an unparalleled scale.
