We’ve rounded up some of the latest news and tips regarding the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
How many Times have the Olympics been in Paris?
The City of Light is gearing up to host the world’s largest sporting event again, 100 years after the first Paris Olympics.
Paris Olympics – DATES
The Olympic Games will be from July 26 to August 11, 2024. The Paralympic Games are from August 28 to September 8, 2024. Between 10-15 million people are expected to attend both events.
What’s New During the Paris Olympics?
There will be 32 different sporting categories and over 306 events. Breaking, a competitive form of breakdancing, makes its Olympic debut in Paris, in order to forge a more gender-balanced, urban, and youthful festival.
Another first: the same emblem will be used for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The face of the Games is the unity of three symbols: the gold medal, the flame, and Marianne— the embodiment of the French Republic.
Paris Olympics 2024 SCHEDULE
The full game schedule for the Paris Olympics is available on official website. Day 1 is July 27th, immediately after the opening ceremony.
Paris Olympics Venues
Cycling will be dispersed all over the streets of Paris while judo would take place at the Champ-de-Mars Aréna, behind the Eiffel Tower. The historic Grand Palais shall host fencing and the La Défense Aréna is going to be the site for swimming.
Skateboarders will compete at the celebrated Place de la Concorde. The Stade de France is home to rugby sevens whereas, not too far from the stadium, diving will be held at the Aquatics Centre— the latter being the only permanent sports venue specifically built for the Paris 2024 Games.
Tahiti, the largest island in French Polynesia, will host the surfing competition. This marks the farthest Olympic event held outside the host city.
Paris Olympics TICKETS
To purchase remaining tickets for the Paris Olympics visit the official website to ensure you will not get scammed. The good news is even though good tickets are scarce, you can register on this site and you will get an email about when to expect a ticket “dump” to score that last minute coveted ticket.
As for the Paralympics, prices start at €15 each. The Games promote inclusion and universal accessibility to people with disabilities. Visit the Paralympic Games ticketing page for more info.
Paris Olympics – Opening Ceremony
600,000 spectators were initially expected for the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics but according to Le Monde about half has many people will attend due to safety reasons. The Seine will host the parade, with onlookers strategically placed on the lower and upper quays of the river. This 6 kilometres course, between Pont d’Austerlitz and Pont d’léna, is around 10 times bigger than an Olympic stadium! The breathtaking finale is set to take place at the stunning Place du Trocadéro.
Tickets are required for the lower banks and on selected bridges and areas. The upper banks will be accessible to the public for free. Massive screens are to be placed throughout the path so everyone can stay tuned and enjoy.
Paris Olympics QR Code registration
Get a Pass Jeux (Game Pass) with your own personal QR code for entry into certain areas of central Paris. It’s imperative otherwise you won’t get inside where all the action is (or where you need to be if you are a resident). Expect bag checks and other security measures. However, if you have a ticket for a specific Olympic event you’re allowed to enter, but ONLY on the scheduled date
How do you get around the Paris Olympics?
Taxis
At the airports, be prepared to be stalked by unlicensed drivers offering you a “good deal” on a taxi to Paris. Don’t be fooled. They’re ready to charge you double or triple the price! Follow the TAXI signs, then stand in the official line. Attention: You’ll be charged a Flat Rate. From Charles De Gaulle Airport—€56 for the Right Bank, €65 for the Left Bank. From Orly Airport—€36 Left Bank, €44 Right Bank. Anything else is not legal.
VTC’s such as Uber are restricted in red zones. Official taxis with the taxi light on the vehicle are your best bet. Or try official taxis companies like G7 or Alpha Taxis.
Public Transportation
Originally, part of the Grand Paris Express (a major extension of the public transportation system) was due to be finish by the Olympics. However it will not. The opening of Lines 15-17 have been pushed back until after the Olympics as is the completion of the CDG express. The extension of RER E is only partially complete. These lines were meant to connect different Olympic venues and sites. However the extension of line 14 connecting Orly, the Athlete’s Village along with major events sites will be complete.
It’s important to stock up on transportation tickets now. Tickets (which were originally meant to be free) are actually going to see prices jump up during the Olympics to almost double the price at €4 a ticket from July 20-September 8. Purchase tickets at a lower price now for your Android phone right now. For Iphone users the sales begin early June. The price of weekly, monthly, and annual passes won’t change. You can also recharge your Navigo Easy Pass with up to 30 tickets at a time.
Service to Orly and CDG will cost €16 via the RER B or Metro Line 14.
For more information on transport in Paris consult RATP’s website. There is also a multilingual app called Paris 2024. Citymapper is also an indispensible source for those in Paris trying to navigate their way around. Check out these indispensable, quirky maps of Paris to help you navigate your stay.
Metro Station Closures
Champs-Élysées – Clemenceau – Lines 1 and 13 are closed from July 1-September 21
Concorde – Line 12 closed from May 12; Lines 1-18 from June 17 until September 21
Tuileries – Line 1 and line 13 are closed from July 1-September 21.
What MONUMENTS are Opened and Closed During the Paris Olympics?
OPEN: Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Versailles (*gardens closed), Sacred Coeur
CLOSED: Place de la Concorde, Champs de Mars, Trocadéro, Les Invalides, Alexandre III Bridge, Grand Palais, Notre Dame
Just because they’re open doesn’t mean you get in. Buy tickets in advance.
PHONE & DATA
Get an e-Sim card before leaving to France. Don’t be lured into buying from your phone carrier since the service is oftentimes bad, too expensive, or you don’t get connection at all. You can get yourself an e-sim online before leaving your country. It will automatically be installed on your phone and all you have to do it activate it. Wonderfully simple and much cheaper.
One e-sim we’ve used several times and highly recommend is Airalo. They offer e-sims to over 200 countries and the connection in France has been great. Note that their plans are data only which should be perfectly adequate for most visits.
RESTAURANTS
Make reservations online well in advance of the desired date. Many Parisian restaurants are compact with limited seating, and it is the norm to reserve in advance. Increasingly restaurants will require a refundable (as long as you cancel in the time window specified) credit card deposit. It is likely that employees will be able to speak English if you decide to call.
Tipping in French Restaurants
Several establishments are taking advantage of the upcoming games to solicit for tips. Keep in mind that French law requires a 15% service charge to be included in the bill and waiters receive a living wage. It is not required to leave a tip. A discretionary pourboire (little tip) is common if the service was good. 5% is adequate and 10% is for exceptional service.
We’ve outlined all you need to know about French dining etiquette so you’ll feel at ease on your trip.
CLOTHING
Be armed with your most comfortable attire for your feet. Be prepared for lots of walking since a number of metro stations in central Paris are closed. Don’t despair. Paris on foot is sometimes the best way to experience the undisputed center of beauty and culture. One of our favorite go-to’s for comfy yet stylish walking shoes which will see you fitting in with the locals? You can’t go wrong with Veja sneakers, but make sure you break them in first!
Be prepared with layers. Weather is variable but increasingly there are periods of sweltering weather though it can still get chilly, especially after sun down in summer. A trench coat for her from Sézane, or one of their jackets for him are perfect for a trip to France during the milder months.
TOILETS
The good news is that public toilets in Paris are usually very tidy. The bad news is that you probably have to pay for it, even in some restaurants. Always have a few €1 coins on hand…just in case.
Dotted along the Parisian streets you will also find public toilets called sanisettes. They are open 24 hours on main roads and from 6AM – 10 PM everywhere else. And the best things: they are all wheelchair accessible. This map shows you where to find these 400 public toilets in Paris.
RELATED LINKS
- On your next trip to Paris, be prepared to forego something you may have taken for granted on a hot day: ice.
- Hot drinks are another story. Read about how to order coffee in Paris.
- In search of pastry perfection? Find out where to get the best croissants in Paris.
Written by Maikka Piquemal for HiP Paris. Looking to travel? Check out Plum Guide and our Marketplace for fabulous vacation rentals in Paris, France or Italy. Looking to rent long or short term, or buy in France? Ask us! We can connect you to our trusted providers for amazing service and rates or click here. Looking to bring France home to you or to learn online or in person? Check out our marketplace shop and experiences.
WRITTEN BY
Maikka Piquemal
Maikka is a Philippine-born, Brooklyn-trained creative who traded the Big Apple for the romance of Paris and a French man. She holds a degree in Fashion Design from Parsons the New School of Design and currently works full-time as a writer in Paris, focusing on adtech, fashion, real estate, and more. When not fondly observing the Parisian fashion scene or engrossed in a good Gallimard book, she escapes to the French Basque country, daydreaming of living in the other two fashion capitals, London and Milan.
Very helpful blog post about for sports events 2024.
Thanks for share your blog post for summer games.