What travelers should know about the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics
The Summer Olympics and Paralympics in Paris in 2024 are among the most eagerly anticipated global events of the coming year. Here’s what visitors should know about the upcoming Olympics.
The 2024 Olympics will be held in Paris and surrounding areas from July 26 to August 11, 2024. During the Olympics, an estimated 15.3 million visitors are expected to visit Paris and its surrounding areas, with an estimated 3.3 million of these attending. The vast majority of these visitors (13.4 million) are expected to be from France, while the city will welcome an estimated 1.9 million international visitors.
The city estimates that visitors will spend 2.6 billion euros, or roughly $2.75 billion in total, with the Olympic Games accounting for 1.9 billion euros. International visitors are expected to contribute 38.5% of Olympic spending and 31.2 percent of Paralympic spending.
Corinne Menegaux, managing director of Paris je t’aime Tourist Office, was interviewed by TravelPulse to learn more.
Preparing Paris for its largest event
The city has been preparing for the event, the largest it has ever hosted, in a variety of ways that are expected to forever change the city, from purifying the Seine to allow the swimming events to take place in the storied river — and even after — to increasing bike lanes to allow for greener transportation to and from the Games.
“Legacy is an extremely important aspect of Olympic organization and was a requirement for Paris candidacy.” “The Games must have a positive impact on the territory, for both residents and visitors,” Menegaux said. “Paris’s transportation ambition is that 100% of visitors can travel to the competition sites by public transportation or active transportation (bike, for example).” In Paris, there is already a 1000-kilometer bike network.
“And in 2024, 100% of the competition’s sites will be accessible by bike,” she went on to say. “Paris 2024’s goal is for 20% of commutes to be made by bike.” Paris wishes to welcome disabled people in the best possible conditions. The 185 kilometers of Olympic lanes will be accessible to vehicles designed to transport people with limited mobility.”
The city becomes a stage
Paris is approaching its role as a host city very differently than previous Olympic host cities: instead of constructing a completely new complex to host the events, the city’s most iconic attractions, landmarks, and destinations will be transformed into Olympic stadiums and arenas. In fact, 90% of the Olympic Games venues already exist.
“…the Grand Palais will host fencing and taekwondo, the Place de la Concorde will host the new Olympic sports: breakdance, skateboard, BMX, basketball 3×3…” according to Menegaux. “Beach volleyball competitions will be held at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, and judo and wheelchair rugby will be held on the Champs-de-Mars!” Of course, the Seine will have a special place in the festivities, as it will be the highlight of the opening ceremony and will inaugurate river swimming!”
Other Olympic events will take place just outside of Paris, near attractions such as the Palace of Versailles, which will host both the Olympic and Paralympic equestrian games. Other events will take place across France, from Bordeaux to Marseille, with the second Olympic surfing competition taking place in Teahupo’o, Tahiti.
“It’s worth exploring ways to see Paris other than the more traditional tourist routes.” We are also pleased to announce the opening of our new ‘SPOT24’ venue at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. When it opens in autumn 2023, it will center on the new Olympic disciplines and urban cultures,” Menegaux said.
“A one-of-a-kind, multidisciplinary, and immersive exhibition will pay tribute to 33 basketball, BMX freestyle, breaking, sport climbing, skateboarding, and surfing athletes.” The exhibition’s goal is to promote Olympiads and the links between sport, culture, and art. SPOT24 will be a place where everyone can live, share, and meet: urban, sporting, and cultural communities, Parisians, and visitors from other countries…”
How to be a part of the historic event
There are several ways for visitors to participate in or attend the Paris Olympics and Paralympics.
Those interested in attending can purchase tickets for specific competitions. Tickets for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games are now available on a first-come, first-served basis. The official ticketing website also offers travel and hospitality packages, including hotel and ticket packages, that provide attendees with exclusive benefits. To purchase tickets, go to www.paris2024.org/en/tickets.
Additionally, from May 8, 2024, until the start of the Paris Summer Olympics, visitors to France can participate in a portion of the 2-month-long Olympic Torch Relay as it travels across France’s most iconic natural and cultural landmarks from Olympia, Greece to Paris.
