The 32nd Olympic Games are scheduled to take place in Paris from July 26 to August 11, 2024. Paris, known for its romantic Seine River, the iconic Eiffel Tower, the Palace of Versailles and the recently restored Notre Dame de Paris, has made significant space design changes to host this event.
The Paris Olympics is sparking creativity and vitality in 10 urban landmarks and venues undergoing changes.
1. Flowing Water Opening Ceremony: la Seine
On July 26, 2024, the Paris Olympic Games will kick off with an opening ceremony that will take place on the main street in the city center and on the Seine River. This will be the first time in Olympic history that the opening ceremony will occur outside the stadium and the first time it will take place on a river.
During the event, approximately 10,500 athletes will ride on 160 cruise ships along the Seine River. The starting point is the Austerlitz Bridge, and the route will pass through the city center from east to west. The total distance of the route is approximately 6 kilometers, and if you want to find the best viewing spot, you can head to the Alma Bridge on the Seine River.
This opening ceremony is also free and open to the public. In addition to the tickets required for the center stage, hundreds of thousands of spectators can enter various piers and public spaces to celebrate the grand ceremony together.
2. Beach Volleyball Under The Tower: Champ De Mars
One of the main attractions of this event is that Paris will be using 15 historical landmarks as competition venues. For instance, the renowned Champ de Mars will be hosting this year’s beach volleyball, and right behind it stands the iconic Eiffel Tower.On the east side, a 10,000 square meter arena, Champ de Mars Stadium, will be built for judo and wrestling competitions, opposite the Paris Military Academy.
3. Equestrian In The Garden: Chateau De Versailles
The idea of hosting an equestrian event in the Palace of Versailles Gardens sounds very grand. As part of the Olympic Games, there will be a temporary outdoor arena built on the Etoile Royale Square. This arena will be used for the modern pentathlon competition as well.The Palace of Versailles, once the seat of Louis XIV’s court, is a top attraction for tourists in Paris. In 1979, it became the first French site to receive UNESCO World Heritage status.
4. Bow And Arrow Competition Next To The Military Museum: Les Invalides
The stadium is situated on the grassy area at the north side of the French Military History Museum, called the Invalides. It will be hosting archery competitions and serving as the finish line for the marathon during the Olympic Games. The Les Invalides complex, erected in 1687 during the reign of Louis XIV, encompasses museums, monuments, hospitals, and other facilities. Notably, the mausoleum of Napoleon Bonaparte can be found beneath the vaults of Les Invalides.
5. Competition On The Champs Elysées: Grand Palais
The Grand Palais in Paris is a remarkable complex of buildings located on the Champs Elysées. Originally constructed for the 1900 World’s Fair, the venue is now well-known across the world for its stunning nave and glass roof. Today, the Grand Palais is not only an exhibition hall, gallery and concert hall, but also a venue for sports events. In fact, fencing and taekwondo matches will be held here during the Olympic Games. The venue has hosted sporting events before, such as the 2010 Fencing World Championships.
6. Vibrant City Project Arena: Place De La Concorde
Place de la Concorde, located at the eastern end of the Champs Elysées in Paris, is one of the largest and most famous public squares in Paris. This year, new urban sports like breakdancing and skateboarding will be showcased here. Place de la Concorde has a rich history, having been at the center of the French Revolution and many of France’s national celebrations. In 1998, the French men’s football team celebrated their World Cup victory at Place de la Concorde.
7. Exhibition Of The Restoration Process: Notre Dame
Notre Dame Cathedral is set to reopen to the public on December 8, 2024. Although it missed the current Olympic Games, the cathedral has planned to host an exhibition related to the restoration project. The exhibition will be displayed in the square in front of the building during the Olympic Games. The President of the International Olympic Committee has donated 500,000 euros towards the restoration work. The remaining buildings and artworks that were damaged in the fire will also be displayed in the exhibition. Currently, the restoration work of the 93-meter-high Gothic spire that collapsed in the fire is underway. The renovation project of the surrounding landscape will begin this year, and the restoration project of the entire Notre Dame will continue until 2030.
8. Celebrate With The Champions: Eiffel Tower
From July 29th to August 10th, you can visit the Champions Park located in the Trocadéro Garden under the Eiffel Tower. The park provides an opportunity to share happy moments with the award-winning athletes and their families and friends after the game. The park can accommodate up to 130,000 people at the same time. Each day between 17:30 to 19:00, the athletes who won medals the previous day will be celebrated here. Additionally, the day’s finals will be broadcast live, and there will be various art performances and cultural activities organized. Visitors can also start a tour of the Eiffel Tower nearby before or after entering the park.
9. Green And Environmentally Friendly Permanent Sports Ground: Aquatics Centre
The Aquatics Center is a newly constructed sports venue specifically built for the Olympics. It will host various competitions such as water polo, diving, and synchronized swimming. The center’s design was focused on achieving environmental sustainability from the outset. Over a hundred trees have been planted within the sports center to bring nature into the downtown area. Additionally, 90% of the energy required for the venue is generated through renewable sources. The roof of the center is covered with 5,000 square meters of solar photovoltaic panels which provide 25% of the building’s electricity consumption. The sports center is separated from the Stade de France, where the opening ceremony took place, by a highway but is connected through an overpass. After the Olympics, this location and its surrounding public spaces will be turned into a livable neighborhood for citizens.
10. A Brand New Community On The Banks Of The Seine: The Olympic And Paralympic Village
The project is situated alongside the Seine River. The designer has planned a series of open blocks that will contain 2,500 new housing units, a landscape park, and urban gardens. Additionally, the area will feature 120,000 square meters of office and urban service facilities. The entire community is designed around the concept of a garden city. After the Olympic Games, it will become a permanent community and will welcome new residents in 2025.