Reasons to Visit Paris in 2024

Not only is it the third time that Paris hosts the world's greatest sporting event — having already done so in 1900 and 1924 — but it also marks 100 years since the Games were last held in the City of Light. 

A unique opportunity to discover Paris

2024 will be the year we get to experience Paris wrapped in an extraordinary atmosphere. Celebrations, events, and exhibitions — all under the Olympic spirit.

1. Experience the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics on the River Seine

The Paris 2024 opening ceremony will not take place in a stadium, but right in the heart of Paris, with the River Seine as the main stage — something happening for the first time in Olympic history.

Imagine being in Paris and feeling firsthand the energy of this historic sporting moment. An unforgettable experience!

2. Sports at the foot of Paris's monuments

Not only will the opening ceremony be held in the city center, but several sporting events will also take place at various locations throughout central Paris.

For example, in the Champ de Mars gardens a beach volleyball court will be set up; beneath the Eiffel Tower you'll see the Paris Marathon and the Avenue des Champs-Élysées will be turned into a cycling track.

You will also see sports at the Grand Palais, Les Invalides and the Palace of Versailles. The city as one grand stadium you can be part of!

3. Witness the Arrival of the Olympic Torch

There is always great excitement surrounding the lighting of the cauldron that marks the start of the Olympic Games, and Paris will be no exception. 

After being lit in Olympia, Greece, the Olympic torch will travel to the city of Marseille on May 8, 2024, amid a grand celebration that will kick off the torch's journey across French territory. 

Around 10,000 torchbearers will be selected to carry the Olympic flame to Paris, following a route to be announced on June 23. 

4. Sports in Other Parts of France

Although Paris is the host city of the 2024 Olympic Games, some sporting events will be held in other cities across France. 

Football will be played in Bordeaux, Lyon, Saint-Étienne, Nice, Nantes, and Marseille, as well as in the French capital. Handball events will be held in Lille, sailing in Marseille, and surfing in Tahiti, where athletes will be challenged by Teahupo'o, one of the most powerful waves in the world. 

5. Witness the Historic Closing Ceremony of Paris 2024 in Person

At the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, it will be the first time in history that people who are not professional athletes will take part in the "marathon for all" — an opportunity to run the same 42-kilometer Olympic route as the Paris Marathon, which will be the event marking the closing of the Olympics on August 11.

More Reasons to Visit Paris in 2024

Beyond the Olympics, Paris always gives us reasons to attend important events that let us experience the city in a different way. Here are some you might want to check out:

• Paris Jazz Festival, for lovers of jazz in Paris. starting in May.
• Tour de Francia, starting June 29, 2024 (though this time it will not finish on the Champs-Élysées in Paris).
• Roland Garros, from May 26 to June 9, 2024.
• París Fashion Week, from February 26 to March 5, 2024.
• Salón Mundial de Turismo, from March 14 to 17, 2024.

And it doesn't end there. You'll be able to enjoy the excitement of sport for even longer, as the Paralympic Games will take place from August 28 to September 8, 2024, giving us even more reasons to soak up the energy of Paris.

Plan Your Trip to Paris

We'd like to share a list of useful tips to help you plan your trip to Paris during the 2024 Olympic Games:

Once you organize everything there is things to see in Paris during this Olympic day, you may have time to day trips and discover nearby places. 

• You can get to any tourist attraction by public transport.
• Find out what the best tourist passes for Paris are so you can save time and money.
• Find the best hotels in Paris near the Olympic venues.
• Take into account the distance from the airports to your accommodation.

And don't let your guard down — you'll be living a historic moment in one of the most visited cities in the world, so it's worth knowing some tips on safety in Paris to avoid unpleasant situations.