If you're in Paris right now, you better head to the popular hotspots like Place de la Concorde, Champ de Mars, the Grand Palais, and the Palace of Versailles! Why? Because come the 2024
Paris Olympics, you won't be able to go to these places. These areas will be used during the global sporting event, be it as a venue for the games or as part of the Olympic Village. And remember that the Summer Olympics last about a month. You'll have to wait that long before you can check these popular attractions again. So while the Paris Olympics are still more than a year away, you need to visit these places now!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Anne Jea.
Champs-Élysées
Don't be shocked! Paris won't close the entire Champs-Élysées during the Paris Olympics. Not the famous road or the affluent neighborhood. Even during the event, you can still go to this part of the city, so don't worry! But why is it on this list, then? Because the Champs-Élysées will be one of the busiest areas during the Paris Olympics in 2024. There are plenty of competition venues here, such as the Grand Palais, Place de la Concorde, and more. Though you can still visit the 8th arrondissement, getting here amidst all the hoopla would be a hassle. Especially if you're not that keen on watching the games live.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Grand Palais
Speaking of the Grand Palais, this palatial convention center will host a number of games during the 2024 Paris Olympics. It's here where the fencing and taekwondo matches will take place. Not to mention wheelchair fencing and para taekwondo as well. A few months prior to the start of the event, approximately around July 2024, the place will likely start declining visitors and tours. It'll be a shame if you can't see what this glorious site has to offer before that happens. The Grand Palais is one of the most beautiful structures in the city! So much so that it even hosts
haute couture fashion shows and other elegant events regularly.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Place de la Concorde
As previously mentioned, Place de la Concorde will host a few games in the 2024 Paris Olympics. They include skateboarding, BMX freestyle, and three-on-three basketball matches. For this, the city plans to set up an urban park that will take a good chunk of the iconic public square. It'll look totally different from what it is now. You might still be able to visit some parts of the plaza, but you won't see a lot. You'll even find it difficult to reach the famous Luxor Obelisk at the center of it all.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Pont Alexandre III
Yes, you read that right! Pont Alexandre III will also take part in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. You might be wondering how in the world a bridge can serve as a venue for the Olympic games, right? Will they set up an urban park or a temporary stadium there just like in all the other places? Nope! The site will instead host marathon swimming, triathlon, and road cycling games. Bleachers will be set up along the banks of the Seine River so that the audience can still get a clear view of all the action. And while this is all well and good, the elegant atmosphere of the place will be different during this time.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Pont d'Iéna
Another bridge that will also be closed off during the 2024 Paris Olympics is Pont d'Iéna in the
7th arrondissement. It's the famous thoroughfare that leads up to the Eiffel Tower, making it a popular path for tourists to go on when they want to see the iconic landmark. For now, the bridge and the street are still open. But come 2024, the city will likely start setting up the stage for road cycling and a few track & field games. Not only will you get to pass by here during that time, but it will likely make taking
public transport in the area pretty difficult.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ ludovic
Champ de Mars
While on the subject of the areas
near the Eiffel Tower, there's also the Champ de Mars. This is the beloved park that's right beside the monument. If you ever want to relax while admiring the Eiffel Tower, this is the best spot to do it. And you might as well do it now if you're already in the French capital. Why? Because the city will set up a temporary stadium here during the 2024 Summer Olympics. This venue will host beach volleyball and blind football and seeing them with the beloved landmark in the background will be spectacular. Not so much for those outside the stadium who want to hang out near the tower though.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Cité du Cinéma
Now, let's focus on popular sites that are outside the city center of Paris. First up is Cité du Cinéma, the film studio complex located in Saint-Denis, the northern suburban
neighborhood in Paris. You can say that it's France's answer to the Hollywood studios in the US. But of course, this place isn't as big nor as fantastical. It's still a great place to visit though, especially if you're into French cinema. And you'd do well to go here now while the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris is still many months away. Cité du Cinéma will be part of the Olympic Village during the event, which means it will be closed to the public at that time.
Source: Cité du Cinéma Facebook Page
Palace of Versailles
Although you might still be able to visit some parts of the Palace of Versailles during the 2024 Paris Olympics, it's better to see it in its full glory. Châteaus, gilded halls, manicured gardens, and all! It's only when you can see the full scope of the former royal court of France that you will get to see the place's true majesty. Exactly how the former kings of the country would've wanted you to see them. But come the Summer Olympics, a good portion of Versailles will be devoted to the equestrian games. You need to see the palace before that!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Many of the most famous spots in Paris will close or be pretty hard to get to during the 2024 Summer Olympics. So if you're already in the French capital, you'd do well to visit them now! You might not get the chance next year.
