The Paris 2024 Olympics is set to be one of the biggest events
France will host in a long time. Even now, when the games are still a few months away, the French capital is already abuzz with excitement. Its famous spots have set up arenas, merchandises are selling like hotcakes, and a strong patriotic spirt lingers in the air. The French are especially excited, especially since their home is front and center at this global event. And though it's the official host city, Paris isn't the only French city that will feature the Olympics. Nice, Marseilles, Bordeaux, and Saint-Étienne are just some that will take part too.
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is the wine capital of the world. Serving as the official capital of France's wine-growing region, it's home to some of the best and
most beautiful wineries in the country. Since it's famous for its champagnes and such, you never would've thought that Bordeaux would feature heavily in the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics. The city's Matmut Atlantique will host many of the event's highly anticipated football matches. It's also worth noting, one of the many things you need to
know about the Paris 2024 Olympics, that the football games will begin on July 24, 2024, two days before the official opening ceremony.
Lille
As the capital of the northern Hauts-de-France region, Lille is among the biggest and most important French cities out there. Not only is it a major business hub in this part of the country, but it’s also near the border of Belgium. So as far as international events go, it makes sense that Lille will be a huge part of the Paris 2024 Olympics. But what will the city feature in the upcoming global sports event? Its Stade Pierre-Mauroy will host the basketball and handball games this summer. If you're a fan of these sports, you'll want to go here too!
Lyon
Lyon serves as the capital city of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and is a major hub for two things: food and education. The city is known for its prestigious universities, especially the University of Lyon, which also serves as an important research facility in the country. At the same time, Lyon's culinary scene can almost rival that of Paris, complete with Michelin-starred restaurants, popular cafes, and more. All of these are part of why Lyon is one of the
best cities to find work in France. There are many job opportunities here, perhaps even more so with the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics. Much like Bordeaux, the Lyon Stadium will also host many football matches for the event.
Marseilles
Marseilles will be one of the many
towns on the French Riviera that will also be part of the Paris 2024 Olympics. Specifically, the Marseilles Marina will host the event's sailing races, one of the more recent additions to the Olympic Games. Considering its location in southern France, it's no surprise that this beloved port city will host the sailing races for the upcoming Summer Olympics. The Marseilles Marina is among the most famous ports, not just on the French Riviera but in the entire Mediterranean sub-region. With its clear waters and eternally sunny weather, there's no doubt that the races will go off without a hitch.
Nantes
Since it's not on the French Riviera, Nantes doesn't share the same sort of fame that those southern French towns do, even though it's a similarly important port town in the country. Located in the Upper
Brittany region, the city is on its own island, so the surrounding waters make up the Atlantic Ocean instead of the Mediterranean Sea. As for what role Nantes will have in the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics, its very own La Beaujoire Stadium will also host the event's several football matches. The stadium has hosted the Euro 1984 Football Championships and was part of the 1998 World Cup.
Nice
With its aquamarine seas and white sandy shoreline, it's no surprise that Nice is among the most popular towns on the French Riviera. It helps that the city is also the capital of the Riviera's Alpes-Maritimes department, making it one of the more important coastal cities in southern France. Formerly a popular destination for the 19th-century European elite, Nice has always been a beloved destination in this part of the world. Naturally, the Paris 2024 Olympics will take place here too. Its massive Allianz Riviera Stadium will host some football matches for the event, similar to the other French Riviera cities that will also be part of the Olympics.
Saint-Étienne
You'll find the highly underrated Saint-Étienne in east-central France. It's best known for its local textile market and coal mining industry, making it another vital business hub in the country. But because it's not as well-known as the other French cities on this list, it's a bit of a surprise that the Paris 2024 Olympics organizers chose Saint-Étienne to be part of the event. The city's famous Geoffroy Guichard Stadium will host another set of football matches for the event, making it the fifth French city set to feature this sport on this list.
Saint-Quentin
Cycling is often forgotten or underrated in the whole pantheon of Summer Olympic Games. While the rest of the world focuses on football, swimming, gymnastics, and the like, cycling is often overlooked. Is this the reason why the Paris 2024 Olympics decided on Saint-Quentin, a highly underrated city in the Hauts-de-France region's Aisne department, to host the cycling games? The city's BMX Stadium and Velodrome will feature the world's best cyclists to duke it out for the Olympic medals. If you'll be here for the event, it's your best bet to explore this lesser-known but equally beautiful city.
Even though it's the Paris 2024 Olympics, the French capital isn't the only city that will be front and center for the upcoming global sports event. Other places like Nice, Lyon, Marseilles, and more will take part too.
