If you'll be in
Paris for the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics, where should you go? Naturally, you'd be going to where the games are held and luckily, they're some of the city's most famous spots. But what about in between the games? What about when you have a free day and it's finally your chance to play tourist in one of the most-visited cities in the world? Where do you go? The Louvre? Definitely! The parks? Of course! The cemeteries? A little unique but sure! Fortunately, there's still a lot to explore about Paris beyond the Olympics.
The Grand Museums
Indeed, many of the
famous Paris spots will host the Olympic Games this summer. From the Eiffel Tower to even the Seine River, the entire city is all set to host the global sports event starting this July. With this in mind, you're probably thinking that you won't be able to see the city's most popular attractions, and to a certain extent, this is true. However, some of the best art museums in Paris will still be open for all the world to see... literally! Go to the Louvre and see the Mona Lisa in person. Head on over to Musée Rodin and relish in the Parisian charms of the manor-turned-museum.
The Beautiful Parks
You'd think that
Paris's beautiful parks would play a huge role in hosting the 2024 Summer Olympic Games this year but they won't. Most of the games and matches will take place in the city's stadiums and arenas, some of which are set up near important landmarks just for the event. The parks, on the other hand, will largely remain untouched. They'll be the perfect places to escape when you have a free day. When you have the time, retreat to Jardin du Luxembourg and relish in its old-world elegance. Or to Bois de Vincennes and immerse yourself in its fairytale-like beauty.
Place Vendôme
Many of the city's plazas will host all sorts of games this upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics. From Place de la Concorde to the Eiffel Tower, sports will take over these famous public squares. Fortunately, the glimmering Place Vendôme in the
1st arrondissement will remain untouched during the event. It may not be as iconic or as big as the other plazas, but it's undoubtedly a must-see nonetheless. This is the luxurious heart of Paris, home to
haute couture houses and designer brands that have helped make the city the definitive fashion capital of the world.
Le Marais
Le Marais is always a must-see whether it's during the Paris 2024 Olympics or not! This trendy district is the contemporary center of the city, home to the hottest spots most locals go to. Think hip bars that are always lively, chill cafes with the coolest crowds, and fashionable boutiques of designers you have yet to know. If you fancy yourself as a cosmopolitan, this is the one
neighborhood in Paris you simply should see. Don't worry! The Olympic Games won't take place here, so you're free to roam without bumping into the sporty crowds.
The Latin Quarter
Apart from the exciting Paris 2024 Olympics, the French capital has always been known for its free-thinking and bohemian society. From creatives to idealists, Paris often served as the pioneer of new ideas, new art, new fashion, and more. And this vivacious spirit remains alive and well in the
Latin Quarter. Home to the prestigious Sorbonne University and other educational institutions, this is where the youth live and congregate. They instill a new and exciting energy in this centuries-long district, constantly making the neighborhood one of the trendiest and coolest around. This is reason enough to explore the place, don't you think?
Paris Cemeteries
Are you brave enough to visit the
Paris cemeteries? You don't even have to be! Sure, these places are graveyards and you can't help but feel a bit creeped out in such places, but they're different from your usual burial grounds. They're surprisingly beautiful, in an enchanting and admittedly eerie sort of way. Places like Cimetière du Père Lachaise, Cimetière du Calvaire, and Cimetière de Montmartre have a certain, albeit haunting charm about them that makes them just as soothing as the city's famous parks. And of course, since these are cemeteries, they're also quiet. Retreat to any of them when you're in dire need of a break!
Paris Suburbs
The
Paris Suburbs deserve more recognition than what they're getting now. They may be located a fair distance away from the city center and don't have iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower or the Arc de Triomphe, but they're worthwhile areas nonetheless. Versailles, for example, doesn't just refer to the former residence of France's bygone monarchs. The town surrounding the famous gilded palaces is a suburb, an affluent one at that! The same goes for the lively La Défense district, a major business hub in the Île-de-France region. This place is as worth your time to explore as Paris itself!
In between watching the games at the Paris 2024 Olympics, why not explore Paris to its fullest? Go full-on tourist and visit the city's best and most beloved spots that are still open during the global sports event.
