Ultimate Paris Olympics Travel Guide

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I don’t know about you, but I’ve been counting down to the Paris Olympics ever since it was announced! So now that the games are inching ever closer, it is time to figure out your Paris Olympics travel plans. 

I’ll be honest, I had talked about my love of France often and even toyed with the idea of starting a France travel blog in the past. It was actually the Paris 2024 Olympics announcement that motivated me to get started so that I could share helpful tips for Paris and beyond before millions of people traveled here for the big event! 

Now that we’re in the phase of purchasing tickets, I have some great tips for visiting Paris for the Olympics including key dates, events, where to stay, where the games will be held, and even places to visit around France afterward!

For your ultimate Paris Olympics travel guide, look no further. 

Ultimate Paris Olympics Travel Guide

Let’s get into the details of the Olympic Games in Paris 2024. 

Key Dates for the Paris France Olympics

Here are some key Paris 2024 Olympics dates to consider before booking your travel!

Full Duration of the Paris 2024 Olympics:

July 24-August 11, 2024

While most sporting events at the Olympics won’t take place until after July 26th, there are a few sports like archery, football, handball, and rugby with a few matches prior to the opening ceremony. 

Opening and Closing Ceremonies:

Opening Ceremony: July 26, 2024

Closing Ceremony: August 11, 2024

Full Duration of the Paris 2024 Paralympics Dates:

August 28-September 8, 2024

Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Paris 2024 Paralympics: 

Opening Ceremony: August 28, 2024

Closing Ceremony: September 8, 2024

Ticketing Dates:

Single Ticket Draw Sale Date: Begins May 11, 2023. 

Other Ticket Sales: Later 2023. 

Paralympic Games Sales: October 9, 2023.

For the Paris 2024 Olympics full schedule, check it out on the official website here, and here for the Paralympic Games. 

Paris 2024 Olympic Games Venues

There are several places around Paris and France to watch the Olympic and Paralympic games. Check it out below.

• Arena La Chapelle 

58 Boulevard Ney, 75018 Paris, France

Sports: Badminton, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Para-Badminton, Para Powerlifting

Metro Stop: Porte de la Chapelle (Line 12)

• La Concorde

Place de la Concorde

Sports: Basketball 3X3, BMX Freestyle, Breaking, and Skateboard

Metro Stop: Concorde (Lines 1, 8, 12)

• Grand Palais

Grand Palais

Sports: Fencing, Taekwondo, Para Taekwondo, Chair Fencing

Metro Stop: Champs-Elysees-Clemenceau (Lines 1, 13)

• Pont Alexandre III

Pont Alexandre III

Sports: Marathon Swimming, Triathlon, Road Cycling, Para Triathalon 

Metro Stop: Invalides (Lines 8, 13, RER C)

• Hotel de Ville

Pl. de l’Hôtel de Ville, 75004 Paris, France

Sports: Athletics 

Metro Stop: Hotel de Ville (Lines 1, 11)

• Arena Bercy

8 Bd de Bercy, 75012 Paris, France

Sports: Basketball, Artistic Gymnastics, Trampoline, Armchair Basketball

Metro Stop: Bercy Bourgogne-Pays d’Auvergne (Lines 6, 14)

• Pont d’Iena 

Pont d’Iena

Sports: Road Cycling, Athletics 

Metro Stops: Champs de Mars (RER C), Bir-Hakeim (Line 6)

• Invalides

Esplanade des Invalides

Sports: Archery, Athletics, Road Cycling, Para Archery

Metro Stops: Invalides (Lines 8, 13, RER C), La Tour-Maubourg (Line 8)

• Stade Tour Eiffel

2 Av. de Suffren, 75007 Paris, France

Sports: Beach Volleyball, Blind Football

Metro Stops: Champs de Mars (RER C), Bir-Hakeim (Line 6)

• Arena Champ de Mars

Adrienne Lecouvreur, 75007 Paris, France

Sports: Judo, Wrestling, Para Judo, Chair Rugby

Metro Stops: Invalides (Lines 8, 13, RER C), La Tour-Maubourg (Line 8)

• Stade Roland Garros

2 Av. Gordon Bennett, 75016 Paris, France

Sports: Tennis, Boxing, Wheelchair Tennis

Metro Stop: Porte d’Auteuil (Line 10)

• Park des Princes

24 Rue du Commandant Guilbaud, 75016 Paris, France

Sports: Soccer

Metro Stop: Porte de Saint-Cloud (Line 9)

• Arena Paris Sud 1

1 Pl. de la Prte de Versailles, 75015 Paris, France (Paris Expo Complex)

Sports: Volleyball, Bocci

Metro Stop: Porte de Versailles (Line 12)

• Arena Paris Sud 4

1 Pl. de la Prte de Versailles, 75015 Paris, France (Paris Expo Complex)

Sports: Table Tennis, Para Table Tennis

Metro Stop: Porte de Versailles (Line 12)

• Arena Paris Sud 6

1 Pl. de la Prte de Versailles, 75015 Paris, France (Paris Expo Complex)

Sports: Weightlifing, Handball, Goalball

Metro Stop: Porte de Versailles (Line 12)

• Arena Paris Nord

ZAC Paris Nord 2, 93420 Villepinte, France

Sports: Boxing, Fencing, Modern Pentathlon, Sitting Volleyball

Metro Stop: Parc des Expositions (RER B)

• Site d’Escalade du Bourget

93350 Le Bourget, France

Sport: Sport Climbing

Metro Stop: Le Bourget (RER B)

• Stade de France

Localisation la Plaine St Denis, zone d’aménagement concerté Cornillon, Pl. du Cornillon, 93200 Saint-Denis, France

Sports: Athletics, Rugby, Para Athletics

Metro Stop: Saint-Dennis Porte de Paris (Line 13), Stade de France (RER D) 

• Centre Aquatique

361 Av. du Président Wilson, 93200 Saint-Denis, France

Sports: Artistic Swimming, Diving, Water Polo

Metro Stop: Saint-Dennis Porte de Paris (Line 13), Stade de France (RER D) 

• Stade Yves-du-Manoir

12 Rue François Faber, 92700 Colombes, France

Sports: Hockey

Metro Stop: Colombes (J Train), Robert Schuman Bus Stop (Bus 164)

• Stade Nautique de Vaires-sur-Marne

Rte de Torcy, 77360 Vaires-sur-Marne, France

Sports: Canoe, Rowing, Para Canoe, Para Rowing

Metro Stop: Vaires-Torcy (RER E, Train P)

• Paris La Defence Arena

99 Jard. de l’Arche, 92000 Nanterre, France

Sports: Swimming, Water Polo, Para Swimming

Metro Stop: Nanterre-Prefecture (RER A)

• Chateau de Versailles

Place d’Armes, 78000 Versailles, France

Sports: Equestrian Sports, Modern Pentathlon, Para Riding (Para Dressage)

Metro Stop: Versailles Chateau Rive Gauche (RER C), Versailles-Chantiers (TER)

• Stade BMX de Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines

1 Rue Laurent Fignon, 78180 Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France

Sport: BMX Racing

Metro Stop: Saint-Quentin en Yvelines Train Station (RER C)

• Vélodrome National de Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines

1 Rue Laurent Fignon, 78180 Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France

Sport: Track Cycling, Para Road Cycling

Metro Stop: Saint-Quentin en Yvelines Train Station (RER C)

• Golf National

2 Av. du Golf, 78280 Guyancourt, France

Sport: Golf

Metro Stop: Bus Stop Villaroy Sud (39-12, 441, 466)

• Colline d’Elancourt

78990 Élancourt, France

Sport: Mountain Biking

Metro Stop: Bus Stop Marcel Cerdan (418, M)

• Stade Pierra Mauroy

261 Bd de Tournai, 59650 Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France

Sports: Handball, Basketball

Nearest Train Station: Lille Flanders

Nearest Airports: Lille Lesquin, Charleroi, and Brussels

• Stade de la Beaujoire

Route de Saint-Joseph, 44300 Nantes, France

Sport: Soccer

Nearest Train Station: Gare de Nantes

Nearest Airport: Nantes Airport

• Centre National de tir de Chateauroux 

Route de Lignières, D925, 36130 Déols, France

Sports: Shooting, Para Sport Shooting

Nearest Airport: Airport Chateauroux Centre 

• Stade de Bordeaux

Cr Jules Ladoumegue, 33300 Bordeaux, France

Sport: Soccer

Nearest Train Station: Gare St Jean

Nearest Airport: Bordeaux Airport

• Stade de Lyon

10 Av. Simone Veil, 69150 Décines-Charpieu, France

Sport: Soccer

Nearest Train Station: Lyon Part Dieu

Nearest Airport: Lyon Airport Saint-Exupery

• Stade Geoffroy-Guichard

14 Rue Paul et Pierre Guichard, 42000 Saint-Étienne, France

Sport: Soccer

Nearest Train Station: Gare de Saint-Etienne Chateaucreux 

Nearest Airport: Lyon Airport Saint-Exupery

• Stade de Nice

Bd des Jardiniers, 06200 Nice, France

Sport: Soccer

Nearest Train Station: Nice Ville

Nearest Airport: Nice Cote d’Azur Airport

• Stade de Marseille

3 Bd Michelet, 13008 Marseille, France

Sport: Soccer

Nearest Train Station: Gare de Marseille-Saint-Charles

Nearest Airport: Marseille Provence Airport

• Marina de Marseille

Marseille, France

Sport: Sailing

Nearest Train Station: Gare de Marseille-Saint-Charles

Nearest Airport: Marseille Provence Airport

• Tahiti Teahupo’o

Tahiti, French Polynesia

Sport: Surfing 

Nearest Airport: Faa’a International Airport

While many of the events are in and around Paris and Ile de France, note that some events, like soccer, take place throughout stadiums in France. Sailing is taking place in Marseille, and surfing is taking place in Tahiti. 

Paris 2024 Olympic Games Map

Getting to Paris & Getting Around During the Olympics

Luckily, getting to the 2024 Paris Olympics is easy. With 2 airports (Charles de Gaulle and Orly), you can fly to Paris and take public transportation into the city. I check flight prices on Skyscanner.

From Charles de Gaulle, the larger international airport, you can take the RER B Train into the city. From Orly, you can catch the Orlyval metro to the Antony Train Station. Then, from there, you’ll take the RER B. There is also the Orlybus that goes from the airport to downtown. 

There are also several train stations in Paris for travelers coming from nearby to take into the city. Check train dates/times at SNCF Connect. 

Once you’re in Paris, you can get around thanks to the metro system. You can just purchase tickets or a pack of tickets for your trip once you get to Paris at a metro station. Or, you can also get the Bonjour RATP app on your phone so you don’t have to carry tickets around and can just top up your pass on the go. 

Just note that you need a Navigo pass already to scan into the phone to use the app to purchase tickets. If this sounds confusing or you don’t plan to take the metro a ton for a shorter visit, then I’d just purchase a pack of tickets at a station and use those. 

Aside from the metro, there is the option to take Ubers or rent scooters or bikes on the go. 

Paris is also a pretty walkable city, however, many events aren’t necessarily taking place in the city center, so taking the metro is a great idea to get to where you need to go. That is why I have listed the closest metro or bus stops above for each stadium. 

Getting Around France During the 2024 Paris Olympics

Yes, there are many events, such as basketball and soccer, that are taking place in France but not in Paris or in the surrounding region. However, there is a large train system throughout France so the easiest way to get around the country for various events is by purchasing train tickets. 

I typically do this on SNCF Connect.

There is also the option to rent a car and drive, especially if you plan to sightsee between games! AutoEurope is a great place to check for rental cars! 

Olympic Games Paris 2024 Hotels

Deciding where to stay in Paris honestly depends on which Olympic events you plan to go to, how much sightseeing you plan to do, and how long you’ll be here. 

However, many events do take place in central Paris around the Eiffel Tower, Invalides, and Place de la Concorde. So staying in hotels that are nearby can be super useful so as to be able to walk to many places or have short commutes to both Paris attractions and the games. 

Here are a few hotels to look at in this area:

Budget: Grand Hotel Leveque

Located along the famous Rue Cler, this adorable hotel has cute rooms and is in a perfect spot to go between Les Invalides and the events around the Eiffel Tower. 

Book it here!

Mid-Range: Hotel de la Paix Tour Eiffel

This hotel is super close to Champ de Mars and the Eiffel Tower, so you are within an easy walking distance of many of the central Paris events as well as public transportation to events further out. 

Book it here!

Mid-Range: Cler Hotel

Located between Les Invalides and Champ de Mars, you’ll be in a perfect spot to wander back and forth between sporting events. This boutique hotel offers lovely city views, plus it is located on the famous Rue Cler which is full of lovely shops and restaurants. 

Book it here!

Luxury: Le Narcisse Blanc Hotel & Spa

Want to stay in luxury during your time at the Paris 2024 Olympics? This is the place to be. It is located next to the Esplanade des Invalides and isn’t far from the Seine or the Eiffel Tower. It has a luxe spa, sauna, and an indoor pool for relaxation between games. 

Book it here!

*Note that prices will vary and most likely increase for all hotels around the Olympics. 

Now, these hotels are perfect if you want to stay in a central location for both the games and sightseeing. If you are planning an extended stay in Paris during the Olympics, then I highly recommend checking out my Where to Stay in Paris guide that discusses which arrondissements are best for you based on your travel style. 

Pro Tips For Visiting Paris During the Olympics

I have a post all about the top tips for first-timers to Paris, but here are some key things to note before you go to the Olympic Games. 

1. Book everything well in advance! I’m not kidding. I recommend trying to book flights, trains, hotels, tours, etc. as soon as they are available. As soon as I am able to purchase tickets for single games (which start in May 2023) you better believe I’ll be setting alerts for flights, hotels, etc. to book as soon as possible. 

First of all, the prices will dramatically increase the closer you get to the games themselves. But also, there will be so many people coming into Paris for the Olympics on top of summertime being super busy in the city. This means you need to book ASAP to get hotels where you’d like them. 

2. Don’t Just Visit Paris. There are so many events being held throughout the country from soccer (or football for those who aren’t from the US) in Lyon to sailing in Marseille, why not check out some Olympic sporting events outside of Paris? 

3. It helps to speak a little French. Yes, I know there will likely be plenty of people volunteering for the games and are able to speak other languages, but outside of the games themselves, be sure to know a bit of French for navigating Paris and beyond. Even just a simple Bonjour/Bonsoir goes a long way. Check out my French phrases to know article here! 

4. Keep your things secure. Pickpocketing is always a problem in Paris, and with the upcoming Olympics, I have a feeling it won’t go away. So I recommend keeping an eye on your belongings at all times. I typically only carry a couple of cards and some cash for the day on me and leave the rest in the hotel safe. I also love my belt bag or a crossbody anti-theft bag to keep my belongings on me even safer from pickpockets. 

5. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. You’ll likely be walking a lot in the city and at sporting events, so be sure to wear appropriate footwear. I like my Adidas Stan Smiths for walking around all day.  

6. Have fun and cheer on your team! The Olympics bring together many nations from around the world for some friendly competition. Whether you go to the games themselves or just take in the energy at a sports bar showing the games, you’ll see just how many people come from across the world to experience this. Have fun, cheer on your home team, and meet other travelers from around the globe!  

Where Else to Visit in France During the Paris 2024 Olympic Games

As I’ve discussed above, there are plenty of events happening outside of Paris during the Olympic games. Also, there is plenty to see around France, so if you’re coming for the Olympics, why not stay for some sightseeing? 

I have plenty of suggestions in other articles like the most beautiful cities in France and a France Bucket List, but here are a few places to visit when you come for the Olympics. 

1. Bordeaux

Want to drink delicious wine, visit the amazing La Cite du Vin wine museum, and see a soccer match? Bordeaux is a lovely spot to check out during the Olympics. 

2. Lyon

This incredible city is a foodie destination, and it is also hosting some soccer games during the Olympics. Spend some time in Lyon and be sure to check out other cool destinations not too far away like Annecy or Grenoble. 

3. Marseille

Marseille is hosting both sailing and soccer events during the 2024 Paris Olympics, so you can check out the South of France during this time. Marseille isn’t too far from the lovely beachside town of Cassis which is well worth a visit. 

4. Nice

Also in the South of France, you can enjoy the sunny shores of Nice as you check out a soccer game. There is a ton to do in Nice, including walking along the Promenade des Anglais, exploring the Cours Saleya Market, and visiting the Colline du Chateau. Plus, you can use this as a great place to go on your own lovely South of France road trip afterward! 

5. Nantes

Sightsee around Nantes in the western part of France during the Olympics. This city is hosting soccer games. So in between games, be sure to check out the Chateau des docs de Bretagne, Les Machines de l’Ile, and the Fine Arts Museum. 

6. Lille

Visit this northern French city to enjoy some Olympic events like handball and basketball. Then, be sure to do some sightseeing at the Beffroi de Lille, the Fine Arts Museum, and swing by La Vielle Bourse (the 17th-century stock exchange). Plus, Lille is close to the Belgian border, so why not check out places like Bruges, Ghent, or Brussels afterward? 

7. Dijon

No, Dijon isn’t hosting any games, but this is a great place to check out after the Olympics for its tasty food scene (including its Dijon mustard!) as well as its close proximity to the delightful vineyards of Burgundy. 

8. Reims & Epernay

Paris isn’t far at all from the famous Champagne towns of Reims and Epernay. So to celebrate the Olympics, take a day or two to sip bubbly at a few Champagne houses. 

This is the ultimate Paris Olympics travel guide including where the events are being held, key dates, where to stay, and even places to visit around France afterward! 

Which Olympic sports are you most excited to see? 

Want more France travel ideas? Check out these posts!

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