What is that thing that lights up and perhaps burns, that will land in Marseilles on Wednesday, 8 May 2024 and arrive in Paris on Friday, 26 July? The Olympic Flame: marks the start of the new edition of the games that, in fact, will be hosted next year in the Ville Sportive. The opening ceremony of the Olympic Games will also mark the arrival on the scene of the mascot Olympic Phryge, chosen as the symbol of Paris 2024 to recall the Phrygian caps, symbols of freedom in the French Republic.
So, from 26 July to 11 August (and from 28 August to 8 September for the Paralympics) Paris will be the scene of competitions and competitions, sports, and entertainment. And you must imagine that the city will be dressed up to shine properly in the spotlight. Whether you are a fan of volleyball, wrestling, table tennis, boxing, golf, badminton, or archery (just to mention the most interesting disciplines), the Olympic body has prepared a series of travel packages that include 1, 2 or 3 nights in the hotel with access to your favourite competitions. Just to guess the units of measurement: one night in a 4-star centre, with two tickets for the semifinals of handball, costs about 2600 euros.
THE OLYMPICS
For the first time in the history of the Games, the opening ceremony will take place in the heart of a city and will be open to the public. The Seine will be the magical backdrop for athletes and delegations, while spectators can watch the event from the banks of the river. From 20 to 23.15 on 26 July you can then take part in a show that will not disappoint, although everything will not be free: tickets range from 90 euros for standing seats to 2700 euros for seats reserved and numbered. Less expensive to attend the closing ceremony, which will be held at the Stade de France on the evening of August 11: tickets from 45 to 1600 euros. Returning to the purely sporting field, football fans should keep in mind that the matches will not all take place in Paris but also in Nantes (La Beaujoire Stadium), Bordeaux (Bordeaux Stadium), Marseille (Marseille Stadium), Nice (Nice Stadium), Saint-Etienne (Geoffroy Guichard Stadium) and Lyon (Lyon Stadium).
It is good to remember, also with a view to a rational organization of travel and accommodation, that other specialties will also be played outside Paris: for example, basketball and handball matches will take place in Lille. And surfing in Polynesia. Once you have decided which tickets to buy and in which city to stay, you should look for accommodation in advance. In fact, finding a nice room/apartment around the French capital is not easy, let alone during the Olympics. Remember that using public transport in Paris, as in any other metropolis, is essential and so staying near a Metro or Rer station can be a plus of some importance (If your budget foresees an excessive number of zeros, to follow and not to precede the first figure, these indications may be superfluous). In any case do not forget to stock up on many Phryge gadgets, to have a memory of your Olympic adventure and to be able to tell all your friends I was there.
BEYOND THE OLYMPICS
If once in Paris you realize that all in all you don’t like sport so much (strange, but it can happen) don’t be discouraged, you are still in one of the most fascinating cities and full of attractions in the world. You’ll be spoilt for choice. Should you start with the modern and bold building that houses the Louis Vuitton Foundation at the Bois de Boulogne? From the Grévin wax museum, where you can admire sport champions and other VIPs? Or discover the Museum of Arts and Crafts on rue Réaumur and try the dishes offered by the Café des techniques? Or still delve into the quirks of the Paradox Museum? Always keep in mind that, always because of the predictable and large tourist presence during the next summer, it is better to book and reserve all the accesses, in order not to have to face endless queues and queues under the hot July Parisian sun.
Photo of Marco Squadroni
Illustration by Gloria Dozio - Acrimònia Studios
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