What travelers should know about the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics

The Paris 2024 Summer Olympics and Paralympics are among the most eagerly anticipated global events of next year. Here's what travelers should know about the upcoming Games.

The 2024 Olympics will be held July 26 through Aug. 11 throughout the Paris metro area and beyond. An estimated 15.3 million visitors are expected to visit Paris and its surrounding areas during the Olympics, with an estimated 3.3 million of these as attendees.

Preparing Paris for its largest event

The city has been preparing for the event, the largest one it has ever hosted, in a variety of ways that are expected to change the city forever, from purifying the Seine to allow for the swimming events to take place in the storied river — and even after — to increasing bike lanes to allow for greener transportation to and from the Games.

“Legacy is a very important aspect of the organization of the Olympics and was a prerequisite in Paris candidacy. The Games must have a positive impact on the territory, for its inhabitants and visitors alike,” said Menegaux. “The ambition of Paris in terms of transport is that 100% of visitors can go to the competition sites by public transport or active transport (bike for example).

“And in 2024, 100% of the competition’s sites will be accessible by bike,” she continued. “The goal of Paris 2024 is that 20% of the commute be made by bike.''

Paris is viewing its job as a host city very differently from previous Olympic host cities: Instead of building a totally new complex to host the events, its most iconic attractions, landmarks and destinations will become Olympic stadiums and arenas.
Just outside Paris, other Olympic events will take place in and near attractions such as the Palace of Versailles, which will host the equestrian games for the Olympics and the Paralympics. A selection of other events will be held across France from Bordeaux to Marseille, while the second Olympic surfing competition will take place in Teahupo’o in Tahiti.


How to be a part of the historic event
There are several ways that travelers can get involved or attend the Paris Olympics and Paralympics.
Travelers who’d like to attend can purchase tickets for specific competitions. Tickets for both the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games can be purchased now on a first-come basis. The official ticketing website also offers travel and hospitality packages offering exclusive benefits for attendees, including hotel and ticket packages.
Additionally, travelers visiting France from May 8, 2024, through to the beginning of the Paris Summer Olympics can also attend a portion of the two-month-long Olympic torch relay as it is carried across France’s most iconic natural and cultural landmarks from Olympia, Greece to Paris.