What To Do During the Olympics in Paris?

This 2024, the Olympic Games return to Paris after 100 years and for the third time in history. The whole city is getting ready to host this once-in-a-lifetime event, and as Paris comes alive with anticipation, you might be wondering what events and activites it has in store for you to enjoy during this once-in-lifetime event. Luckily, you came to the right place!

Whether you’re in Paris to enjoy the Olympics, the Paralympics, or both, we’ve got you covered! Theatre in Paris have taken the liberty of preparing you a spectacular list of activities to indulge in this summer in the French capital to make your visit even better! Whether you’re in search of a simple breather from the Olympic Games or hope to discover France’s rich culture, we’ve got your back!

The Olympic Games in Paris

(From July 26th to August 11th, 2024)

To kick off the games on July 26th, the Olympics will start on a high note with a groundbreaking opening ceremony on the Seine! For the first time in modern history, the ceremony won’t take place in a stadium, but rather on the picturesque banks of the Seine itself and within the heart of the city. In classic Olympics style, this ceremony promises to be appropriately breathtaking…complete with such dazzling scenery, you won’t want to miss this one-of-a-kind experience!

This change will make the opening ceremony much more accessible! While the lower quays will be reserved for ticket holders, access to the upper quays will be completely free to the general public. That means locals and visitors alike in the City of Lights can enjoy this incredible display! Big screens will also be set up along the quays so that no one misses any part of the ceremony.

r For the duration of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, several infrastructures all over Paris will be used for the various competitions:

• • The Seine riverbanks: From the Champs-Elysées to the Place de la Concorde, the Seine will serve as the backdrop to the opening and closing ceremonies of both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
• • The Centre of Paris: Some of Paris’s most iconic locations, such as the Champs-Elysées, the Grands Palais, and the Seine, will be used for events like triathlon, beach volleyball, and urban sports.
• • The Palace of Versailles: This gorgeous historical palace will host the Olympic Games’ horse riding events.
• • The Parc des Princes: The Parc des Princes stadium will host football games.
• • The Roland-Garros Stadium: The renowned clay courts will host the tennis events.
• • Vaires-sur-Marne: This venue, located in Seine-et-Marne (not far from Paris’s centre) will host the canoeing, kayak, and rowing events.
• • La Défense: Paris’s bustling business district will host the swimming and water polo events.
• • Le Bourget: This city, renowned for its art deco air and space museum, will host the games’ climbing events.
• • The Paris ring-road: A part of the ring-road surrounding Paris will be transformed into a track for the road cycling events.
• • The Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome: This velodrome will welcome the track cycling events.
• For more information, check out the official website for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games!

The Paralympic Games

(From August 28th to September 8th, 2024)

In line with the Olympic Games, the Paralympics also promises a series of incredible competitions and groundbreaking ceremonies. It starts from August 28th with an outstanding ceremony in the heart of Paris, wherein the athletes will parade down the Champs-Élysées, one of the most beautiful avenues in the world, up to Place de la Concorde.

If you thought this ceremony couldn’t be any more spectacular, , we are pleased to tell you that it will also be accessible! Inclusion is THE motto of both the Olympic and the Paralympic Games, and as such everything is designed to welcome as many spectators as possible under the best possible conditions. Free tickets will also be available down the Champs-Élysées.

The Paralympics are a greatway to enjoy the Olympic atmosphere in Paris. If you don’t have your seats yet, it’s not too late! There are still tickets left to ensure that you have an incredible Olympic experience…

Click here for more information!

What shows can I see during the Olympics ?

If you plan on visiting Paris to see the Olympic Games, then you might be wondering what else is in store in France’s capital when the athletes are taking a break from greatness. Why not make the most of your visit to Paris by going to see a show accessible to English-speakers?! Paris has a lot to offer, from extravagant cabarets to jazz concerts and one-man-shows. We have prepared a list of our favourite shows playing during the Olympic Games accessible to English-speakers, check it out!

CABARETS IN PARIS

• • Paris je t’aime, a cabaret show at La Nouvelle Ève (Until October 26th, 2024)
• • Paradis Latin Cabaret Show (Playing all year round)
• • Crazy Horse Cabaret show (Playing all year round)
• • Le Cabaret Burlesque at La Nouvelle Seine (Playing all year round)

THEATRE SHOWS IN PARIS

• • Ionesco Package: The Bald Soprano and The Lesson, two plays at Théâtre de la Huchette (Playing all year round)

CONCERTS IN PARIS

• • Sainte-Chapelle Concert Series (Playing all year round)
• • La Madeleine Church Concert Series (Playing all year round)
• • Piano Passion Concerts, classical piano concerts at Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre Church< (Playing all year round)
• • Candlelight Concert Series at Saint-Ephrem Church (Playing all year round)

JAZZ IN PARIS

• • Baiser Salé Jazz Club, gypsy and caribbean jazz concerts (Playing all year round)
• • Sunset Sunside Jazz Club, acoustic and electric jazz concerts (Playing all year round)

STAND-UP IN PARIS

• • How to Become a Parisian in One Hour, a one-man-show in English at the Théâtre des Nouveautés (Playing all year round)
• • Oh My God She’s Parisian, a stand-up show in English at Théâtre Bo Saint-Martin (Playing all year round)

What is there to do in Paris during the Olympics?

Many people will come to Paris for the Olympic Games this summer. As a result, the city will be quite crowded, and some public areas used to host the competitions will also be closed. The Champ de Mars, the Champs-Élysées, and the banks of the Seine (closed as early as mid-June) are among these places that will be near impossible to access.
That being said, it will still be possible to visit Paris and avoid the crowds! An incredibly diverse and exciting city, Paris promises much more than just the highlights you find on a postcard. Take it in your stride and discover Paris in a new light!

Here are a few places to visit in Paris during the Olympics:

• • The Catacombs, a hair-raising maze made out of bones in the undergrounds of Paris (Open year round, but book well in advance!)
• • Chinatown, discover the multicultural wonder of Paris in its charming 13th arrondissement. (Open all year round)
• • Les puces de Saint-Ouen, a gathering of antique dealers and bric-a-brac traders make for a perfect stroll - you might even find some bargains! (Open all year round)
• • Museums at night — an amazing way to discover the Parisian museums collections in the peace and quiet of nighttime. (Open all year round on certain days)
• • The parc de Sceaux, a beautiful French-style park where you can wander far from the city’s hustle and bustle. (Open all year round)

What can I visit outside of Paris to escape the Olympics?

If you want to take a little break from your Olympic visit, not to worry! France has a lot to offer outside of Paris. From Île-de-France to Normandy, there will be something to your taste. Exploring France’s diverse communes and cities is the perfect way to take a breather before throwing yourself back into the competition!

Here are a few ideas of places to visit outside of Paris:

• • The Rambouillet forest — a beautiful forest near Paris, perfect for enjoying a peaceful and quiet walk. Accessible by train.
• • Normandy — a stunning region boasting diverse landscapes and host of landmarks to see, from the Etretat cliff to the D-Day beaches and Deauville. Accessible by train.
• • The Palace of Versailles — a stunning palace offering Night Fountains Shows and light exhibitions during the summer. Accessible by train.
• • The Thoiry Zoo Safari — a 380-hectare zoo which hosts up to 1500 animals. Accessible by RER.
• • Chartres Cathedral — a beautiful cathedral overlooking the medieval city of Chartres and its cobblestoned streets. Accessible by train.

Craving a trip off the beaten track?
Discover the Aix-en-Provence’s beloved Festival d’Art Lyrique!

(From July 3rd — 23rd, 2024)

If you’re in search of an escape from the masses that will be in attendance in Paris this 2024 Olympic Games, you’re surely not alone! Better yet - there is a host of incredible activities available to you beyond the games’ reach. The Festival d’Aix-en-Provence is one such event at your disposal - situated in the idyllic south of France, this annual festival is a veritable celebration of all things operatic. A must-see for initiated opera fans and first-timers alike, there’s something for everyone here… discover its diverse programme for yourself!

Read on for a hand-picked selection of the very best shows on offer this festival, courtesy of Theatre in Paris!

• • Madama Butterfly, a famous opera about the false hope and tragic love between a young Japanese geisha and an American officer, playing at the Théâtre de l’Archevêché (July 8th — 22nd, 2024)
• • Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria, a baroque opera based on The Odyssey, playing at the Théâtre du Jeu de Paume (July 19th — 23rd, 2024)
• • Pelléas et Mélisande, an opera with an intense love story that takes place in a mysterious and fantastical kingdom, playing at the Grand Théâtre de Provence (July 5th — 16th, 2024)

No matter what you choose to see during the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, you’re sure to make memories! Be sure to check out our website to plan your visit to Paris!

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