How To Enjoy The Olympics Vibe in Paris For Free
I am not a big sports fan in my everyday life. I mean I used to be when I was younger, but that changed as I grew up. (Why? I still don’t know, but that’s a story for another day.)
However, when the Olympics come around, I seem to become the most patriotic person ever.
And now that the Olympics are hosted right here in Paris, I am even more invested than ever!
I watched the opening ceremony on TV from beginning to end (there are still many discussions about this, so head to my TikTok video and tell me what you think).
So far, I’ve watched more games on TV than any other Olympic tournament, and I am honestly enjoying it.
I also have paid tickets to two upcoming games and a free ticket that I luckily got from my town hall, and I am super excited about them. I’ll definitely be sharing more details about them in the coming days.
However, I know that not everyone has the opportunity to watch the games live, so in this article, I wanted to share how you can enjoy the Olympic vibes in Paris for free.
How to Enjoy The Olympic Season In Paris For Free
1. See Olympic Medalists at Parc des Champions
I went to Parc des Champions located at the Trocadero Square, and what an ambiance! You get a chance to see some of the Olympics medal winners of the previous day up close as they celebrate their wins with the fans.
There is also music, DJ sets, food, and drinks, albeit overpriced, and you get to feel the Olympic vibe with thousands of others. And it’s completely free.
It will be running from July 29 to August 10, from 4:00 PM to 11:30 PM, though it closes on some days, so check the official website before you go.
2. Watch the Cauldron at Jardin des Tuileries
If you watched the opening ceremony, there is no way you missed seeing the iconic Olympic Cauldron.
To be honest, this was one of my favorite moments of the entire ceremony, alongside Celine Dion’s beautiful closing performance.
Luckily, you can still see the Cauldron up close. It will be on display every day until August 11 from 11:00 am. It also rises 60 meters in the air from 10: 00 pm until 2:00 am, which is absolutely magical.
You should, however, note that if there is a storm, it may not rise, which was the case, the day I went.
You can visit it for free without a ticket ( though you’ll stay outside the barricaded area), but if you want to go up close, you’ll need to reserve a ticket, which is also free.
It gets crowded, so I recommend arriving earlier, especially if you want to watch the sunset behind it and also see it rise at 10 PM.
And in case you’re wondering, it’s actually not real fire. It uses a combination of light and water to create the flame effect.
3. Visit the Fan Zone at Hôtel de Ville
While you can watch the games on your couch at home, if you want the Olympic vibe, then definitely check out La Terrasse des Jeux at Hôtel de Ville in the heart of Paris. It’s open from 10 AM to midnight until September 11, though it will be closed on some days, so check the official website before your visit.
This one is completely free without any reservations. Besides showing live games on big screens, they also host lots of fun activities you can participate in, from dance lessons, workout sessions, and live music to many cultural activities. It’s definitely worth visiting.
4. Visit Olympic Houses For Different Countries
During the entire Olympic season, several countries have set up places to showcase their culture through food, music, fashion, and art, so this is your chance to get a glimpse of other cultures right here in Paris.
Some of them include the India House, Korea House, Peru House, and many others. Entrance to a number of them is free, although some have an entry fee and a few are invite only. Just check each house’s website for more details.
Also, if you want to see many at once, I recommend visiting La Villette in the 19th arrondissement, the official Parc des Nations (Nations park) with over 15 Nation houses. You can get the details about each house in La Villette here.
Final Thoughts on How To Enjoy The Olympics Vibe For Free
And that’s it for today! I hope this article helped bring a piece of the Olympics to you, and if you’re in Paris, make sure you attend at least one or two events. And share the article with someone who might find it helpful.
Check out these posts to help you plan your trip to Paris
- The Ultimate Paris Bucket List
- How to get around Paris during the Olympics
- Things to know before visiting Paris during the Olympics
- Big Mistakes to Avoid in Paris
- What Not to Wear in Paris
- Important Things to Know Before Traveling to Paris
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