5 Important Things to Know Before Visiting Paris During the 2024 Olympics

In this article, I’ll be sharing some of the most important things to know before visiting Paris during the 2024 Olympics.

The Paris 2024 Olympics are fast approaching and if you’re planning to visit the city now, there are a few things you need to know to avoid surprises!

So what exactly should you expect if you visit Paris during the Olympics?

When Are the Paris 2024 Olympics

The first thing you need to know is the dates. The Olympics will be held from July 26 to August 11, 2024, and the Paralympic Games from August 28 to September 8, 2024.

The Opening Ceremony will be on July 26 along the Seine, making it the first ever Summer Olympics competition to have an opening ceremony outside a stadium.

While this is exciting and historic, it means that access to some parts of the Seine will be limited before and during the games.

Which Places will be Closed During the Paris 2024 Olympics?

And speaking of limited access, the Seine is not the only place that will be affected. Several places in Paris, especially where the games will be held will be closed to tourists.

For a while now, these places have been undergoing various constructions, and some of them are partly closed, while others are yet to be fully closed. These include;

Trocadero Square

This is probably where every tourist arrives first as it gives a nice view of the Eiffel Tower.

While you can still access it now at the time of writing this article, it is expected to fully close to tourists on July 16 and gradually reopen on July 27, just a day after the Opening ceremony.

Trocadéro Gardens

Just next to this square are the Trocadéro Gardens. They’re currently partly closed with just a very small area left open, but full closure is expected on July 1. It is expected to start reopening gradually on September 19.

Pont d’Iéna

Several bridges will also be limited to both vehicle traffic and pedestrians, and the first one we’ll look at is Pont d’Iéna.

If you’re not familiar with this name, it’s the bridge that connects you from the Trocadero area to the Eiffel Tower.

It will be closing to vehicle traffic on July 1 and July 16 to pedestrians. It’s expected to start reopening on August 12.

Champs de Mars

The next place that will be closing is Champs de Mars — the park where the Eiffel Tower sits. It has been almost fully closed since June 3 leaving just a small area for sitting.

So if you were excited about picnicking here with a view of the Eiffel Tower this summer, that might have to wait. You can still use the small open area, although it’s likely to be very crowded

The gradual reopening of this park is expected on September 19.

Pont Alexandre III

Another bridge that is already closed is Pont Alexandre III, the most beautiful bridge in Paris, in my opinion.

It closed to vehicle traffic on May 17 and although it’s still open to pedestrians, one side no longer offers that beautiful Eiffel Tower view we were used to.

So yeah, you can still walk on this bridge but its beauty has been taken over by construction work.

It is expected to fully reopen on September 20.

Place de la Concorde

Moving onto the right bank of the Seine, we have Place de la Concorde on the Eastern end of the Champs-Élysées.

Unfortunately, you’ll not be able to see its beautiful fountains and Obelisk as it has been closed to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic since June 1. It is however expected to gradually reopen from August 29 to October 30.

On top of these, several roads will be closed and that’s why I don’t recommend driving at all. It’s going to be so complicated figuring out which road is closed at what time and if you need a pass to access it. I’ll talk more about the pass later.

Instead, just walk whenever possible or use public transportation. If you prefer private transport, call a taxi or an Uber.

So which places will be Open?

The Pantheon in the Latin Quartre — *The Pantheon*

Despite these closures, most of the popular attractions in Paris will stay open. You’ll be able to climb the Eiffel Tower and visit the Louvre, the Orsay Museum, Montmartre, the Pantheon, and many others. Basically, any place that isn’t an Olympic Games site will stay open.

The only tricky part might be getting around. And that leads us to our next section!

How to Get Around During The Paris 2024 Olympics

As I mentioned earlier, avoid driving in Paris at all costs because it’s going to be a nightmare navigating closed roads, security parameters, and all that.

The best way to get around is on foot or using the Metro. However, some metro lines next to Olympic sites will also be closed so use apps like City Mapper, RATP, or IDF Mobiltes apps to get around.

But even on foot, some places will require a special pass, the Pass Jeux to access them.

You’ll need this pass for areas around the Seine from July 18 and 26 July 18 until 1:00 pm as this is where the Opening Day ceremony will take place.

If you won’t be in Paris within those dates, then you’re not concerned with the pass.

I have an article on how to get around Paris during the 2024 Olympics that you can check out for more details. It has everything on who needs a Pass Jeux, how to get it, and more.

Metro Price Changes

Another thing you need to know is that the metro prices will be increasing.

From July 20 until September 8, a single ride t+ ticket will increase from €2.15 to €4, and a bundle of 10 tickets will go up from €17.35 to €32. There is also a special pass known as the Paris 2024 Pass that costs €16 for a day or €70 for a week.

This pass will cover travel within the Paris region and includes travel to Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports.

This pass can be bought online and delivered to your home or picked up at various collection points, or even bought directly from the Paris 2024 Public Transport app or Île-de-France Mobilités app (IDF App).

Please note that the Navigo Découverte Travel Card and the One-Day Navigo Pass will not be available for purchase during this time.

Final Thoughts on Things to Know Before Visiting Paris During the 2024 Olympics

And that’s it, guys. I hope you found this article helpful. Visiting Paris during the 2024 Olympics will undoubtedly be a memorable experience.

However, it’s important to know the changes and restrictions to ensure your trip goes smoothly.

Don’t let these closures and restrictions deter you from coming to Paris because most of the popular attractions will be open. And even with a few minor inconveniences, I am sure you’ll still have a good time.

Check out these posts to help you plan your trip to Paris

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