Paris Olympic 2024
Even for tourists, Paris undoubtedly remains a top destination. A city of romance, ancient architecture, and flourishing art and science, it is a dream getaway for fashionistas and croissant lovers. This year, it is also the host of the 2024 Summer Olympics. Before we explore its grandiosity, let’s visit some key tourist attractions, many of which will become venues for various sports competitions. Get ready to be amazed and…Bienvenue en France!
Louvre Museum: A World-class Landmark
Let’s start with the largest, oldest, and most famous glass pyramid building in the world. The place showcases artworks from prehistory to the 19th century. The original building was a royal palace during the Capetian dynasty and later was made a museum after the French Revolution under King Louis XVI that has received the largest visitors in the world.
Every exhibit here is a priceless masterpiece reflecting the rich history of art and science in different eras. Highlights include the Mona Lisa, one of Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic oil paintings located on the first floor. There is hardly any moment the spot is not packed with visitors as everyone wants to ‘meet’ her in person. On the lower floor, you’ll find the famous marble sculpture, Winged Victory of Samothrace from the Hellenistic period of Greece, created around 300 BC to commemorate the Greek victory at Samothrace. There’s also the 2,000-year-old sculpture of Venus de Milo, the goddess of love, regarded as the world’s most beautiful female sculpture, along with more than 35,000 other significant pieces in good condition.
The Seine River of Paris
The Seine, a major river flowing through Paris, lovingly adds romantic touch to the world’s most romantic city particularly in the evenings with mild weather. Singles be warned, do not stay here for too long.
Shortly after the stroll, we headed to the magnificent structure by the Seine: Notre-Dame Cathedral. After the fire, it has been undergoing major renovations since. While the interior is still closed, most of the exterior construction coverings have been removed. The good news is that the cathedral will be reopened to tourists in December this year.
Not far away is Sainte-Chapelle, a historic Gothicstyle chapel built in 1862. Inside, it features 1,113 stained glass windows depicting scenes from the Bible, creating an indescribable beauty when sunlight shines through.
After soaking in the architecture, it’s time to enjoy traditional French cuisine at Bouillon Chartie, a restaurant that has been around for over 120 years old. Must-try dishes are Escargots and Duck Confit with Baby Potatoes. Do not leave without trying vanilla ice cream puff with hot chocolate. The taste is truly worth the price.
A Visit to the Eiffel Tower
When talking about France, the first image that conjures up is the Eiffel Tower, a landmark iron structure towering 212 meters high, designed by Gustave Eiffel. We strongly recommend you make an online reservation as it helped us skip the long queue and headed inside quite early.
On the first floor, you’ll find rotating exhibits, an archive, a café, and a restaurant serving locally sourced food, with a glass floor offering unique views below. For fantastic panoramic views of Paris, go to the second floor. There, you will get to marvel at the sight of the Seine, Louvre Museum, Montmartre district, and the Paris sky.
Shopping on Champs-Elysees
Champs-Élysées, also known as the world’s most beautiful shopping street, is lined with chestnut trees trimmed into bushes. This area is home to renowned luxury retailers, high-end brandname stores, and numerous starred restaurants and chic cafés. Recently, the French government has announced its plan to expand the sidewalks and add more green spaces to cater to more visitors.
The Transformation for the 2024 Summer Olympics
Unlike previous Olympic hosts, which built new venues from scratch, often incurring significant costs for grandeur, the 2024 Paris Olympics will utilize iconic landmarks instead. Since France took over from Japan in 2020, it’s clear that they won’t be outdone by previous hosts. Let’s just say that the French have truly gone all out with their competition venues.
The opening ceremony will feature athletes sailing on the Seine through the heart of Paris to light the Olympic torch at Trocadéro Square, with the Eiffel Tower as the backdrop. Venues include “Eiffel Tower Stadium” for beach volleyball, “Grand Palais” for indoor sports like fencing and taekwondo, and “Place de la Concorde” for basketball, breaking (newly added to the Olympics), skateboarding, and BMX cycling. The majestic “Palace of Versailles” will host equestrian events and modern pentathlon. The Seine will be upgraded for water quality, with a 100-meter running track and triathlon events, including swimming in the river.
Next, we have the “Stade de France,” the largest sports stadium in France, with a capacity of up to 81,300 spectators. The stands are covered by a roof, while the central playing field is open. This stadium, featuring contemporary architecture, will host rugby and athletics events this time. The running track has been revamped with a striking purple design.
Lastly, let’s talk about the athletes’ village, which has been newly designed and constructed to create a community after the games conclude. The village is located in the city of Saint-Denis, near the waterfront. It focuses on sustainability, integrating with the community and the city’s landscape, emphasizing long-term sustainability.
Paris is set to host an extraordinary Olympics. If you’re visiting Paris this July, don’t forget to set aside some extra time. With all the attractions, foods, and spectacular Olympic events, you wouldn’t want to miss out and might even regret not having enough time.
Finally, let’s wish all the athletes good luck!
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