The Esplanade des Invalides at the Paris 2024 Games, a prime target for spectators from all over the world

Among the greatest monuments of Paris, the Invalides is a must-see for visitors. Situated in front of the Pont Alexandre III, the Esplanade will host archery, Para archery, road cycling and the Olympic and Paralympic marathons from July 27 to September 8. From unwanted to leading figure of the event, the competition venue has a clear objective in mind: to be a key venue for the Paris 2024 Games.

Right in the centre of the French capital, it's impossible to miss Les Invalides. The hotel and Esplanade, in the 7th arrondissement, face the Pont Alexandre III, and are not far from the Grand Palais, the Champs-Élysées, La Concorde, the Trocadéro and the Eiffel Tower.

This historic venue has a rather distant past from sport. Built in the 17th century under the orders of Louis XIV, the Hôtel des Invalides was intended for invalid soldiers, as its name implies, and served as a military hospital and retirement home for war veterans.

Around the building, which has since become the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte's home - and hosts museums and monuments to French military history - the ‘Pré-aux-Clercs’ was nothing more than a vast expanse of grass before it was reworked by the architect Robert de Cotte. After he drew the first lines a few centuries earlier, the meadow became the Esplanade we know today.

Left apart in previous bids, at the centre of discussions for Paris 2024

Between 1924 - the last time Paris hosted the Games - and 2024, the French capital had to endure a series of failures. In 1992, while Barcelona's bid was preferred by the IOC, the Invalides were completely ignored. Two sites were considered for the archery events: the Champ-de-Mars - the idea was finally rejected because of the difficulties involved - and the Tremblay site, which was intended to become a national centre for high-level shooters after the Games.

Thirty years later, in 2012, it was London's bid that was selected after a tough battle with Paris. Once again, the Invalides were not scheduled to host an event, and the archery competitions were planned to be held at the Auteuil Hippodrome.

It was only for the 2008 bid, when Beijing was finally chosen, that the Invalides were on the shortlist. Not for archery, which was to be staged on the Plaine de la Bagatelle, but for the modern pentathlon and equestrian events. The jumping and dressage competitions would have taken place on the Esplanade, while the eventing was left to the Longchamp Racecourse.

After 2012, Paris wanted to have a solid bid for 2024 to ensure that the Games would be held in the country. Even before the bid to host the Games was officially submitted, the Esplanade des Invalides was already being considered as the venue for archery during a presentation by the CPSF (French Paralympic and Sports Committee) in 2015. As the tests were conclusive, the initial choice was never changed.

Leaving no trace after the Paris 2024 Games

As every temporary venues like those in the centre of Paris, everything has been done to ensure a total respect of the biodiversity and to preserve the infrastructure. Les Invalides make no exception, and various techniques have been put in place to achieve this:

• As with all temporary structures, wood was chosen for almost half of the spectator areas. As a sustainable and ideal low-carbon material, the wood used for these structures comes from sustainably managed French forests. Temporary structures have been rent and will be reused at other events
• To keep outdoor infrastructures safe, you need ballast, which is usually made from concrete pouring specifically for the occasion. For Paris 2024, we wanted to avoid producing concrete, which is why part of the ballast is provided by re-used train sleepers
• Much less carpet was needed for this site than for other editions of the Games or major events. On the scale of the Games, compared with standard event practices, almost 50,000m2 less carpet was used - the equivalent of 5 football pitches! Instead, high-quality, reusable flooring was used

• 100% of the drinks distributed to spectators, journalists, volunteers and members of the Paris 2024 team are served from fountains or returnable glass bottles, in order to avoid single-use plastic bottles
• As well as being an historical Parisian site, Les Invalides are also an island of biodiversity. Many trees are present and have been protected from the start of the works. To limit soil compaction, protections have also been installed in areas of heavy pedestrian traffic
• The ‘chill zone’ has been designed for the spectators comfort, but also for the site's animal species, particularly birds
• Coolness oases have been installed for spectators, with vegetation, shaded areas and misters to cool down under the heat, while reducing the need for air conditioning, which has a high carbon impact
• In order to avoid the use of fossil fuels for the Games and events over the long term, the Place de la Concorde, the Champ de Mars and the Trocadéro have been equipped with terminals that allow them to use mains electricity, rather than diesel-powered generators

Despite having little experience, the Esplanade des Invalides is ready to host the Paris 2024 Games

The association between sport and history may not be the most obvious when it comes to Les Invalides, but the Esplanade is a more than a logical choice to host the archery and Para archery events. This was confirmed after the full-scale test carried out last year, when the world's best archers gathered there to compete in a World Cup event.

With no fewer than 8,000 seats available to watch the events, on the two wings lining the archery line, the Esplanade des Invalides was also chosen for a major reason: its location. Thanks to its north-south orientation, it guarantees perfect competition conditions, with athletes never having the sun in their eyes at any time of the day.

Bordered by trees on its west and east sides, the 12-hectare park is sure to be a central point of these Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. With more than 15 gold medals awarded in archery, Para archery, road cycling and the Olympic and Paralympic marathons at the Invalides, the venue is going to be a great meeting place, while staying one of the most emblematic sites in Paris.