Paris 2024 Olympics: Club France is already celebrating on the first day of the Games

Club France, the home of France's supporters in the magnificent Parc de la Villette, north of Paris, officially opened its doors on Saturday 27 July. Here's a report.

On Saturday 27 July, the first official day of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Club France, located in the Parc de la Villette, made itself available to the public. The day after a majestic opening ceremony, the home of the Equipe de France is offering its supporters a magnificent experience for €5.

If the capricious weather doesn't allow the CNOSF teams to fully set up their rich and varied programme of outdoor sporting activities, as planned every day until 11 August, discovering the Grande Halle is a slap in the face. As you enter, you find yourself face to face with a huge space filled with people from all walks of life. Above all, as you enter the Parc des Nations, you are immediately immersed in the Olympic atmosphere, with an impressive line-up of national teams: Brazil, Canada, Slovenia, Slovakia, Mexico, South Africa, Colombia and Serbia are all represented.

Entrance to Club France - which, as host country, reserves the lion's share of space for itself - is via the national media studios. Visitors can get up close and personal with live broadcasts from RFI, France Inter and France Télévisions. In the Grande Halle, there's a whole hodgepodge of stands. From the regions to the partners, from innovative companies to sports demonstrations, there's something for everyone. Of course, there are also food stands offering a wide range of products.

An XXL screen to thrill

But then you're only at the entrance to the Grande Halle. The public is already there. Inside, you'll find other stands, but as you enter the full length of the building, it's almost like another world. The sporting events of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games are being shown on a giant XXL screen. Connected to Eurosport (judo, fencing and swimming when we were there), the official broadcaster of the competition, it allows hundreds of people to watch the exploits of Les Bleus. All this just a few metres from the franceinfo: and RMC studios, hosted by Maxine Eouzan and next to a huge podium, called the Walk of Fame by the organisers, which cuts the hall in two.

Its purpose? To allow French medallists to parade in the parade following their Olympic exploits. It's an obligation they are under... but one they wouldn't refuse under any circumstances.

The atmosphere promises to be majestic for the exploits of Les Bleus

There are also guests on the programme at Club France. This Saturday lunchtime, for example, Hélène Lefebvre, former Olympic rower, came to debrief the superb morning performances of Les Bleus on the Vaires-sur-Marne lake. "Everyone is ready and prepared to have a great Games", she explained.

In the afternoon and evening, with the final of Antoine Dupont's French sevens rugby team, the fencing and judo bouts and the swimming medal races, the atmosphere promises to be fantastic. There will also be concerts every day at the end of the day, including one by Bob Sinclar on the opening Saturday evening. It has to be said that the Olympic Games at home are a once-in-a-lifetime experience. So why not make the most of it?