One year to go until Paris 2024: Things to do in the host city
A city rich in history, culture and art, Paris will host the 33rd Olympic Games. Find out what to do in the city and discover its best attractions just a year before the Olympics.
Rich in culture, art, history and romance, Paris, the city that will host the 2024 Summer Olympics in a year, is an experience like no other.
The French capital has previously hosted the Olympics in 1900 and 1924 and with the Summer Games caravan heading back to the City of Light after a century, Paris will become only the second city to host the Olympics three times after London, which did so in 1908, 1948 and 2012.
On 24 July, the Paris 2024 celebration sites were unveiled, including the Champions Park, which will be a meeting location for all sports fans around the world to celebrate athletes’ achievements and medals.
And next year, the world will either be in Paris or have its eyes firmly on the picturesque city for the 33rd edition of the Olympic Summer Games.
Besides the sporting spectacle on show, visiting the French capital for the Paris 2024 Olympics will also be a great opportunity for fans to soak in the diverse sights, sounds and flavours the historic city has to offer.
With only one year to go until Paris 2024, here are a few things you can do in Paris.
Visit the iconic Eiffel Tower
One of the most recognisable landmarks in the world, the Eiffel Tower needs no introduction. No trip to Paris is complete without a visit to the iconic structure and an evening view of the City of Light from the top on a breezy Paris evening is breathtaking.
Admire the Mona Lisa at the Louvre and other iconic art museums
Paris is famous for its patronage of art and its proof is scattered throughout the city in the form of museums and art galleries housing irreplaceable pieces of art - both historic and modern.
The Musee Marmottan Monet, an art museum dedicated to renowned 18th-century French artist Claude Monet, and the Musee d'Art Moderne de Paris, housing modern art from contemporary maestros like Raoul Dufy and Gaston Suisse are highly recommended.
However, the crown jewel of Paris’ hallowed halls of art is the iconic Louvre Museum housed in the Louvre Palace premises on the right bank of the river Seine. Among the 40,000-odd exhibits on display at the Louvre, the world’s most-visited museum, are some of the most coveted pieces of art. It includes Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo and Winged Victory of Samothrace and the ancient Greek sculptures from the Hellenistic period (323 to 30 BCE).
You can also visit the Centre Pompidou (also known as Beaubourg), dedicated to modern and contemporary art, at the very centre of Paris or Musée d'Orsay, with an outstanding collection of Impressionism paintings, including Monet, Renoir and Cezanne pieces.
Quai Branly museum, located at the feet of Eiffel Tower, has a unique collection of art from non-European civilisations.
See the Notre Dame Cathedral and other architectural wonders
Art is abundant in Paris and one doesn’t need to visit a museum to enjoy it in the city. Even a walk through the streets of Paris presents some magnificent visual splendours for art lovers in the form of iconic works of architecture, which include the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Palace and museum.
With other historical architecture such as Arc de Triomphe, Sacré-Cœur Basilica or Palace of Versailles (outside Paris) Paris and its surrounding area has a lot to offer.
A can't-miss recommendation would be the Notre Dame Cathedral built in the 1300s. Also called the Notre Dame de Paris, which translates to Our Lady of Paris, it is one of the most stunning examples of Gothic architecture still standing today.
A devastating fire in 2019 seriously damaged the cathedral but it is still a sight to behold, even though for now, visitors are not allowed inside because of the repair work.
Like the Dame, the iconic Champs Elysees avenue is also a must-see in Paris.
Take a cruise on the river Seine
The river Seine is the lifeline of Paris. It flows through the heart of the city and divides it equally into the left and right banks.
A cruise on the Seine on a Bateau-mouche (“fly boats”, literally translated, with “fly” referring to the insect) is a perfect way to experience Paris from a new perspective and it’s highly recommended that you time your ride during the sunset to see the city drenched in orange.
Sports history enthusiasts will also like to remember that Switzerland’s Helene de Pourtales sailed her boat, Lerina, on the same river Seine to become the first-ever women’s Olympic champion in 1900.
Shopping for fashion - perhaps pick up some Phrygian caps
Paris exudes class and elegance and fashion is a big part of the culture in the city. One of the fashion capitals of the world, Paris is a fashion-lover's paradise.
Pick up the latest in fashion in high-street shops from various renowned brands in the Louvre and Tuileries district, visit the luxury boutiques housed in Les Arcades or dig around for hidden vintage gems at the several Paris flea markets, including the iconic Saint-Ouen.
While you're at it, why not pick up some Phrygian caps - a type of hat symbolic of the French revolution which inspired the design for the Phyrges, the mascots of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Catch a Paris Opera show at the Palais Garnier
Open since the 1960s, the Paris Opera is the primary opera and ballet company of France and the body is credited with making classical ballet what it is today.
For any music lover, a Paris Opera show at the iconic Palais Garnier is a must on the Paris bucket list.
Savour the tastes of Paris
Paris isn’t just a treat to the eyes and ears. Spoil your taste buds with the various masterful dishes available in Paris.
The city boasts some magnificent bakeries where you can nibble on a baguette (traditional French bread), croissant or some tasty desserts.
For a proper meal, choose any of the several Michelin-star restaurants the city has to offer. Picturesque local delis and various street food markets present a different gastronomic experience in the wining and dining capital of the world.
Pilgrimage to the Parc des Princes Stadium
For any football lover, a visit to Paris is incomplete without a pilgrimage to the Parc des Princes - the home to city club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and a stadium where Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé played together from 2021 to 2023. It will also host football matches during Olympic Games Paris 2024.
A short drive from the football stadium will also get you to the Velodrome de Vincennes - the main Stadium for the 1900 Paris Olympics.
This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what Paris has to offer. Visiting Paris Disneyland, the mysterious Paris catacombs and various beautifully-maintained public parks like Bois de Vincennes and Bois de Boulogne, both of which served as venues for the 1900 Summer Games, are just some of the other recommended attractions to check out in Paris.
So, what are you waiting for?
Book your Paris 2024 tickets and hospitality packages now and experience the upcoming Summer Games in the City of Light.