The Château de Versailles (also known as the Palace of Versailles), an iconic symbol illustrating France’s global reputation, will welcome the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2024 to a magnificent setting with a rich history. Initially built as a simple hunting lodge, the Château de Versailles was home to the court of Louis XIV in 1682 and became the epicentre of French royalty. In 1883, the site became a national museum open to the public and was the first French site to be awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 1979.
Thanks to overlay facilities, certain Paris 2024 events will be staged in a truly exceptional and historic setting at the palace. A temporary outdoor arena, flanked by several stands, will be set up on the Etoile Royale esplanade to the west of the Grand Canal at the heart of the palace’s gardens. This arena will stage two eventing disciplines (dressage test and jumping), as well as the jumping and dressage competitions (Olympic and Paralympic). The individual and team eventing cross-country section will be held alongside the Grand Canal, while the five modern pentathlon events will also be organized at the Château de Versailles.
Legacy
At the end of the Games, the temporary facilities at the palace will be dismantled. The Château de Versailles will continue to be a world-renowned cultural site welcoming millions of visitors each year.