The Olympics are about to kick off in Paris soon. And while in years past, the focus has been on the competitors, this year, the Olympic Games venues are set to steal the show.
From the iconic Eiffel Tower and world-renowned Champ de Mars to the Château De Versailles, jaws are set to drop in France’s City of Light for the Olympic Games.
Let’s take a look at the Olympic Games venues that, alone, are worth booking a ticket to Paris for.
THE 11 MOST ICONIC PARIS 2024 OLYMPIC GAMES VENUES
01
STADE DE FRANCE
Paris 2024 sports: Athletics, Rugby Sevens
Capacity: 77,083
Arguably France’s most well-known stadium and definitely its largest, Stade de France was built to host the 1998 men’s FIFA World Cup.
And it has served its purpose well, hosting multiple games, including the nail-biting match where Les Bleus famously won its first world championship against Brazil.
02
ROLAND-GARROS STADIUM
Paris 2024 sports: Tennis, Boxing
Capacity: 34,000
Roland-Garros Stadium has hosted the French Open for nearly a century.
The legendary sports complex, named in memory of French aviator Roland Garros, spans more than 12 hectares dotted with 18 clay courts.
03
STADE VÉLODROME
Paris 2024 sports: Football
Capacity: 67,394
The Stade Vélodrome, also known as the Orange Velodrome, was originally built for cycling events. But it has since evolved to host various sports and significant events.
Built in 1937, the stadium has hosted memorable sporting events, including the 1938 and 1998 Football World Cups and the 2016 European Football Championships.
04
PLACE DE LA CONCORDE
Paris 2024 sports: BMX Freestyle, Skateboarding, Breaking, 3X3 Basketball
Capacity: 30,000
Place de la Concorde is one of the largest and most famous public squares in Paris. Filled with rich history, the Place once served as a central stage for the French Revolution.
And it’s also held some of the nation’s biggest festivities like the victorious celebration at the end of World War I, the Liberation of Paris in World War II and even the French men’s national team taking home the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
05
PARC DES PRINCES
Paris 2024 sports: Football
Capacity: 47,926
This impressive stadium was designed by architect Roger Taillibert who also lays claim to Montreal’s Olympic Stadium.
The ‘Parc’ was built back in 1972 and has been the home of football club Paris Saint-Germain since 1974. With regular upkeep, the stadium shines as brightly today as it did back then.
06
GRAND PALAIS
Paris 2024 sports: Fencing, Taekwondo
Capacity: 8,000
The Grand Palais des Champs-Élysées, more commonly known as simply the Grand Palais, stuns with its incredible nave and glass roof in the heart of Paris.
The iconic complex, which is listed as a historic monument by the French Ministry of Culture, wears many hats. Today it serves as a museum, art gallery, exhibition and concert hall as well as a sports venue, on occasion.
07
CHÂTEAU DE VERSAILLES
Paris 2024 sports: Equestrian, Modern Pentathlon
Capacity: upwards of 40,000, depending on the event
The previous home to the court of King Louis XIV, The Château de Versailles was the first French site to ever be awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 1979.
Also known as the Palace of Versailles in English, the site will see a temporary outdoor arena erected in the heart of the Palace’s gardens, which will stage the dressage, eventing cross country and jumping competitions. The modern pentathlon events, except for the fencing ranking rounds, will also take place here.
08
CHAMP DE MARS ARENA & EIFFEL TOWER STADIUM
Paris 2024 sports: Beach Volleyball, Judo, Wrestling
Capacity: 8,356
While you might not have known its name, you’ve definitely seen this stunning greenspace before. Nestled between the Eiffel Tower on one side and the École Militaire to the other, The Champ de Mars lawns have traditionally been used as drilling and marching grounds by the French military.
The Champ de Mars Arena is a temporary structure that has been built solely for the Olympic Games and will stage the judo and wrestling competitions. However, it’s the volleyball players and spectators that will have a hard time focusing – they’ll be going for gold in the open air right beside the iconic Eiffel Tower.
09
ESPLANADE DES INVALIDES
Paris 2024 sports: Archery
Capacity: 8,000
A sprawling green space in the heart of Paris, the Esplanade des Invalides offers a stunning view of the majestic Hôtel des Invalides – a complex of buildings that nod to France’s military history.
During the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, this famous site will not only host the archery competition, but it will also serve as the finish line of a marathon.
10
TEAHUPO’O
Paris 2024 sports: Surfing
Capacity: 600
A village on the coast of Tahiti, Teahupo’o is famous for having the most amazing waves for surfing. It might seem unusual that part of the Olympic Games would be held here, but the reason why is actually pretty sound.
Teahupo’o is an island in French Polynesia. And one of Paris 2024’s goals was to spread the Games across France and engage French overseas territories and communities in the Olympics. Mission accomplished.
11
YVES-DU-MANOIR STADIUM
Paris 2024 sports: Hockey
Capacity: 15,000
First opened in 1907, the stadium was the primary arena for the Olympic Games in 1924. It did it all, hosting the athletics, cycling, horse riding, gymnastics, tennis, football, rugby and pentathlon events with ease.
But that’s not the stadium’s only claim to fame. It also hosted the final of the 1938 FIFA World Cup where Italy beat Hungary, winning its second world title.
