Paris 2024! We are exactly 91 days away from the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, the French capital, which has always been a reference in fashion, gastronomy and tourist attractions that attract the attention of the planet, is becoming the Olympic scene every day. And everything, or almost everything in a different way than what normally happens in host cities, where new structures are built or rebuilt to host the games.
In the case of Paris, the competitions will take place in temporary arenas set up in some of the most important places in France. For example, the beach volleyball arena is at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, one of the most visited places in the world, and the equestrian arena is in the gardens of the Palace of Versailles, which was the home of the former French monarchy. In other words: the Olympic Games, which will take place from July 26th to August 11th, will be an extra attraction in an extensive list of reasons that attract more than 40 million tourists every year.
If you have plans to travel to support Brazilian athletes in competitions, forget the idea that public security works in Europe. With the growing and disorderly wave of immigration, insecurity is everywhere, in the same way as in Brazil – Paris, always fascinating, has become a paradise for scammers – as portrayed in this article from December 2023. When entering the subway you already notice something Brazilian reality when the sound system asks passengers to be alert to the risk of having their belongings stolen.
But, already thinking about your trip to Paris, we have prepared a list of tips from the VamosLatam website about interesting places for you to visit during the Olympic Games:
There is no way to visit Paris and not pass by the Eiffel Tower. To go up and enjoy one of the most iconic views of the city, you pay between US$ 13 and US$ 119. On the way to the tower, there is the Champ de Mars, a park that extends to the surroundings of the well-known monument. This historic site will be the epicenter of judo and wrestling competitions during the Olympics, and will host a temporary stadium for beach volleyball games. Admiring Paris from above, from the top of the tower, is incredible, but how about seeing the city from another angle? It is well worth crossing the Seine on a tourist cruise. Navigating the waters of the Parisian river costs from US$12.
Paris was the protagonist of countless historical events and they were immortalized in hundreds of works of art. It is no surprise that the city’s museums are so important so that visitors can actually learn more about how France, French society and Europe in general were formed. Therefore, it is worth taking advantage of its great free museums. The Paris Village Museum of Fine Arts offers several extraordinary exhibitions without charging admission. Ceilings and corridors are lined with art and history. You can take a walk in the local garden and also have lunch at the café – the meal costs, on average, 16 euros per person.
The famous Musée d’Orsay reserves the first Sunday of each month to welcome visitors free of charge. However, you must book in advance online. It’s a unique opportunity to see (for free!) the works of masters like Monet, Renoir and Manet. Another great free option, Casa de Victor Hugo preserves writings, works of art that the writer collected during his life and his room in the former residence of the author of Les Miserables.
On the occasion of the Olympic Games, some iconic locations in the French capital will offer much more than history. One of them, the Grand Palais, which was in the process of being restored, will once again open its doors to fencing and taekwondo competitions. The imposing palace, which features a striking glass roof, is located close to the Champs-Elysées. The space hosts various exhibitions, cultural events and it is possible to visit its beautiful garden.
Another palace that will offer its facilities to the competition is the famous Palace of Versailles, where equestrian competitions and the modern pentathlon will take place. To the delight of tourists, the famous Apollo fountain that adorns the site’s wonderful gardens is back in operation. And if these tours make you more curious and interested in getting to know the country’s culture without going too far from Paris, the birthplace of the French Renaissance is just over 200 km from the capital.
The Loire Valley is the perfect fairytale setting. Around 300 châteaux that in the past housed the country’s royalty among gardens and vineyards form a unique landscape. This is where the most diverse wines in France are produced. In addition to the castles, it was this wine-making vein that made the valley famous. For decades, tourists from all over the world have been cycling through its fields, from bodega to bodega, tasting the best French terroir.
It’s worth including Château de Rivau, a 15th century building famous for its organic gardens, on the route. You can either stay or have a meal there and try practically unknown varieties of regional vegetables, such as violet celery or one of the 43 colorful pumpkin options. To reach the Loire Valley from Paris, simply take a train to cities such as Blois, Orléans, Nantes or Amboise, on a journey that takes between one and two hours. It is also possible to take day tours departing from the capital.
